Racism in Nursing

[eastcoastrn586]

Does anyone feel like they are discriminated against because of their race? I feel like that most days at work. Favoritism given to nurses of a certain race. It is a big problem in nursing and one that nurses need to talk about. When nursing leadership discriminates based on your race, what can nurses do about it? We know it happens and we know it's against the law but why do so many still get away with it?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

It is funny how some of the most vocal people on race are some of the most privileged and unaffected as well.

There is definitely racism in nursing. Just because one doesn't see it, it doesn't mean it isn't there. I see it quite frequently when it comes to promotions, job selections and teamwork. The least qualified white candidates getting their dream jobs right out of school while nurses of color are turned away and told they need years of experience to work in a particular specialty.

I have dealt with it personally. Fortunately, I have found a job where everyone is treated fairly, but at my other job, it is fairly obvious with the lack of diversity and clique-like exclusive behavior that race and even gender play a bigger factor in job promotions, etc than merit.

I imagine in red, less progressive areas of the country it is worse.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Whoa! Hostile much?

Racism (and sexism) exist in our society, and I'm sure that they exist in nursing, also. But (strangely like bullying) they don't exist to the extent that many claim they do. In fact, the complaints of racism I've seen are almost exclusively from folks who are trying to get special priveleges that NO ONE else gets. ("They told me I couldn't take an hour for lunch right at noon; they're being racist." "They wouldn't let me take every Sunday off; they're being racist.") Or from folks trying to get out of work.

I've seen blatant racism from PATIENTS -- but not from my colleagues. North, south, east or west, I've never seen it. And here's a thing -- those folks who are complaining about racism in assignments, breaks, schedules, etc.? Their colleagues of the same race will say that they're "just playing the race card when there's nothing racist about it." It could very well be that there have been a few incidents of racism and I've been totally oblivious.

I'm sure that is the case. It is hard to see racism when you (general) are not the target. Like I haven't seen anti-Semitism but then again, I'm not Jewish. Doesn't mean it isn't there. I also haven't experienced homophobia or Islamophobia, but I am not gay or Muslim. Doesn't mean such discrimination doesn't exist.

I get tired of having to defend my experiences against so-called colored-blind people who live in some surreal kumbaya state where racism and every other ism doesn't exist. It does.

As for wanting special treatment, I don't want that nor would I be comfortable receiving it. I just want to be treated like everyone else and not feel like an island of a person.

[EaglesWings21, ASN, RN]

As a white woman, I didn't realize there was so much racism in the world until I became a nurse, but the majority I have witnessed was from patients. And it wasn't just towards black people, but anyone who wasn't white. I have seen to a lesser extent racism against whites. Unforunately it is a problem that some people have and all you can do really is call them out on it when you see it.

[Crystal-Wings, LVN]

I'm sure that is the case. It is hard to see racism when you (general) are not the target. Like I haven't seen anti-Semitism but then again, I'm not Jewish. Doesn't mean it isn't there. I also haven't experienced homophobia or Islamophobia, but I am not gay or Muslim. Doesn't mean such discrimination doesn't exist.

I get tired of having to defend my experiences against so-called colored-blind people who live in some surreal kumbaya state where racism and every other ism doesn't exist. It does.

As for wanting special treatment, I don't want that nor would I be comfortable receiving it. I just want to be treated like everyone else and not feel like an island of a person.

off topic, but I've been trying to PM you to respond to your last PM, but it says your mailbox is full!

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Let's agree that this is a subject that affects everyone differently so the responses will heavily be based on that.

[Crystal-Wings, LVN]

Yes. In nursing school, I was the only white student.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Let's agree that this is a subject that affects everyone differently so the responses will heavily be based on that.

I'm white; the last 15 years ago, whites are distinctly in the minority where I work. Wish I had a dollar for every time I've been called a "fat white *itch".

[neuron]

What I cannot come to terms with is when people say that people are racist in the south. Everyone is a racist in the south including blacks. Everyone is blind when it comes to their own race being racist. Here, although not technically the south whites are equally as friendly to African Americans as African Americans are to Caucasians, it just doesn't exist the way the history books say (there's the occasional idiot that makes the news). I am constantly targeted at work, as being one of the only 'whites' for not 'helping'. I'd probably pass out with as much work they have us do. For the most part, no one 'hates' the other, everyone is friendly.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

What I cannot come to terms with is when people say that people are racist in the south. Everyone is a racist in the south including blacks. Everyone is blind when it comes to their own race being racist. Here, although not technically the south whites are equally as friendly to African Americans as African Americans are to Caucasians, it just doesn't exist the way the history books say (there's the occasional idiot that makes the news). I am constantly targeted at work, as being one of the only 'whites' for not 'helping'. I'd probably pass out with as much work they have us do. For the most part, no one 'hates' the other, everyone is friendly.

Why are you talking about races of people as if all black people or all white people act the same way?

As for the south being racist, have you taken a history course? As a black woman, I would not travel south on my own for fear of my own safety, even with my white boyfriend. Yes, stuff happens in the North, but the South has a history of being brutal towards black people, hence the Great Migration where many black people fled to the North for more jobs, less racial violence and safety reasons.

As for black people being racist, I'm not going to touch that as there is so much wrong with that statement. But I will say this: non-white people do not have the power to institutionalize racism against the majority or practice oppressive behavior against white people. With racism comes power, and black people, as a whole, have never had that kind of ability to wield against white oppression. Now can black people be prejudice? Absolutely.

Black people can’t be racist | Pambazuka News

[heron, ASN, RN]

Why are you talking about races of people as if all black people or all white people act the same way?

As for the south being racist, have you taken a history course? As a black woman, I would not travel south on my own for fear of my own safety, even with my white boyfriend. Yes, stuff happens in the North, but the South has a history of being brutal towards black people, hence the Great Migration where many black people fled to the North for more jobs, less racial violence and safety reasons.

As for black people being racist, I'm not going to touch that as there is so much wrong with that statement. But I will say this: non-white people do not have the power to institutionalize racism against the majority or practice oppressive behavior against white people. With racism comes power, and black people, as a whole, have never had that kind of ability to wield against white oppression. Now can black people be prejudice? Absolutely.

Black people can't be racist | Pambazuka News

Uh oh ... now you've done it!

Pointing out the false equivalence between dislike of the dominant culture by minority people on the one hand, and the systematic, often brutal enforcement of racial privelege by that dominant culture on the other, is a garanteed flame fest.

The point of it all is to erase the existence of institutional racism and reduce the whole question to one of who dislikes whom the most.

Good luck.

[Bowie21]

People of color cannot be racist. Race is a construct created by white people. There's a difference between racism and prejudice. There are some great resources to learn more about how race and racism impact all of us, including white people, such as The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond. It is has offices throughout the US and offers courses on race and racism. Also, you may consider learning more about the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow through visiting The Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, MS; the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC; the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN; or the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Most cities--from Portsmouth, NH to San Augustine, FL to New Orleans, LA--have museums, sites, or plagues that detail some bit of our history of slavery as well as the Civil Rights Movement. Books like, the Warmth of Other Suns or the New Jim Crow, or movies, such as Ghosts of Mississippi or Selma, are great places to start to learn more. We all are hurt by systems of oppression and white supremacy. I am always learning and always thinking of how as a nurse I can work towards upholding the social justice portion of our code of ethics. For me this means learning about civil rights and working towards educating my family and friends and colleagues about our history. The Civil Rights Movement was amazing and there's so much we can learn from the organizing that was done, the courage, and the sacrifices. But, as a white person, which I am, it requires getting comfortable with getting uncomfortable and being willing to listen more than talk. I am always trying to do this, and sometimes I fail, but I think it makes me a better nurse and a better person.

[neuron]

Why are you talking about races of people as if all black people or all white people act the same way?

As for the south being racist, have you taken a history course? As a black woman, I would not travel south on my own for fear of my own safety, even with my white boyfriend. Yes, stuff happens in the North, but the South has a history of being brutal towards black people, hence the Great Migration where many black people fled to the North for more jobs, less racial violence and safety reasons.

As for black people being racist, I'm not going to touch that as there is so much wrong with that statement. But I will say this: non-white people do not have the power to institutionalize racism against the majority or practice oppressive behavior against white people. With racism comes power, and black people, as a whole, have never had that kind of ability to wield against white oppression. Now can black people be prejudice? Absolutely.

Black people can't be racist | Pambazuka News

I simply pointed out a truth, which you live (I'm assuming), not in the south and making a judgement about how people are here. Most good mannered people do not have a problem. I am not going to believe everything a history book tells me. There is so much that one 'doesn't' know about history. I don't take what a history book says at face value.

I understand all people have pain, as the article stated, but being rude is not tolerated. The article was written by an educated professional. That is a difference than the amount black inmates (male) in prison for violent or aggressive acts. Next you're going to tell me it doesn't count? Yes it does. If you steal, you go to jail. And no one is talking about the troubled youth who steals food from the grocery store, doesn't realize their act, is repentant, learns from their behavior and moves on to live a respectable life.