racist comment

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Has anyone ever had comments regarding your nationality made by patients?

Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

A persons skin tone does not indicate how long they have lived in this country or their right to be here. It makes me very angry when people make negative comments about immigrants from Latin America because every American was an immigrant at some time (with the exception of the Native Americans, of course)!! Every white person in America is a descendant of an immigrant. Some of these immigrants didn't speak English, some of them were poor, some of them looked different. They all moved here to make a better or safer life for themselves.

I believe we need to be very careful to not stereotype or demonize the recent influx of immigrants from Latin America. Prior to WWII and during that war the US blocked the efforts of Jews who were seeking shelter in the US. Unfortunately because of anti-semetism in the US at the time those Jews had to stay in Europe and many of them died in the holocaust. I am not comparing all foreign immigration to the holocaust but I think that it is important to remember the racially-charged mistakes this country has made in regard to immigration.

I don't think that America is an exclusive club where only certain groups of people are allowed to be. I think the OP should just point out to her assailants that their ancestors were immigrants too.

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If you are not Native American, then you or your ancestors are immigrant. So please give me a break!

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A persons skin tone does not indicate how long they have lived in this country or their right to be here. It makes me very angry when people make negative comments about immigrants from Latin America because every American was an immigrant at some time (with the exception of the Native Americans, of course)!! Every white person in America is a descendant of an immigrant. Some of these immigrants didn't speak English, some of them were poor, some of them looked different. They all moved here to make a better or safer life for themselves.

I believe we need to be very careful to not stereotype or demonize the recent influx of immigrants from Latin America. Prior to WWII and during that war the US blocked the efforts of Jews who were seeking shelter in the US. Unfortunately because of anti-semetism in the US at the time those Jews had to stay in Europe and many of them died in the holocaust. I am not comparing all foreign immigration to the holocaust but I think that it is important to remember the racially-charged mistakes this country has made in regard to immigration.

I don't think that America is an exclusive club where only certain groups of people are allowed to be. I think the OP should just point out to her assailants that their ancestors were immigrants too.

I find it interesting in a reply about not stereotyping, you automatically assume the "racist" patients were white...

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Let me just add, without fanning the flames: while working in San Bernardino, I and the other nurses were often told by families of Spanish speaking patients, that they don't want us as the nurse, they want someone who speaks Spanish. There were none.

Several times I, and the other nurses, were told by patients, through the families without hesitation, that as nurses in California we should speak Spanish.

Again, not fanning the flames. Just leave the room shaking your head. And come here to vent.

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Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

I want to add that I think that it isn't just about race, but also the fact that some people are very insensitive and seriously lacking social ettiquette. We are all entitled to our own beliefs and opinions, but some people just don't know when to keep their mouths shut. I'm not trying to say that in a rude way but its the truth. Once I had a patient ask me if I was pregnant (when I clearly was not), another time, (not a patient) someone flat out commented on how hairy my arms are! Really, some people don't have a filter between the brain and the mouth.

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For some reason patients have the notion that nurses are like priests and they can say anything to them. I refrain from discussing anything with patients except for relevant items pertaining to their care. When I have patients that try to chitchat, I let them know that I don't chitchat with patients. Of course I tailor my response to the type of person they are. For patients who want to ask me personal questions I simply tell them that I am at work and do not discuss personal things at work. For patients that are casually trying to engage me in conversation - I tell them that I avoid chitchat because I want to give their care my full attention and I cannot do that while I am discussing non-care related items. For the obnoxious, rude people - I will either tell them that I cannot discuss anything but their care with them or I will ask them to stop talking because I need to concentrate on what I am doing. If they get really ugly I will tell them that I find their conversation offensive and I would appreciate it if they would avoid such topics because I cannot care for them properly when they are distracting me. But the trick is - you have to set the boundaries way ahead of time. Which means that it is best not to chitchat with your patients to start with and save the chatter for the break room. You never know when that seemingly innocent conversation with your patient will turn obnoxious so it's best to head it off before it starts.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I personally enjoy chatting with patients, it's one of the things that makes the job fun. People like the personalized approach and it helps them relax, plus it's a good way to find out more about them.

If I were a member of a visable minority group however, I would be very offended and embarrassed by ethnically specific conversations that veered on to hot button political topics. I agree with the above post that some people are just rude and inconsiderate!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Threads merged by OP (first started on Feb. 25th).

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I want to add that I think that it isn't just about race, but also the fact that some people are very insensitive and seriously lacking social ettiquette. We are all entitled to our own beliefs and opinions, but some people just don't know when to keep their mouths shut. I'm not trying to say that in a rude way but its the truth. Once I had a patient ask me if I was pregnant (when I clearly was not), another time, (not a patient) someone flat out commented on how hairy my arms are! Really, some people don't have a filter between the brain and the mouth.

Very well put. I am of spanish and italian decent. I get some comments and looks from time to time. Funny how people determine 'intelligence' by the color of someone's skin. You can see it on their faces. It's more the body language than anythingelse. Some poeple are just like that.

I have to say that I gauge my interaction with pts the same way. If they look 'dumb' I limit the teaching cause it may be over their head. "K.I.S.S" theory.

I guess it goes back and forth.

Even my father had a thing w/ latin and colored nurses "they're so nasty" he would say. I had to scold him for his belief "pop, you're the rude one not them! leave your beliefs at home. Being nasty to the nurses is like being nasty to me. Don't you remember the stories I told you about ******* patients?...Don't be that *******!"

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

I had a patient who was a skinhead.

And when he said

I'll be fed

all his feces

'til I drop dead.

I began to wonder

DAMN if I didn't ponder,

"WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?'

(Excerpt. "A Matter of Ethics" by Author)

------------------------------------------------------

SERIOUSLY.

AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME

I'm pitchin'-it, hitchin'-and-switchin'-it

ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.

And if you don't like it (or me)...

TOUGH.

I ain't runnin' for President!

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And then Obama has to come in and create a little fire with his comment about the 'typical white person'. WTH?!! Let's just keep this racial BS swirling so that we forget to pay any attention to any of the real issues!

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And then Obama has to come in and create a little fire with his comment about the 'typical white person'. WTH?!! Let's just keep this racial BS swirling so that we forget to pay any attention to any of the real issues!

race is a very real issue.

leslie

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