Racist Patients

Nurses Relations

Published

Our floor is culturally diverse. We have employees from all walks of life. We recently had a patient on the floor that said that he only wanted white nurses to take care if him. I'm not sure if our manager obliged, but I think that its never ok, also I personally just wouldn't think about this when I'm in pain or in need. Its crazy. Also I have been noticing that certain patients make comments to try and relate to me or assume that I know certain things because I'm AA. A patient said to me today,"My lipgloss be poppin.." singing a song that he thought he was relating to me by singing. Or a patient said to me " Do you eat collards and fried chicken". :eek: Little comments like that. I correct them and brush it off. I have too many other problems in my day to worry about this. Also, I should say that I reside in Ga. Is it just me?

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I think the most upsetting thing to me is how racism breaks up potential relationships. When we judge people in simplistic ways, we all lost out on the possibility of new relationships with each other that are positive, and just contribute to negativity. Who knows if the person you are criticizing might not have been your future spouse, close friend, or valued coworker if you didn't judge them on such a thing as skin color.

Personally, I don't have a relationship with around half of my husband's family due to the issue. His grandmother is supposedly very religious yet still spouts racist comments all the time. I asked her why she would do this, and she tried to say that the Bible says we shouldn't mix races. It broke my heart. I asked to point out that part, since I knew it wasn't in there. I asked her to refrain from hateful comments or we wouldn't be able to be around her. She chose racism. Now we have no relationship with her or my husband's father, who made constant stereotypical comments like "You know how those people are." I told him I didn't realize he had met every member of the race he was commenting about, and how if he didn't personally know ALL members of that race, then he has no business generalizing. It had no effect.

I tried to reason with them. I tried to love them from afar inspite of these horrible shortcomings, as I myself have so many shortcomings. However, I just couldn't do it. There is a difference between having faults like we all do and espousing a doctrine of hatred. We chose to draw a line, and no longer see them. Not only is their hatred and racism hurting those they inflict it on, but also their own family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Quality Management.

My father used to tell me, "Yes, I am a racist. I hate ********."

Me, I'm too busy for hate, which requires a significant investment of time and energy. Don't like me? Click. Dial tone. Goodbye.

I hope the other grandparents can provide a suitable arena for your young 'uns. Best of luck to you.

paganoid

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

To all those who say that some people who are racist can't help it because they were brought up that way, I say Bullspit! My sister and I were brought up by racist parents in the Midwest. I'm the black sheep, because I think racism is stupidity. My sister, unfortunately thinks it's okay to say things about others in regard to any aspect of their life-race, religion, skin color, ethnic beliefs, etc-most times to their faces. But let someone say something about her, and you'd think they'd tried to murder her. I generally cannot talk to her, because once I hear the N word, I just hang up. She tells me that "we talk like that in Mississippi, that's just the way it is, get over it". I doubt everyone in MS talks like that!! I figure that I'm over 5 years old, I know right from wrong. Racism is just wrong. Now if the rest of the world could just get the message, maybe we could focus on real issues in the world!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

MISS DEMEANOUR

"Also, having a white friend who is married to a black man with biracial children doesn't prove anything. Heh, sorry, but that argument was used a LOT"

um, i'm black and have personally seen my friends that are white deal with racist crap worst than i have

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked at a place in boston that actually brought in white cna's from ireland to take care of racist patients. the nurses themselves hold a holier than thou attitude, in the literature nothing is ever mentioned about mary eliza mahoney and countless aa nurses that served in wars etc. all they talk about is nightingale...they make it sound like she uncovered everything all on her own. right! do your job and make sure u volunteer in aa community to help folks who truly appreciate it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

I live in Georgia, too. Things like this are just stupid no matter where you live and work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Cath Lab, Cardiology,Neuro.

I remember when I did home care and the elderly would call my agency and specifically request and I kid you not "a Caucasian, ENGLISH speaking aide"! Well that narrowed it down to 3 Caucasian English speaking aides!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This happens all too frequently. But as long as the hospital puts such a huge emphasis on patient satisfaction surveys we will continue to see patients put unrealistic demands out there...and we will continue to see them met if for no other reason than to get a piece of paper back that says positive things. As long as we keep telling patients that they can have any and everything they want to make sure they are satisfied, they will keep asking for it and think its perfectly OK to do so.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Tele,.

I too work in good ole Georgia right outside of the very diverse Atlanta; but I started my nursing career in upstate New York and it's the same both places. Let the pt. have their "White Nurse" little do they realize in some areas nursing is becoming more minority because White RN's tend to go higher up the ranks and more of the floor nurses are minorites. Pretty soon when these racist bastards the shouting about wanting a "white nurse" there won't be one-- you know the D.O.N or a manager is NOT gonna step back down to work the floor just to take care of a racist, no insurance having jerk !!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Renal; NICU.

Ha ha...I love it...it would be great if stupidity were painful!!! It's only painful now when someone smacks ya' for that dumb*** remark!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Renal; NICU.

Had an AA friend who did outpt physical therapy. Anytime someone asked for a white therapist, his supervisor (a very bright lady) would tell the pt she had only him for the first day but would try to accomodate them on the next visit.

Not ONCE did a pt call back after that first visit. He always treated everyone so matter-of-factly and was such a professional.

They loved him so much and were always trying to FEED him ("You need to eat a little snack").

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am an AA and I have experienced some of the racial stupidity in my 7 years in nursing. The usual remarks tend to trend towards the patients referring to me as that "colored" nurse or the Black woman and even the "negro" lady.I always get the hair comments too because I do not straighten my hair and wear it in various styles and pts always want to play in my head to see if it's real and question why I might like my hair so "nappy". I have experienced worse, yet I have found that me getting ignorant and nasty right back at the person doesn't help the matter. I treat all of my patients just the same and let them remain the way they are cuz I can't change them especially if they have been brewing in ignorance for 40-80 years. I have enough work to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment