racist patients

[Rn 1979]

Hello everyone,

I'm new nurse and I would like to hear from some of the experience nurses about this situation. I'm new male in nursing and add to that I came from another country in the middle east but I became a US citizen last year and I got my degree in nursing here in the US too. My question is that I had a female older white patient for one shift and I was extremely professional and I did great job taking care of her and she was also nice to me and never mention anything or say anything wrong, well the second day I came back to work and I was suppose to have the same patients I had last night but when I arrived the charge nurse notified me that this lady refuse foreigners and blacks to take care of her because of her religion believes, I was so depressed and frustrated to hear that because I did my best to help her, I'm frustrated because this is racism more than religion believes. I understand people are different but at least she should refused my care in the first day not when I left. Sometimes I had a hard time dealing with situations like these I feel its personal thing and I know its not my fault but how can I overcome situations like these?

[RutgersFlower2016]

Hi-

You are not alone and don't think for one minute that you should have to put up with that behavior from anyone-patient or family member. I have a naturally funny and bubbly personality and try not to let people's negative comments affect me. For example, I sometimes wear a head wrap and people assume that I am Muslim. So being mistaken for Muslim and being the race that I am, I get the scared looks and creepy eyebrow raises on a daily basis. I feel sorry for that person and I wonder how closed off their mind must be, because they will never know how much of an amazing person I am. I often get mistaken for a sales girl when shopping or a nanny when I am in the more prominent parts of my city so, I just look and respond with grace if I have to. I have always said "I am responsible for my own ignorance, I can't be responsible for other people's!"

I hope you work in place where that is not tolerated in anyway. Another thing, never laugh it off, because it's like a silent passport for the individual to do it again to you or someone else. There is a moment to teach something and bigotry should be STOMPED out. This past election has taught me that. Keep shining and keep being lovable you. Never let anyone take that away, less you become like them!!!

Rock on fellow nurse!!!!!!!!

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I'm kind of expecting more blatant racism, as a minority. Certain people feel emboldened by our new president-elect, and will now say and do things they didn't feel safe to carry out before. Expecting it from patients is one thing. What will surprise and sadden me is if colleagues start treating me badly, because they think they can get away with it. I don't think it will happen, but like I said, certain people are emboldened. I had a patient about 2 weeks ago who asked where I was from, which is not uncommon. I gave my boilerplate answer, and she said at the end "Good, at least you won't get deported". My white coworker remarked, out of her earshot, that was a bit rude. I basically told her I am expecting more of this nastiness, and to not be surprised.

I think administration is also anticipating an increase in nastiness, from and towards patients. This week, the CEO of the organization I work for sent a system-wide email basically saying we continue to honor our commitment to our core values, diversity etc, and to take the concerns of our minority patients seriously.

[moldyoldyrn]

Being with only those like myself is very boring. Diversity is the core of creativity and richness in life. I will not live in a world nor a place that is not diverse. I love all the opportunity and newness that meeting different people brings. Neil Diamond had a song that spoke of the "the beautiful noise", that is what makes life interesting. All the noise and clamor, the different smells, foods, accents, colors that can be found. As an RN I took care of who ever rolled through the door. I met some of the most interesting people ever. It was always a great experience.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Many times my patients will either assume I'm the aide or talk to my CNA, who is of the same race, of which I then receive the pleasure of letting them know I am the nurse.

Yep, I have also experienced this phenomenon. When I worked in direct patient care, some patients, families and vendors automatically assumed I was a cook, unit secretary, housekeeping staff or nursing assistant until I informed them otherwise.

This is one of the realities of belonging to a racial group that is stereotyped as having lower levels of formal education than persons from other races.