My first RN job has lead me to a more rural part of the country. As a person of color, I have never experienced racism to this degree.
Some instances are subtle at work, but some are pretty blatant.
My first experience occurred when my preceptor mentioned repeatedly that I have a "black card" so I must be golden at my new position. (I never questioned her on what she meant.) My preceptor also mentioned things like "since you are black things will get stolen from you." Phrases like 'slave driver' have also repeatedly been mentioned in passing with my preceptor. Since I was on orientation, I let a lot of comments go and ignored them, due to fear of being let go or retaliation.
Now, the worst thing is that I have noted on several occasions, confederate flags waving from behind pick up trucks.
I'm not sure if I can stick it out for over a year in this place. What would you do?
I can't believe it's now 2016 and this kind of stuff is still going on. I am so sorry you are experiencing this. If this were me, I would look for a new job.
These are your perceptions. The fact that you are honed in on one preceptor saying stupid stuff about race leads me curiosity. The preceptor could be jealous. Seems like you need to put your big girl panties and stop worrying about the small stuff. If your preceptor is offensive then goto the manager. I have to say I get very tired of the white black thing. White people and black folks alike deal with discrimination. You decided to live where you are. Change the mindset of your peer and don't sink to that low. Focus on being a nurse and not a victim.
First of all, there will ALWAYS be problems no matter where you are. It's hard, especially for a young woman, to tolerate at times. I say that because I'm 62 years old, and have learned to ignore fools; I just consider the source and move on. As for the racism aspect, you have grown up in a time where our leader - someone we should be able to look up to - foments racial divisiveness at every turn. As a result, racism on both sides of the aisle are more obvious. Trust me - everyone feels it.
The Confederate flag, despite all the chatter, is NOT a racist symbol. If you do some research on the Civil War, you will also see that the primary reason for the war was not slavery, but industrial vs agrarian societal living and the laws that govern them. I find the rush to remove all things that 'offend' sad. If we forget what happened, we are doomed to repeat it. There were good and bad people then and there are both around now. It will always be so.
I wish you well. I truly do. I hope you are able to hang on there. Try and ignore the uneducated and provide a shining example of what a good nurse is. In time (yes I know this part is hard) people will see your skill and goodness.
You need to leave. This is very serious. With how things are today, a job is not worth your life. You should not deal with blatant comments at work. I am a member of the sorority that Sandra Bland was in, who was killed by police during that unjust traffic stop. I am also related to Tamir Rice, the 12 year old boy who was killed here in Cleveland Ohio. This killing and racism has hit home twice for me. From personal experience, my first semester in my nursing program I had to go to a rural campus to wait for open seats at our main campus, and it was so bad I wrote a letter to the big wigs at both campuses because it was not safe. I was threatened to be killed by one of those trucks you are talking about with the confederate flags. This is a terrible time in our country where blacks are being killed daily and people are getting away with it. You do not need to mess around with your life because of a job. Im sorry, i feel for you and I am telling you. You need to LEAVE.
Despise what the person above says. It does not matter if the confederate flag is not a racist symbol. It is still used as one and people know it. You will get advice from people on here who have never truly delt with racism the way WE have. They will try to minimize it and brush it off. Leave. Please!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Seems like you need to put your big girl panties and stop worrying about the small stuff.
The OP is a male, and therefore, doesn't wear "big girl" panties.
In addition, trivializing someone's emotional pain during a time of distress only serves to hurt some people further. Remember this when minimizing one's concerns or labeling one as a 'victim' for mentioning something they find disturbing.
Holy crap, I commented before I realized so many things.
1. I had no idea you were a man.
Please please please, if you are able: LEAVE. At least go to your wife. You are in such an unsafe situation and I'm afraid for you. I cannot even imagine how badly you feel. I am so sorry.
2. Every single white person in here who is downplaying what is happening to you, needs to shut their mouths. Your feelings are valid, your fear is justified, and you're not misinterpreting ANYTHING.
3. White people in here telling him he's overreacting: SHAME ON YOU. Shame. On. You.
4. Please keep us posted. I'm going to be thinking about you all the time.
To accuse an entire town of being racist is unfair & harms innocent people. [COLOR=#333333]If a person plants a Confederate flag in their backyard or wear its image on a T-shirt, I'll defend their constitutional right to do so. You have no control over this town. The only thing you have control over is yourself. If the town is bringing nothing but negativity into your life then, you have the right to choose to leave the town and find a place to live with people who you can resonate better with. A healthy person might realize that this situation is not good for their soul then, pull up stakes ASAP and move towards some light.
Good luck on your journey towards peace, love, and happiness![/COLOR]
I am so sorry that you are going through this. I'm glad you came here though, as we take care of each other. I have worked at many hospitals and have found out that I don't do well at small hospitals with no diversity. And I'm a blond/blue eyed white lady.
The problem is these cesspools of small minded people, when they don't have blacks, or mexicans or someone else to "toy" with, start picking on the white person from another state, or church, or religion. There's always bullies looking for someone to be mean to.
I finally realized a couple of years ago that I have to work in a large diverse hospital that relishes differences of culture, color and religion. I finally work in a hospital that is warm and fuzzy in Texas. We would welcome you.
My daughter in law used to work in HR. She has told me that you should never go to HR as they are all for the company and don't care about individual workers.
You have rec'd many awesome ideas to think about and I know that someday soon you will find a place where you will feel accepted and respected. I will pray for your safety, both physical and mental. Let me know if you want a job in the Dallas area.
I have several friends that had to switch jobs at first to find the right fit. I left my first job after 8 weeks. I simply told the next place that it "wasn't a good fit." I ended up staying at hospital #2 for 6 years.
In the nursing world that usually means that the place you're leaving is a cesspool. Word gets around in the nursing world. We know which places are good to work at, and those that aren't.
Thank you so much! I love how this site has some of the kindest folks! I truly appreciate it!
I hear you on small town cesspools! LOL!
For now, sending my resume every which way I can! Would love to stay in the NY area (closer to the city). My wife would not fair well away from her home.
I do think that this experience is building a stronger character and awareness in me. I have to spin this for the better any way that I can. Thanks for the offer though! It means a ton!!!!
Seriously you can email me and I will help you. I work for one of the 2 major hospital systems here in Cleveland and I can refer you to managers and give you contact information of people who may be able to help you get another job. They always have nursing hiring events and the pay may be more than in a rural area. 27-30 an hour. Please contact me if you need to. If you are looking to relocate. There are so many recruiters out there. You dont have to deal with this. Please let me know.
Move to Cleveland! There are a ton of jobs here just waiting for nurses who want them. Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth are all here and full of patients!
I'm sorry. I'm from a racist town too, and even as a white girl I could never ever move back. Way too toxic, and I've never experienced anything even close to racial discrimination. I've worked in a lot of racist environments though, and generally, complaining will get you nowhere positive.
You won't change them, so please don't put forth the effort. It's not worth your struggle, and it's not your job anyway, it's our job as white people to educate our own.
I am sorry to hear that things are not going according to plan. but if you want to protect your mental health and stay sane, you may want to go back home. You can always say that you needed to go and help out a family member. I would see if you can line up another job first and make it to six months. If you have to leave to help out family members it should not reflect badly that you did not make it a whole year. Just make sure you leave in good standing. Giving proper notice ( 2 weeks). But secure another position first. In health care you will usually find some type of discrimination. I have been nursing since 1981. Wishing you the best. Pray about it.
Yes, you should go where you have researched the patient population prior to accepting a position. That's the essence of Nursing: that you accept the people you're working among.
Also, please realize the racist problem goes both ways - especially these days.
Lizzy0580
7 Posts
I can't believe it's now 2016 and this kind of stuff is still going on. I am so sorry you are experiencing this. If this were me, I would look for a new job.