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?
that's a tough one, but often the new person gets a hard time, whether it's because of your colour, your accent, or even because you're a guy in a predominately female profession. I found that sticking around usually works best, as they get to know you, get to see how you work, and develop a relationship beyond colour or gender.
There have been places where I knew it was never going to work, and before the year out, moved on. Time will tell.
That is very unfortunate. I had been in a similar situation before. Only that i am hispanic and experienced bad treatment from my african american coworkers including the owner of the company. Everything was fine and in fact, i got hired because i "looked" african american but once they found out where i was from everything changed. I know the emotional burden and they toll this takes on you. Believe me: your sanity is important! Apply everywhere, and by everywhere i mean everywhere. You need to get out of that toxic place. But make sure you get a job first, is not easy but is not impossible. I had been working as an RN for 2 months and i already have 2 job offers, once u pass the initial training some places figure it will be easier to train you. Best luck. Keep your chin up.
This is horrible advice. You cannot fight a town full of sub-humans intellect. The confederate flag is a symbol of white supremacist culture, or did we forget the reason the confederate rag was created to symbolize that battle to begin with? Please do not cheapen that piece of garbage and it's symbolism toward those of us who have skin that is darker than those who can "appreciate" the history of why those slopped-minded cretins were flying the flag to begin with. While fighting racism is preferred, you are disillusioned as to how effective one black man can be against a town of bigots. If you don't believe me, you should try it sometime. Moving is by no means any harder than dealing with a culture of mouth-breathers. Sorry about the rant but racism should never be minimized, that is why it exists.
Coming from a rural area of Michigan, I can tell you that you are dealing with a double whammy in your job. It's a good bet that your co-workers are either fence neighbors, went to school together or are some kind of 'back door relative' to each other. And as far as marrying in to a 'local' family...well that pretty much means that your wife can take you to the High School, point out where her class picture is hanging as well as her parents class picture...that's what local means. I've seen perfectly good white, female nurses from the city, discredited, demoralized and eventually let go. I can only imagine how tough it must be to be a black male in such an environment. Nobody deserves what you are going through. Are you within driving distance of a larger city? Sometimes an hour drive to a job that encourages you to be part of the team is well worth the improvement to your mental health and self esteem.
Specializes in Geriatrics, Managed Care, Home Health,.
My heart goes out to you as a fellow woman of color. Sometimes things happen in our lives to mold us and shape us into what we will become. In the early 1980s in real rural Texas blacks were still going in the back door and there were separate waiting rooms at a couple of the doctor's offices in town! As a nurse at one of the local hospitals one doctor was so prejudice he would give verbal orders to a Caucasian housekeeper rather than give my orders to me on my unit! This too shall pass! Hold your head up with pride and dignity because "trouble don't last always!" You need what they have now and that's the one year experience to move on to a different setting. Learn all you can, grow and don't let this experience embitter you ! I wish you the best ; keep notes and logs of what happens and what's said in case things come back on you ; understand? Further your education and live your life to the fullest ! GOD BLESS you and praying for your survival in this toxic environment. Oh and by the way I'm 62 years old now, still nursing and have my MSN in nursing in spite of adversities! I no longer live in that God forsaken area but I can look back and smile to myself about the experience!
Sadly, these things will occur. I've experienced it nursing in metropolitan cities. Some battles you don't have to show up for. There's no reason you can't start looking for your next position now. Anyone willing to to consider you for an interview will see your length of experience. Stay safe.
Yes you should leave, as a new nurse you should expect to be in a nurturing environment Conducive to learning. Your preceptor does not even have your back. Every new nurse has their share of ridiculous bullying by either nurses with more seniority or even physicians that feel the need to see how strong tbeir back bone is. That is different then what you are experencing, if it is causing you psychologically to feel unsafe get out. I have over 32 years experience under my belt including nursing education and I would never advise a new grad to stay in a hostile environment for any reason.
This sounds like a really hard situation. You mentioned you're considering seeing a therapist and I just wanted to chime in with a big yes! on doing that. Like others have said, you need to look out for your own mental health until you're able to leave, and especially if you decide to stay.
I am glad you have a long, proud history within your family. Now, talking about the other side of the coin...imagine living in the deep south and the only way to trace your family before a certain point is by bills of sale. Your feelings are immaterial at best because Southern history is what it is, I am sorry that the Southern heritage of slavery, inhumanity, and disgusting treatment of other human beings actually being recognized for what it is in the recent decades hurts your feelings but imagine the perspective of having to be told in the year 194 that you are worth more than what some insidious "Southern Pride" monger feels toward you when you are 5 years old. That is your southern heritage. That is your southern heritage. Telling a man to just deal with it is disgusting to say the least, that is why it still is prevalent in our society. Reading your comments just fills me with so much disdain for this behavior in 2016.
Specializes in Education, Med-Surg, ED,Nursing Admin..
Hello,
I am appalled at the racial bias your workmates are perpetuating against you. There is no excuse for it. I wish I could say that as people getting to know you, things will improve. Unfortunately, the social and political forces are exacerbating the racial prejudices in the south, and in many rural areas. If I were you, I would search for work elsewhere. Explore areas where racism is less tolerated-- that is usually in the west.
Don't put up with offensive treatment at work, while you are stuck there.
I read your experience and i must say that im not surprised. I am an Afircan American nurse and I have experienced racism. During my experience i felt because i was new and not much experience i was at the mercy of who was teaching me and i had to let racist comments go because i had to learn the job, but let me tell you you DO NOT have to subject yourself to any racist comments from no one! Know your value and skill set and what you have to offer to an organization be confident and do not just settle for what people with no respect dish out! Tell your preceptor you are uncomfortable with the comments then Talk to management and let them know you are uncomfortable with your preceptor and if that doesn't work find another place to work!!! Any form of racism from anyone is just unacceptable to me!!
Specializes in Med/surg,orthopedics,emergency room,.
Wow! What a wonderful reply! I too have undergone the "subtle" name calling etc., and I will tell you it isn't easy. It is a shame that in 2016 we are STILL having to deal with it. I would say to you, continue to do the bang job job I'm sure you are doing, keep prayed up!!!
nursingaround1
247 Posts
that's a tough one, but often the new person gets a hard time, whether it's because of your colour, your accent, or even because you're a guy in a predominately female profession. I found that sticking around usually works best, as they get to know you, get to see how you work, and develop a relationship beyond colour or gender.
There have been places where I knew it was never going to work, and before the year out, moved on. Time will tell.