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 suggest a nursing professional liability insurance policy. They are usually less than 100$ a year and have like 5 million in coverage. They also can represent you in nursing board hearings and actions. I would stick it out, with the understanding you are in a hostile environment, but I strongly suggest you look into taking actions to protect your license if some person makes an accusation against you.
I agree with the insurance thing. I have it too. Google "malpractice insurance for Nursing Professionals"
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!
Oh my goodness! Your words are inspiring! The resilience! I could not imagine what you have been through! God bless! Thank you for your reply!
I am so sorry that you have to go thru this. It is hard for me to comprehend as I was never raised that way. I do believe a lot of it is Learned behavior and to me that is the saddest part! I work in in or of well diverse cultures and people and we all love each other like and extended family. I am caucausan married to a African American and all my friends, coworkers and Drs treat him awesome when involved in outside work parties ect,. We have a married gay couple, multiple lesbian couples and I just don't see the difference. WE ALL BLEED RED! Keep a log as someone previously stated maybe u just had to leave this job because you are moving ect. Some good reason could take you away from all that. It is terrible to have to wake up and not want to go to work everyday. Esp for that reason. I am sorry for what you are going thru. Come to my hospital in fla. we will take you under our wing and support you! Lol
It's always tough as a new nurse, nurses eating their young and all. Adding this on top only makes it harder and reduces your chance for success. If you go to administration, I'd fear getting labeled as a trouble maker. By the staff , if administration does something. By administration if they don't pursue the staff. Now you have either a vengeful staff or a vengeful administration. If people look for mistakes they will find them, exp on a new grad. (another lovely nurse adage "nurses live in glass houses"). a vengeful administration will find a different reason to fire if they want. Now you can take it to court and fight it, but the recovery probably isn't going to seriously atone for your troubles. Or you might work out OK, you're the only one that's actually there first hand. Myself, I'd think of looking for something else.
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
What!? Who talks to other people they don't even know like this, like it is normal!?
Had the daughter of a patient tell me a few years ago that she moved her mother from one nursing home to another because "too many (insert the "N" word here) work there" .I was speechless. This woman knew nothing about me,I could have been married to a black man and had a bi-racial baby for all she knew.
I once had a job (not nursing, but the reason I switched careers into nursing) where I was harassed, sent nasty e-mails, and given excessive duties because of the way I voted in a rural town. I had unfortunately failed to join the union that year which would have given me legal counsel. Because of the harassment and panic attacks that I was having, I left before the year was up. It ruined my career. I would suggest that you 1) get legal counsel or get that legal insurance policy thing 2) hang in there for at least a year, and then go somewhere else where you are not uncomfortable. I would also like to send you the best.
It depends on your stress level. How are you dealing with the racism around you? If it starts to affect your own self-esteem and your own beliefs about yourself, I think you should leave. A lot of nurses forget about an essential element in a profession - love for one's self. I left a hospital with terrible working situation. It is not racism but very unsafe situation that pushes a nurse mentally, physically and emotionally. Do not expose yourself with that kind of treatment daily if you do not have adequate social, emotional and spiritual support.
DO not wait a year. I left a job after 5 months and I got another job. Just tell your new employer that it was not a good fit, not a job you are looking for and you love their hospital more etc. There are a lot of good, positive reasons who can focus on without having to tell the negativity of your last job during your interview.
Why are U allowing yourself to be " subjected"to this ignorance? There are " LAWS " against workplace discrimination. Do your research, and bring it to management (following the chain of command) . Consult your agency as well concerning the matter. The preceptor and those people are Very Ignorant and they are Very "OUTSPOKEN " concerning their beliefs about " racism " . U need to do the sane CONCERNING your RIGHTS!!!!
I live in the UK, but I will advise you to run for your life. Never accept any form of racism. The psychological impact can affect your life negatively. Now you are crying out for help, you do not know the degree of damage that has been done.
From your comments you mentioned you are suffering from 'anxiety, you get panic attacks and palpitation before going to work'
This sounds like torture, please do not do this to your self. Your health and wellbeing should come before any job.
I'll advise you to put your resignation in. Go home and recover, then try to find another job.
I am so sorry that you have to go through this.
I pray God will grant you favour and direct you on what ever you chose to do.
If I were you I would leave.Why do you need to ask. They will say you are pulling the race card. Your experience says otherwise. I worked with a muslim who was treated differently on the job by some. They would mention 9/11 out of nowhere or saddam hussein anytime this person was around. I would never be in a place that had too much hostility. You can stay and fight, but it does wear on you.
kdkout, BSN, RN
163 Posts
I agree with the insurance thing. I have it too. Google "malpractice insurance for Nursing Professionals"