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?
As a fellow human being, first and foremost, and an African American female, I want to to say that I am disgusted with your current situation and I will pray for you! That being said, You need to go! There is NO JOB IN THIS WORLD THAT IS WORTH YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING!
Anyone that would suggest that you stay there a minute longer has never experienced that kind of torment and could never understand what it's like to go home and night and feel like you've been violated. To dread going to a place so much that you want call in but your responsibility to your patients comes first so you don't but ALL DAY LONG, you wish you had!! To look over your shoulder constantly and wonder if someone is going to harm you; how is that normal? It's not and don't continue to make it your "new normal". Your life is worth more than that. You deserve to be safe and happy.
Please leave! I'm not sure where you are but there are other Nursing facilities in other places that you could go to. They will understand that you only had 6 months experience. I hope and pray that you find the position that is meant for you. Good luck to you
Having just finished a college credit course in Sociology, I find that these co-workers are culturally inadequate and insensitive. I agree with the respondent that states your needing to go to management with your concerns and then I would be open that the comments being made are not acceptable making these co-workers realize that you are not a pushover or doormat. I wish you the best and try to maintain your composure before I would jump ship and run.
I suppose the long and short of it is that it's best in terms of your career prospects to get your year in. It does sound though like the treatment you are getting may warrant some intervention by HR. I'm not entirely sure though. I only say this because it sounds like what you are experiencing is more psychological in nature than physical. At least it doesn't sound as if there overt or implied threats to your person or your livelihood. On the surface your posts imply what seems to qualify as a hostile work environment and/or psychological games at play to make you uncomfortable. Having lived in a small, rural town I can relate. Been through similar things for sure.
My opinion may not be a popular one, but I'll share it anyway. Gauge the degree of what you are experiencing. It's unfortunately common to experience people and situations like this outside of urban areas. If you feel your safety is at risk, get out of there. However, if what we are talking about is not a direct threat to your person/livelihood, you'd be better served finishing your year and moving on. There are reasons that small, rural areas have great difficulty getting medical staff to stay. What you describe sadly is one of them.
I've been of the opinion for many years that HR is not your friend. Their job is to protect the employer's interests over those of the employee. So involving them could create more problems for you. Particularly in a small, rural hospital where everyone tends to stick together. Fighting through that is stressful. Not fun at all...
It is racist, traitorous and unacceptable to fly the confederate flag.
The comments being directed towards you are rude and unprofessional so speak up. But, Research Battle Flag of Virginia. Thats the flag people are flying in their pickups and not the Confederate Flag. And for most it's only a southern pride thing and not a racial thing. I hope things get better for you.
The comments being directed towards you are rude and unprofessional so speak up. But, Research Battle Flag of Virginia. Thats the flag people are flying in their pickups and not the Confederate Flag. And for most it's only a southern pride thing and not a racial thing. I hope things get better for you.
Here's an article from National Geographic regarding the confederate flag. It mostly disappeared after the Civil War and really made it's resurgence in retaliation to the Civil Rights Movement. So yeah, it is a "racial thing."
As a white woman from the midwest who had very little contact with people of other races until college, even I am shocked so many people act like they can't believe something like this is happening.
Racism is still very prevalent. Look at the sick "cartoons" about President Obama and his wife. Listen to the disgusting rhetoric from many of our elected officials (Governor Lepage of Maine leaps to mind.)
There are glaring differences in the way people in predominantly AA communities are treated versus mostly Caucasian communities. Really think the water crisis of Flint would have occurred in a rich suburb of Detroit? I could go on but I hope you get the idea.
Racism is sad and terrible and I fervently hope it is on it's way out, but there are an awful lot of strongholds all across the nation.
These are the most insane comments I have ever read on this site. What the OP is experiencing is illegal and should not be tolerated. Filing a charge with the EEOC is free and easy. Obtaining a lawyer costs more but it will be worth it when you don't have to work ever again and can send all your children to private universities while luxuriating in your custom built house. I cannot believe nobody has suggested that you file an EEOC complaint at the very least. If I were you I would have the jobs of every single person in leadership at the facility. I would also make sure they never worked again.
Think of this job as a way to pay your dues and gain your experience before you can move on to a better job with less racist people! Its dumb to judge people based on their race, we should feel sorry for them
While a year is a long time to put up with that kind of crap, you may need to just let it roll. I had an assignment in Hawaii and they really dislike white people. They actually gave me a patient admit that had a history of assaulting white people and when he went to fall and I tried to catch him - he struck me, stating how dare a white person try to touch him. When I went out in the hall I find all the staff standing there laughing. As a travel nurse you have limited options if you don't want your contract cancelled. I just matter of factly had security called and informed the staff that they would be switching the assignment. They let me know of his history with whites at that time. It happens. That contract was only 3 months, and it's not fun. Had a lot of "you people" comments and even my co-worker who was of Mexican ancestry stated - how she loved the reverse racism. I've had co-workers in other areas of the country really get nasty with me when they detect my southern accent - telling me how we are all ignorant bible thumpers and should seceed from the union. Whatever, ignorant people are every where. How much time do you have left? And are you sure you aren't letting it seem bigger than it is? And the confederate flag thing - it's not aimed at you, and most of these people are so ignorant about the confederacy, it's a way for them to feel more powerful. If you feel unsafe, I'd say screw it and leave. Good luck.
I am sorry this situation caught you off guard. The reality is racism is just as precedent today as it ever has been. Many will disagree and call me racist but the fact of the matter is today most people only really recognize racism exist if they are a victim of it or perpetrators tors of it!!! All my happy go lucky friends smiling and saying things are better now dot get the subtle looks or comments made to them. Nor do they walk out a patients room and hear the patient say don't let that black man back in here.
So do what you will. See places are more subtle than others but you can't outrun racisim.
As far as leaving a job before a year I would not worry about that one bit!!!!!
These are the most insane comments I have ever read on this site. What the OP is experiencing is illegal and should not be tolerated. Filing a charge with the EEOC is free and easy. Obtaining a lawyer costs more but it will be worth it when you don't have to work ever again and can send all your children to private universities while luxuriating in your custom built house. I cannot believe nobody has suggested that you file an EEOC complaint at the very least. If I were you I would have the jobs of every single person in leadership at the facility. I would also make sure they never worked again.
Thanks for your replies. You are right about filing a complaint and a possible law suit if this sort of thing persists. I do want out as this is deterring my learning and growth.
I am sorry this situation caught you off guard. The reality is racism is just as precedent today as it ever has been. Many will disagree and call me racist but the fact of the matter is today most people only really recognize racism exist if they are a victim of it or perpetrators tors of it!!! All my happy go lucky friends smiling and saying things are better now dot get the subtle looks or comments made to them. Nor do they walk out a patients room and hear the patient say don't let that black man back in here.
So do what you will. See places are more subtle than others but you can't outrun racisim.
As far as leaving a job before a year I would not worry about that one bit!!!!!
Jay
Thansk for your reply Jay!
You are right racism is here and I am aware of the subtleties but have never had them stop my work or livelihood. This is the only time in my life that it's been this blatant and never have I felt like I had to RUN.
Personally, I'd stick it out. I took a contract in a very urban area where I was "the white dude"... no name, no other identifier, just the white dude. The things that were said to my face were unbelievable, but I made a commitment to do a job and I did that job.
When you take a job you need to do a little research... did you honestly think a southern town wouldn't have people who are proud of being in the south, proud of their confederate history? Pardon me for saying, but that is just ignorant.
It's been noted several times that the OP works in New York State. Not exactly the cradle of the Southern subculture.
The confederate flag became a "cultural symbol" during the beginning of the Civil Rights struggle. It was was used as a protest against civil rights legislation and the legal decisions supporting it. As such, it's most definitely a symbol of institutionalized racism.
nmercer1
22 Posts
As a fellow human being, first and foremost, and an African American female, I want to to say that I am disgusted with your current situation and I will pray for you! That being said, You need to go! There is NO JOB IN THIS WORLD THAT IS WORTH YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING!
Anyone that would suggest that you stay there a minute longer has never experienced that kind of torment and could never understand what it's like to go home and night and feel like you've been violated. To dread going to a place so much that you want call in but your responsibility to your patients comes first so you don't but ALL DAY LONG, you wish you had!! To look over your shoulder constantly and wonder if someone is going to harm you; how is that normal? It's not and don't continue to make it your "new normal". Your life is worth more than that. You deserve to be safe and happy.
Please leave! I'm not sure where you are but there are other Nursing facilities in other places that you could go to. They will understand that you only had 6 months experience. I hope and pray that you find the position that is meant for you. Good luck to you