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 am so sorry and angry for you. It is tragic that this type of behavior is tolerated anywhere much less in your place of work. You should never have to go to work feeling uncomfortable and if it is to the point that you are feeling anxiety and fear this is not ok. Look for another job and don't hold back when you tell this current employer why you are leaving when you put in your notice. It is possible that administration honestly has no clue that this is going on if they are as disconnected from staff as so many administrations are and making them aware might help the next person they hire that faces this.
Also, Confederate flags are a symbol of a culture, not aimed at you personally. I don't agree with it, and I'm sorry it's hurtful to you. They aren't going away anytime soon, though. If you can ignore the flags, you'll be less stressed.
I know you're not for it, but I just wanted to point out that the view that it is culture (and I'm not saying you view as it culture, I know you were making a general statement and I'm responding to that) is a weak one at best. It's like a Jewish person constantly having to see a swastika everywhere. It's offensive and the view that it is southern culture/pride is so antiquated and downright sad.
I feel your pain. I am a minority. I lived/worked in a very diverse area for 8- years before I moved to a very small town to join my husband. I accepted a job in a not so friendly Hospital. My nurse manager was extremely racist and she made no effort to hide it. At my three month evaluation, she literally made me cry! She told me I acted entitled, I needed to learn to make friends, I needed to learn how to interact with people!! Etc! Mind you, in my previous jobs, I had received awards for my outstanding performance at work and many many letters of appreciation from patients. I realized she was trying to break me down, diminish me so she can train me like a dog! To make a long story short, I couldn't allow her to redefine me! I resigned immediately! I found a job with in a week of leaving there! I am glad I didn't stay. Don't stay where someone is making you feel uncomfortable! It will cheap away from your well being! Good luck to you! There is always something better and bigger out there.
I hope this doesn't come across wrong, but what I understand from your post is that you want to move because your preceptor is racist and you have seen Confederate flags on a couple of trucks?
It's a lot of work to move. It may be easier to deal with the problems than run from them.
I would talk to your preceptor and let her know how uncomfortable her racist remarks made you. If she isn't receptive, explain that if you hear them again you will be reporting her. It is illegal to harass someone or make them uncomfortable at work because of race.
Also, Confederate flags are a symbol of a culture, not aimed at you personally. I don't agree with it, and I'm sorry it's hurtful to you. They aren't going away anytime soon, though. If you can ignore the flags, you'll be less stressed.
If you find that the problem is getting worse, and not better, or if you are so uncomfortable that you can't deal, then definitely leave for your own wellbeing. You may find, though, that fighting racism will give you more confidence in yourself.
I see what you are saying. Moving here was time consuming and it would be the same going back home.
The confederate flag has always meant lots of things that has always been associated with intolerance. No, not personally at me, but I've never seen it in person and it just put the icing on the cake for me.
Will I be able to stick it out for a few more months, I don't know?
Going to my preceptor and letting her know is a good idea. I told myself that the next time racist comments are made they won't be ignored.
I feel your pain. I am a minority. I lived/worked in a very diverse area for 8- years before I moved to a very small town to join my husband. My nurse manager was extremely racist and she made no effort to hide it. At my three month evaluation, she literally made me cry! She told me I acted entitled, I needed to learn to make friends, I needed to learn how to interact with people!! Etc! Mind you, in my previous jobs, I had received awards for my outstanding performance at work and many many letters of appreciation from patients. I realized she was trying to break me down, diminish me so she can train me like a dog! To make a long story short, I couldn't allow her to redefine me! I resigned immediately! I found a job with a week of leaving there! I am glad I didn't stay. Don't stay where someone is making you feel uncomfortable! It will cheap away from your well being! Good luck to you! There is always something better and bigger out there.
Omg! Glad you left immediately! That's not right! And even better that you were able to find a new job so quickly!!!! As a new grad, I worry about that but I'm ok with getting anything closer or back home. I've already started applying elsewhere!
I am so sorry and angry for you. It is tragic that this type of behavior is tolerated anywhere much less in your place of work. You should never have to go to work feeling uncomfortable and if it is to the point that you are feeling anxiety and fear this is not ok. Look for another job and don't hold back when you tell this current employer why you are leaving when you put in your notice. It is possible that administration honestly has no clue that this is going on if they are as disconnected from staff as so many administrations are and making them aware might help the next person they hire that faces this.
Thank you! I am actually already sending applications and resumes out. I pray I get something soon!
I know you're not for it, but I just wanted to point out that the view that it is culture (and I'm not saying you view as it culture, I know you were making a general statement and I'm responding to that) is a weak one at best. It's like a Jewish person constantly having to see a swastika everywhere. It's offensive and the view that it is southern culture/pride is so antiquated and downright sad.
Antiquated and sad in your perspective or not, it is the prevalent view in many places of the South. Most are so ignorant that they don't know the slavery aspect of the Confederacy, they are taught pride in their bloodlines.
Imagine living in the deep South and being taught that who you are is a source of pride and wonder. You come from a long line of impressive people who have done their best to live up to their beliefs and preserve a proud heritage. Everything you know is about family, community, honor, and civility. Then, you grow up and travel. Suddenly, you are bombarded on all sides with scorn and ridiculed as being from a faction of people who are reviled and seen as the scum of the earth. The worst part is that you're being abused for ideals and principles that you have never been introduced to. It's a huge culture shock. You can never understand unless you were raised in the Southern tradition. Not all Southerners who display the Confederate flag are like that, though. Some are downright bigoted and despicable. However, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I don't believe all Southerners hate black people, and I don't believe all black people are racist against white people either. I believe individuals can be evil to anybody, skin color is just an excuse.
A little understanding from both sides goes a long way. And please, don't think that I am defending the Confederate flag, because I am not. I don't agree with racism at all, and have been fighting it most of my life.
I feel it is better to try to understand your enemy and maybe find an ally, rather than to blindly hate those who believe differently from you.
Thank you for your reply. The supervisors are neutral and appear to be nice. The hospital is very short staffed so maybe being any other way would not be in their best interest. The other day I overheard a patient speaking very loudly to a nurse manager, he said " I almost punched me a N****r last night." She smiled and said "oh you did," Gleefully. I was in earshot. She said nothing to me. I just don't know how this is ok, today.
I am SO sorry! You should not have to be dealing with that kind of crap! It's bad enough to put up with that kind of comments from patients and family members, but other staff? No way.
Sending u hugs! Let us know what u decide to do - I hope you are able to find a better working situation quickly.
OP, I am really sorry to read that you're going through this. It's a disgrace to those of us in the South that love and embrace all kinds of diversity.
I can't blame you for wanting to leave, but I wanted to say that I sure as heck hope that you will go up your chain of command at your current job and expose your co-workers for the way they are acting. Take it to management, document your conversation. If that doesn't get results, go up the HR chain. People shouldn't be allowed to get away with that. If it gets better and you choose to stay, great. If it gets better and you still choose to leave, more power to ya for standing up for what's right (and hopefully making it a better place for people later!). If it doesn't get better, then you know that you did all you could do for both yourself and for your patients (because if your co-workers are treating you like this, it isn't a stretch to think they're doing it to patients that are different than they are).
Specializes in Electrophysiology, Medical-Surgical ICU.
I would find me a new job in a more urban area personally! I don't have time for people's ignorance and also for it to be tolerated by management...nope I would not feel comfortable at all working there!
OP, I am really sorry to read that you're going through this. It's a disgrace to those of us in the South that love and embrace all kinds of diversity.
I can't blame you for wanting to leave, but I wanted to say that I sure as heck hope that you will go up your chain of command at your current job and expose your co-workers for the way they are acting. Take it to management, document your conversation. If that doesn't get results, go up the HR chain. People shouldn't be allowed to get away with that. If it gets better and you choose to stay, great. If it gets better and you still choose to leave, more power to ya for standing up for what's right (and hopefully making it a better place for people later!). If it doesn't get better, then you know that you did all you could do for both yourself and for your patients (because if your co-workers are treating you like this, it isn't a stretch to think they're doing it to patients that are different than they are).
:madface:
I feel like leaving. It feels like there are so many angles that this sentiment is coming from. I feel like if I stayed I'd be battling so many people. I just want to be a good nurse!
As far as I'm concerned, flying the Confederate flag is a slap in the face to Black folks, especially outside the south. It's code for "I don't like Blacks". The people who do it are usually from the shallow end of the gene pool.
:madface:
kbrn2002, ADN, RN
3,969 Posts
I am so sorry and angry for you. It is tragic that this type of behavior is tolerated anywhere much less in your place of work. You should never have to go to work feeling uncomfortable and if it is to the point that you are feeling anxiety and fear this is not ok. Look for another job and don't hold back when you tell this current employer why you are leaving when you put in your notice. It is possible that administration honestly has no clue that this is going on if they are as disconnected from staff as so many administrations are and making them aware might help the next person they hire that faces this.