The Elephant In The Room

[ru4real]

I've been a nurse for more than 25 years. I have worked in Acute, Sub-Acute, LTC, Corrections, and School Nurse clinical settings. My first love in nursing has always been working with the geriatric population in LTC. I'm going to, "just cut to the chase". I currently work in LTC. I am not prejudice, I am not a bigot, nor am I a racist. I love working with people no matter their ethnicity, racial make-up, or their religious beliefs. Where I work the majority of the nurses are Filipino. I know you have figured out where I'm going with this. Remember, the topic I have listed above. The Elephant In The Room. Is there a written law, or code somewhere that says you have to be a Filipino nurse in order to work in LTC? The original DON at the facility I work at, was white. A matter of fact, she hired me. In my orientation class at the time, the racial make-up in class was, Black, Indian, Hispanic, and White nurses. There were no Asian nurses in our group. Later on when given a tour of the facility the vast majority of the nurses were ALL Filipino, and I remember seeing only 2 White nurses, and 1 Black nurse. That was it! Eventually the DON that hired us was fired.

IMO she was a very good DON who fought hard for the nurses. Especially the ones that were hired in my group. The acting DON (who is Filipino), began to hire ONLY Filipino nurses. She is NOT FAIR when it comes to issues that need to be addressed about individual nurses, especially if they're Filipino. She will write you up if you are not Filipino, however. I could go on, and on about this, but I want. Oh yeah, by the way, Tagalog is spoken not only in front of patients and visitor's, but even during shift report. Is this prevalent through out the nursing field, especially in LTC? And for the one's who reply to this article, please do not write, get another job. Really? As if that's so easy, especially for seasoned nurses like myself. Be blessed.

[VANurse2010]

*making some popcorn*

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Is there a written law, or code somewhere that says you have to be a Filipino nurse in order to work in LTC?

To answer your question, of course not. A law such as the one you describe would be racially prejudicial due to exclusion of nurses from other racial/ethnic backgrounds.

I see you are located in California, where a significant percentage of the nursing population is Filipino. Although I was born and bred in CA, I have been practicing nursing in another state for the past decade. I've only encountered two Filipino nurses in LTC in my area in the past 10 years.

It's all about location, location, location. LTC facilities are operated differently outside of California. Open your horizons.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Ok, I won't. But you should.

[noelly10]

*making some popcorn*

My thoughts exactly. I think I'll try some of that choco popcorn that everyone keeps talking about.

[AspiringNurseMW]

So I'm just a long time lurker not a nurse, and I'm starting nursing school in August. My question is what it your question /purpose of the post? Are you mostly venting? Are you looking for ways to work more effectively within your situation /coworkers? If leaving is not an option, what would be the next best thing that you desire?

From what it seems to me, idk how much you can change your environment, but then again I'm not a nurse . The only thing I suspect people will recommend is to separate annoying things and document document document things that are actually being done wrong and take it up the chain.

Otherwise I guess you can do your job and keep your head down if nothing is actually interfering with you doing your job effectively.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Is this prevalent through out the nursing field, especially in LTC?

I will mention once again that the majority of our membership is not in CA and, therefore, does not deal with the issues that plague the LTC facilities where you have worked.

TO THE MEMBERSHIP: Please be cognizant that this is a new member. If you cannot leave a respectful response that complies with our site's terms of service, then you might wish to refrain from commenting at all. Thank you.

[noelly10]

TO THE MEMBERSHIP: Please be cognizant that this is a new member. If you cannot leave a respectful response that complies with our site's terms of service, then you might wish to refrain from commenting at all. Thank you.

You are right. I apologize, OP.

[ixchel]

I know you have figured out where I'm going with this.

I actually had no idea where you were going with it at all.

Racial minorities in healthcare have frequently been the lone member of their race at their place of employment quite often. Please take a moment to think about that, then imagine how your post would sound if one of them made a post identical to yours.

(Mods, I apologize for my initial response and hope this one is more respectful.)

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I work in acute care in CA and a large percentage of our nurses are Filipino, too. I've heard it said that the largest export from the Philippines is people.

Their language, which is spoken frequently, doesn't bother me. I'm also not bothered by their friendliness with each other as I have no problem barging into other peoples groups and including myself.

The only thing I don't care for is their food, which is a shame. They seem to love feeding people and I could probably get a lot of free meals if I liked it.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The only thing I don't care for is their food, which is a shame. They seem to love feeding people and I could probably get a lot of free meals if I liked it.

Oh, man! I love Filipino food! Give me a huge bowl of pancet and I'll be the happiest woman on earth! Better yet, give me several dozen lumpia (little egg rolls)!

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

When I worked in LTC, there were 2 RN supervisors that were Filipino. They were quite nice and did speak their language when talking to each other, but their English was very good. I don't live in CA, so they weren't the majority and we had a decent balance of diversity amongst the nursing staff.

Also, it isn't fair but it isn't uncommon for people to hire their own race to fill positions. I'm sure I've been passed over for positions before because I'm not the race they were looking for. That's been happening since the beginning of time. It becomes noticeable when you aren't the race of the person in charge of hiring.