Tired of discrimination

[Al.ginger]

Hi, Im RN and I'm also ESL (English second language) speaker and I cover my hair (for religious purposes). And I'n tired of being treated as crap by my management. I work for the same place for 4 years, as an aid, TMA and then RN. What I've notice that if you re not white American you will never be promoted, you will not get hours you want, you will be treated like crap. Of course all management is white americans. And as soon as one comes on the floor they soon get promoted to office/better schedule job.

I'm venting. Today the DON was on my floor, showing place around and didn't even say HI to me, while I was running around working short stuffed. She did find time to say HI and friendly chat with housekeeper who, guess what? White American lady.

I'm tired of being treated like a crap just because of the way I look and my accent. I think I'm good professional and want to be judged by my performance and not appearance.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

If you can speak a second language, make sure management knows. I know my hospital is always looking for translators. Acting as a translator could get you more exposure to other areas of the hospital, other people etc. You never know where the next job opportunity could come from. Also, get onto some committees if you can. The more exposure you have, the better your chances for promotion

[Al.ginger]

Esme12, your comment has some information that I didn't not provide in my initial post. Please explain where you get it?

As for my experience, I was working as LPN before at my workplace which is the same duties.

"Most new grads don't get promoted". Unfortunately they do at our place with person who got license the same time I did. Or with someone working for just a year after graduation. They do both had a common factor.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

when you click on your name, it shows all your previous posts. Mentioned child, etc.

I wiki'd ( i know not official resource, but fairly accurate?)

Over 75.0% of Minnesota's residents are of Western European descent, with the largest reported ancestries being German (38.6%), Norwegian (17.0%), Irish (11.9%), and Swedish(9.8%).^[8] As of the 2005–2007 American Community Survey, 6.5% of the residents were foreign-born, compared to 12.5% for the nation.^[9] The state has had the reputation of being relatively racially homogeneous, but that is changing. The Hispanic population of Minnesota is increasing rapidly,^[10] and recent immigrants have come from all over the world, including Hmongs,^[11] Somalis, Vietnamese, and emigrants from the former Soviet bloc.

Maybe you need to move to a more culturally diverse city. Somewhere warm would be nice too.

If things havent changed for you in 4 years , they arent going to change now no matter what you do. Go somewhere else.good luck

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Esme12, your comment has some information that I didn't not provide in my initial post. Please explain where you get it?

As for my experience, I was working as LPN before at my workplace which is the same duties.

"Most new grads don't get promoted". Unfortunately they do at our place with person who got license the same time I did. Or with someone working for just a year after graduation. They do both had a common factor.

It isn't hard....Your past posts. I almost always look at past posts to know how to best answer questions/posts. As far as the "others promoted" were they the same degree?

Feb 23, '13 by Al.ginger

I know after graduation people start frantically looking for jobs. I have a conflicting feelings on what I should do.

I'm graduating in May and having a baby in June. Should I still apply for jobs as a new grad??? Here is the twist: I already have a LPN job in LTC. This is on-call position but my manager always asking if I'm done with school yet and can become regular. I won't have problem getting job there. However, this is not the place I ultimately want to work at.

I'm also going to start part-time RN-BSN program.

So, I have couple thoughts:

1) keep on-call position, concentrate on getting BSN in shortest time and enjoy time with baby.

2) Get regular position with my current employer, get BSN and experience and then, look for better job.

3) start applying to better jobs right after graduation.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

?post partum depression?

[bebbercorn]

Perhaps it is where you live. I cover my hair for religious purposes, and while some approach me more cautiously, I have never felt discriminated against when it comes to promotions or raises. In fact, I consider this a challenge for me to work harder and have an optimistic attitude at work, lest someone think less of people of my faith. We already have a bad reputation... so I'm out to prove everyone wrong. Discrimination in the workplace does exist, rise above it and make it a challenge to change your environment.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

It isn't hard....Your past posts. I almost always look at past posts to know how to best answer questions/posts. As far as the "others promoted" were they the same degree?

Perhaps OP lets on that this isn't their ideal position. In this case, would make sense for others to be promoted before her.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

What made you assume that it was discrimination and not a myriad of other factors?

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Because it seems like everyone just automatically yells discrimination when things don't go their way.

[Al.ginger]

Esme12, mane of promoted were new grads LPNs and RNs and one thing in common. What I've mentioned. I discuss the situation with a person who used to work with me. He agreed with my position. It's not out right discrimination, its more undermining ppl of other culture. I guess it can happen in small community as m work place is.

I'm going to work on my BSN and look for places with more diversity in staff and patients. May be my bi-lingval skills would be appreciated there

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

As a long term LPN, i was told in fact if I did not get my BSN I could poop rainbows and glitter and would no longer have a job if I did not do so. There are days when I am made to feel so under-valued it is shocking.

Oh, but I got to train the new BSN's first in clinical skills. Otherwise, I would get passed in the hall as if I were not even there. A couple of management people--regardless of race would stare blankly at me if I said "hi" and claim they forgot my name. And I have been at the facility for more years than they have been alive. I can not justify poor and unprofessional behaviors on the fact of my race, and neither should you. Quite honestly, it is the easiest thing to blame any issues on--when, in fact, this may not be the case.

There are many facilities who won't hire anything but a BSN. It has not one thing to do with race. There is a hyper-focus on the numbers of BSN's that they can put down on paper to look good that anything less than that and the focus is completely elsewhere.

Oh, and BTW, in my neck of the woods there are many supervisors who are people of color. They are educated to the level the facility is currently seeking. Should you obtain your BSN and beyond, I would be curious if the treatment you describe would change.

Because most facilities are kicking themselves for hiring anything less than a BSN (up to a few years ago, there were many less imposed "rules" regarding this) in protected jobs that they have to find reason to let an LPN or an ADN go--and they will most of the time attempt to get out of paying unemployment when they do layoffs.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Esme12, many of promoted were new grads LPNs and RNs and one thing in common. What I've mentioned. I discussed the situation with a person who used to work with me. He agreed with my position. It's not out right discrimination, its more undermining ppl of other culture. I guess it can happen in small community as my work place is.

I'm going to work on my BSN and look for places with more diversity in staff and patients. May be my bi-lingual skills would be appreciated there

If you can prove it then you can report them to the EEOC Filing a Charge

I just think you need to look at other factors as well and be sure that you are assessing the situation accurately. You need to be the best nurse you can be and be sure that your disatisfaction with the current environment isn't affecting what you project to others.