Tired of discrimination

Nurses Relations

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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.

Specializes in Ortho/Med/Surg.

Jadelpn, agree. only thing is it is a LTC and I've seen ppl leaving them as soon as they get their BSN.

Esme12, good idea. I would take the situation as a challenge for me to be a better professional. Although, I don't feel like contributing to someone who treating me like I'm not existing.

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Specializes in ER.

Dave Ramsey recommends a book by a Rabbi, which explains why the Jewish people, a historically discriminated against group, are successful. Here's a review of his book, Thou Shalt Prosper. You might want to read it to pick up some tips on how to better carry yourself in the future, to ensure your success. It may be that you are doing something now to undermine yourself.

http://capitalismsaves.com/2011/06/29/rabbi-daniel-lapin-and-the-secret-to-jewish-success.aspx

I have always been fascinated by the subject of Jewish success. It only takes a little attention to notice that Jews are disproportionately successful in business and finance than any other ethnic group in the United States, if not the world. As Rabbi Lapin explains, this is not to suggest that there are no poor Jews. But as the most consistently oppressed people throughout 3,000 years of history, the Jewish people could easily have been expected to cease existing altogether. But they haven't, and wherever Jews are afforded the slightest opportunity they tend to thrive.

Rabbi Lapin points out that Jews represent less than 2% of the American population, but in any given year may represent as much as 25% of the names on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans. Jewish households are also twice as likely to be wealthy as those of non-Jews. This is a remarkable phenomenon that deserves to be explored and hopefully explained.

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Appearance does matters! By that I do not mean the color of your skin or whether you cover your head. A Professional Nurse is neat, clean, and conducts oneself in a manner in which she or he wants to be treated. Just because someone walks past you in the hall or anywhere else and doesn't address you personally is NOT important. Things in life are NOT all about you. Maybe that is the problem here! Consider it!!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

As a white person 'of a certain age' I have had the very good fortune of never experiencing racial discrimination. However, I have been subjected to other types of bias ... particularly gender bias and (now) ageism. As a result, I have come to realize that perception of 'discrimination' is a personal experience. It is a gut feeling. People who have experienced it are much more sensitive to those 'vibes' than the very fortunate/clueless people who have never been on the receiving end. Just like a victim of assault, becomes extremely vigilant to the slightest signs of aggression in any interaction, individuals who have experienced discrimination are much more sensitive to it in the future.

Granted, that experience could cause a person to become hyper-sensitive to the the slightest indication of bias.... but I believe that those of us who are not in the same 'skin' simply aren't tuned in to the same vibes. As a result of my own experiences & reflection on this issue, I no longer attempt to dissuade anyone that their feelings of bias/discrimination are wrong or mistaken. It would be like telling them they are not really cold or fearful.

Just sayin' . . .

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
As a white person 'of a certain age' I have had the very good fortune of never experiencing racial discrimination. However, I have been subjected to other types of bias ... particularly gender bias and (now) ageism. As a result, I have come to realize that perception of 'discrimination' is a personal experience. It is a gut feeling. People who have experienced it are much more sensitive to those 'vibes' than the very fortunate/clueless people who have never been on the receiving end. Just like a victim of assault, becomes extremely vigilant to the slightest signs of aggression in any interaction, individuals who have experienced discrimination are much more sensitive to it in the future.

Granted, that experience could cause a person to become hyper-sensitive to the the slightest indication of bias.... but I believe that those of us who are not in the same 'skin' simply aren't tuned in to the same vibes. As a result of my own experiences & reflection on this issue, I no longer attempt to dissuade anyone that their feelings of bias/discrimination are wrong or mistaken. It would be like telling them they are not really cold or fearful.

Just sayin' . . .

I hear you on that...being of a certain age and having a disability I have seen discrimination in a different light.
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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
As a white person 'of a certain age' I have had the very good fortune of never experiencing racial discrimination. However, I have been subjected to other types of bias ... particularly gender bias and (now) ageism. As a result, I have come to realize that perception of 'discrimination' is a personal experience. It is a gut feeling. People who have experienced it are much more sensitive to those 'vibes' than the very fortunate/clueless people who have never been on the receiving end. Just like a victim of assault, becomes extremely vigilant to the slightest signs of aggression in any interaction, individuals who have experienced discrimination are much more sensitive to it in the future.

Granted, that experience could cause a person to become hyper-sensitive to the the slightest indication of bias.... but I believe that those of us who are not in the same 'skin' simply aren't tuned in to the same vibes. As a result of my own experiences & reflection on this issue, I no longer attempt to dissuade anyone that their feelings of bias/discrimination are wrong or mistaken. It would be like telling them they are not really cold or fearful. Just sayin' . . .

:yes:

I think being cognizant to all individuals is paramount in reducing such biases. I try to rule all possible avenues OUT, as a minority; sometimes the gut is there; I make sure I examine the situation before leading to that point.

Granted, those situations have become less and less in my 'skin' as of recently. My main focus is to be competent and knowledgable about my practice; I think my commitment to my practice an the inherent skill set I honed with being a nurse has helped.

OP, grow as a nurse personally-cultivate the best nurse you want to be and the rest will follow, whether it be at this facility or somewhere else.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I know the OP was venting, but the attitude that came across was very negative. And then to read that she's a brand new nurse who took time off for maternity leave . . . how is she even qualified for a promotion? As far as the DON stopping to speak to the housekeeper but not to the OP -- why would she want to stop to chat with someone she doesn't know very well, but whose attitude is negative? It could be she's worked with that housekeeper for decades AND that the housekeeper is fun to chat with. With the gigantic chip on the OP's shoulder, I doubt she'd be fun to chat with.

The "White Americans" stuff is offputting, too. When you come to the United States to live and work, you're going to encounter white Americans. If you don't want to encounter white Americans, then perhaps the United States isn't the best place. If indeed you want to live and work in the US, get over your bias against white Americans. They're just about the only unprotected group right now.

I worked with a Japanese nurse (briefly) who couldn't get over her bias against white Americans, and she ended up being terminated. After 25 years in this country, she attributed every negative thing in her life as discrimination by white Americans. Yet she couldn't learn to use the glucometers (because of her language difficulties, she said) or the phone system (because everyone was mean to her because of her accent) or the IV pumps (because there were no instruction manuals in Japanese.)

I'd encourage the OP to do something about the gigantic chip on her shoulder.

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I'm tired of being shamed for being a White American.

Guess I need to visit the tanning beds and fix this birth defect of mine.

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Specializes in LTC.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to not be white, seriously, I can't. I can't imagine what it would be like to have people think things about me based on my skin or religion. I, therefore, cannot make any comment as to the reality or perceptions of the OP.

I can say this, I have, in another career, experienced real horrifying sexual harassment. I was shamed for over a year into not reporting because of the notion that people are over sensitive, people who say they are discriminated against are just cry babies who can't hack it or blow things out of proportion. What I took from that is to never assume someone's reality.

OP if you feel you have been discriminated against, contact the EEOC or the labor board in your state. Follow your companies written procedures for reporting the discrimination. Don't let anyone shame you into believing what may be happening to you isn't real. You are smart enough to know if it's really bias, or lack of experience.

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Esme I know you are probably an amazing critical care nurse but dang girlfriend you would make a great attorney.

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Specializes in Ortho/Med/Surg.

You may think that I'm medditerian or something but I'm actually very pale and white in appearence and if I loose my scarf I'd look just like any white american minus the accent. But I thought it is a constitutional right to practice your religion. well. enough of that.I'm East-European origin and have settle accent, not bad. Some foriengers mistaken me for American sometimes. And I'm proficient with writing and speaking English.

I appreciate ppl who not too quick to juadge because you will never think the way minority thinks unless you've been a minority.

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You may think that I'm medditerian or something but I'm actually very pale and white in appearence and if I loose my scarf I'd look just like any white american minus the accent. But I thought it is a constitutional right to practice your religion. well. enough of that.I'm East-European origin and have settle accent not bad. Some foriengers mistaken me for American sometimes. And I'm proficient with writing and speaking English. I appreciate ppl who not too quick to juadge because you will never think the way minority thinks unless you've been a minority.[/quote']

Well, just give it a bit and White Americans WILL be a minority!

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/13/18934111-census-white-majority-in-us-gone-by-2043?lite

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