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.

[monkeybug]

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

If you're going to work on your BSN, then I'm guessing you're an ADN. In many facilities, ADNs are not eligible for leadership positions. Have you considered that this might be why some people are getting promotions and you aren't? As for someone not speaking to you, maybe you looked busy and she didn't want to bother you.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Please enlighten us all to the specific examples of discrimination happening in this thread. That's a fairly large accusation, so be clear.

I don't think anyone said the OP was as fault for being upset?

She is being racially discriminated against just because she says so and everyone should blindly accept that and enable her? Is it that shocking that a bunch of nurses would ask for clarification/evidence? Would you say that referring to different subsets of Americans by skin color is racist?

Do you think if we took race entirely out of the picture, that a RN with poor written skills who has been working less than six months in their role should expect a promotion? Do you think perhaps some more time in the job, a higher degree, improved communication might improve the chances of promotion?

The original post, with its multiple references toward "white americans" causing all of the original poster's problems was probably one of the most racially discriminatory posts I've ever read. And then the poster goes on to say in subsequent posts that SHE is also white. It's all about the head scarf. Between that and the fact that the OP communicates so poorly in written English and the fact that she's only worked a few months as a nurse, it's fairly obvious that being passed over for promotion is NOT racial discrimination.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I have no doubt you're picking up hostile vibes- but mind that you're not putting them out there too. That just spirals and nobody is happy.

This is some very good advice! I hope the OP benefits from it.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Maybe the OP needs to grow a thicker skin.

I tell my coworkers if you want to insult me you better make it blatant, because I give everybody the benefit of the doubt.

I never can understand why some people go out of their way to feel miserable and angry.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

Imagine being a "white American" in one of the most diverse cities in the US. I don't have to imagine it, I am living it. I love the diversity, and while any people I know (sadly) still have issues with it (I wouldn't live there, work there, send my kids to school there, etc), I think it is an amazing learning experience. Every single semester I learn something new through my students or my patients. I learn about religion, food, families, clothing, holidays, health beliefs and death.

I have aver known white colleagues of mine that were passed up for proportions and denied tenure, in the academic setting. This is huge; not just being passed up for assistant nurse manager. Everything you have worked for comes to a grinding hault. Have people of other races, religions and ethnicities been passed up as well? I bet. My point is, it most likely wasn't about that.

However, when living in such a diverse city, it is believed (and I do not disagree) that there should be a nice representation of all of the residents of the area. My child is waiting to hear about high school acceptances; hundreds (in some cases, thousands) are applying for a very limited number of seats. Might she get passed up if they already found a sufficient number of white kids? It's possible. Some will even take an equal number of boys and girls. So if she is smarter or more qualified than a number of boys who do get accepted, she may be denied. Is that right? It just IS.

But I digress- because I don't believe that is the issue with the OP.

Its very easy easy to look at an "objective" reason why something didn't go your way. When I was in nursing school, and didn't get a job offer (when the hospitals came to the school and did on-site interviews), I was convinced it was because of my age. I was 20. And truth be told, I probably acted like I was 20. Not in an unprofessional way, but in my overall presence- lack of life-experience, social skills, firm handshake, inability to ask the right questions, etc. I was amongst my classmates who were "grown ups"; many of which had much better GOAs than me, and probably were better in clinical than me.

OP- did you actually apply for the promotion? Or were you waiting for them to seek you out? Assuming you were as equally qualified as your peer who got it, did you ever think that. Aye they didn't know you were interested? Not everyone wants to move io the ladder, especially someone who just had a baby, is new in their role (yes you are a new RN, despite your LPN experience) and is considering going back to school.

of you did apply, and were turned down, understand that you may never know why. I think every nurse on this forum can back me up on this one- they don't have to tell you why you didn't get the job.

As as you grow old and wise (like me, lol) you'll come to realize that if it was meant to be, it was meant to be. Jobs, school acceptances, relationships, all life experiences. If you are good enough, another opportunity will present itself. But stop playing the blame game.