What to do if discriminated?

[asdpjr05rn]

I always believed that nursing before is a woman's world because of my desire to come to the US and fulfill that American dream. I decided to take up nursing as a bachelor's degree in the Philippines with much gusto.

I never actually any experience as a nurse in the Philippines eventhough I was licensed since 1996. I went to med school and was eventually licensed as well in 2002 as a Physician. I always hide this fact to my employer because it is more of a liability rather than an asset. (also in the US, I was ECFMG certified since 2007). I went to the US to visit my relatives and pass the NCLEX-RN as suggested by my relatives in California. I worked in California for 3 years jumping from one unit to another probably still searching for a niche in my nursing career. This all occured from 2003-2006.

I moved to NY to join my wife and accepted at one of the oldest and busiest Catholic medical center in Manhattan. It is expected that I would be on probation period for 3 months. Anyways, I worked at the Cath lab which is dominated by women with the New York attitude who basically tactless and culturally insensitive.

While in the process, I performed to the best of my abilities. ( I have ER experience and plus all those medical clerkship and internship experiences back home which could be considered critical care) My perceptor who is not white but raised and born in NYC always belittles my english communication skill and utters words " Maybe because of the language barrier that is why you don't understand me." It is so insulting to hear that statement because I know for a fact she talks so fast not even her co workers could understand her and she tries to level her 20 plus years experience in the Cath Lab to a novice which is unfair. Plus the fact that I am on probation I don't want to **** her off.

On my last few weeks at the Cath Lab, she made me worked like a dog. She made me handle literally half of the case of the day alone (unsupervised) which I don't mind because I know it is a learning experience. However, the bad part is at the end of the probation period, check this out, they kicked me out! And, claimed that I don't have any critical care abilities. The worst part was being terminated for this. They gave me a big black eye in my record as a nurse in the US. It is funny to note that I never compromised any patient. They never heard any patient complained about my care. They made me worked like a slave and heard insults because of my communication skill and intelligence. And they have the nerve to terminate me. They never offered the option that I should resign instead.

I feel so alienated at that department. Since I am out of probation then I voiced out my concern to the right people like the department head, head of NYSNA at that hospital and even to HR who handles such cases. Suprisingly, they never even reprimand my perceptor and justified that my termination is fair.

This experience really blew my ego as a nurse and I feel so helpless and that is why I am so thankful that I am heading to another state which I could re-start all over again.

[tk3100]

I am not certain how things are handled in New York, but my first call would be to a lawyer specializing in employment regulations. I am sorry for your terrible experience. I do not understand why you think your training as a physician in the Phillipines would hinder you here. Although you cannot practice as a physician until all conditions set forth by the medical board are met, I have worked with several people that were physicians in their home countries that could get and keep jobs here. Best of luck to you, and may you find a decent preceptor in your next job.

[noc4senuf]

It sounds from your post that you were able to do the job but, the personalities of yourself and your preceptor were not cohesive. I hope you find better luck at your next position.

I did want to say that at least where I work, all employees are hired as "at-will". Meaning, there is no contract between the employer and employee and the employer can let the employee go at anytime. During our 90 days of probation, we thoroughly appraise a new employee with evals at 30, 60 and 90 days. If we do not see them working out, yes, we do let them go.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

I have read some of your other posts and do wonder if there if there is a little more to what describe has happened in your situation.

Your probation period is just that, probation, for whatever reason your supervisor and hospital HR felt that you were unsuitable to fulfil the role that you were employed to do.

I am sorry that you feel discriminated against, but I am sure that comments such as this

dominated by women with the New York attitude who basically tactless and culturally insensitive.

and this is a comment you have made in another post

I wanted to tell them that don't underestimate a Filipino for all they know we hold far greater degree than their pathetic ADN they keep on boasting their X amount of experience which I respect but to diss someone because he or she is coming from a different background

here

I get the feeling this attitude and these types of comments would not have helped you work within this team of nurses. Now I have never worked in New York, heck I have never worked outside of Wales in the UK, but these are sweeping and fairly condeming statements maybe these feelings came across in your attitude and they way you interact with your colleagues.

I wonder if you need to take time to do a little reflection on what you could have done differently within your probation period and maybe use this as a learning experience.

[TazziRN, RN]

Oh my.........I didn't post when this first came out because I didn't want to make waves with my negative thoughts, but it seems that my feelings were more right than I thought.

OP, you need to dump your attitude about our pathetic ADN. BSNs have more education, yes, but we take the same NCLEX and start off on the same level, so I would take a "pathetic" ADN with 5 years' experience over a cocky BSN, no matter what country that BSN grad is from.......even one who is also a doctor. Doctoring and nursing are different professions.....one cannot automatically do the other.

I also have trouble envisioning an entire city having an attitude, especially one as culturally diverse as New York.

When a person is written up for something or terminated or whatever the discipline is, there is RARELY a part that the "victim" didn't play. In this post the OP was completely innocent. I would have believed this post more if he had taken some responsibility for what happened.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I worked at the Cath lab which is dominated by women with the New York attitude who basically tactless and culturally insensitive.

What exactly is the "New York" attitude? New York City is home to over 8 million individuals, and I find it highly dubious that they all have the exact same type of attitude. This is an unfair stereotype, as well as a sweeping generalization.

My perceptor who is not white but raised and born in NYC always belittles my english communication skill

Why is it important for us to know that your preceptor isn't white or Caucasian? A preceptor of any race or ethnicity could have very well poked fun at your English skills.

You might feel you've experienced discrimination, but your post reveals a discriminatory outlook against others. In other words, you might be receiving precisely what you are bestowing upon others. Good luck to you, and I hope you discover greener pastures.

[elkpark]

The OP also mentions "jumping from one unit to another" in CA over three years, which I suspect (given the rest of the post) is probably related as much to similar workplace issues/problems in CA, rather than simply "searching for a niche."

In the US, most nursing positions involve a probationary period during which either party, the employer or the employee, can choose to terminate the employment for any reason, no questions asked. Sounds like they decided you weren't working out and let you go. They can do that, and the nursing union reps and HR people even agreed the action was justified. Not sure how much of the situation is actually "discrimination."

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I've been to New York and Manhatten and NY City is very culturally diverse, I'll bet much more than the Philippines. Manhatten is a politically liberal area that prides itsself on its cultural awareness and diversity. I wouldn't doubt that New York City might be the greatest melting pot in the entire world, actually.

It sounds to me, rather, that the OP might have copped a condecending attitude that impeded his acceptance by the group that he is working with. Then he is blaming his ostracization on prejudice and intolerance instead of taking personal responsibility for his behaviour.