Why do I feel like an outsider?

Nurses Relations

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I just got a job which is majority Filipino. I am no way discriminating on them since my boyfriend is Filipino/black but they are cliquesh and I'm trying to learn some new skills and I hear them give report in their language and I really don't know what is going on until someone speaks to me in English. Is this what I've slaved for in Nursing school. I'm trying to be friendly and pretend like all this extra language isn't bothering me but it does effect my work. I've made two mistakes with charting, because if I sit with them I can't focus, if I sit away from them, oh you don't want to be around us? So asking how do you manage to fit in where there is majority of one race and be happy with new job. Also the manager is Filipino and there is a large sign that says "Everyone is encouraged to speak English" LOL !

BON= board of nursing

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what is BON

Board of Nursing. (Not to be confused with anything GOOD, like a bon bon...)

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

It sounds like you're gong to need to look for another job; the behavior there is so entrenched I doubt you'll ever change things. If you do get another job, I would report what you experienced to the BON. Patient safety is being compromised due to dysfunctional communication among staff, and the manager is looking the other way.

This is lateral violence and it shouldn't be tolerated. Have you gone up the chain of command about your situation? I would start there and document everything you have done to rectify the situation.

When I worked as an aide I worked at a nursing home where the other aides spoke PA Dutch, and sometimes I knew they were talking about me, so I can sympathize to a degree.

I wish you the best.

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Tagalog spoken on the floor during work hours in front of non speakers is rude, unsafe and a form of bullying. Regardless of the intent, it's not ok. Aside from nursing staff that needs to understand what is happening, for example ME, as I'm in orientation, it's rude to the patient and their families. So over it. Management does nothing. It's divisive and does not bridge any cultural gaps. I feel that sometimes it IS intentional to make a person feel unwelcome that is not Filipino so they will leave. Eventually a filipino will probably take that job. So there ya go. I'll stick with the places that don't endorse this type of behavior.

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Specializes in Pediatric.
Tagalog spoken on the floor during work hours in front of non speakers is rude, unsafe and a form of bullying. Regardless of the intent, it's not ok. Aside from nursing staff that needs to understand what is happening, for example ME, as I'm in orientation, it's rude to the patient and their families. So over it. Management does nothing. It's divisive and does not bridge any cultural gaps. I feel that sometimes it IS intentional to make a person feel unwelcome that is not Filipino so they will leave. Eventually a filipino will probably take that job. So there ya go. I'll stick with the places that don't endorse this type of behavior.

It seems impossible to fix!

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i wish not understanding the language was my only issue.

-the assignments are NEVER distributed evenly. even if it causes safety concerns for others. THEY get all the walking/talking easy patients.

-they cover each other when they make mistakes. it's never documented, even if there is harm to the patient.

-they vote themselves into power. a solid hispanic nurse was promoted to a charge position and they voted her off the panel, only to select a less qualified person because they are Filipino.

i have been at my position for a year and 8 nurses have left. they were all non-Filipino new graduates. i am just finishing up my year and putting in my 2 weeks notice.

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Thank you for sharing that, I am sorry you are experiencing such a negative work environment. Good for you that you stuck it out for a year!! Seriously I don't know how these places get away with it!! Such a joke. At the facility where I work, we just signed an inservice that states we cannot speak any non english language in front of patients or patient's family members. Everyone completely ignores it, it's not enforced and even the charge nurses totally ignore it! So unprofessional I give up.

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