I wanted to ask other nurses what they think of a current situation I'm in and what advice might help me.

I moved to Texas about 2 years ago. I have had many bad experiences with trying to find a job I'm actually happy with.I originally started out in management, but after 3 positions, decided maybe just to get out of management. The last position I had was as an ENT supervisor at a large clinic in Houston.My preceptor was an African-American nurse. You'll see why that detail is important in a minute.

Anyway, this nurse was very rude and condescending to me the minute she started training me. Conviently, my boss went on vacation 2 days after I started, so I had no-one to turn to. After 2 weeks of being near teras , I finally decided I'd had enough. I did confide to a fellow manager who told me I was being treated this way by this nurse b/c I was white. I dismissed it and thought nothing of it.

I did however confront this nurse and I told her it just wasn't working out with her being my preceptor. I explained it was nothing personal, sometimes people just don't click. I was given a different orientation schedule as a result. I thought all was ok, when the following week, I was accused of making racist comments. I was never told who said I made them, or what I supposedly said. I felt railroaded and ended up resigning.

Here I am close to a year later. I've been working agency,but getting cancelled alot. I decided to sign up for some PRN pools in hospitals close to my house. I was even encouraged to apply by fellow nurses. What's weird is they seem enthusiastic at first, but then nothing.I feel so dejected. I have never used that clinic as a reference, but I'm getting concerned that somehow, this is coming back to haunt me.

Any advice? I even called an HR yesterday and left a message to have the HR person return my call. No response. The amount of disrespect to nurses here is appalling. It's like they could care less about you. It's really starting to depress me.

Additionally, there is a service that will pretend to be a potential employer (for a fee)  and check your references to see if someone is badmouthing you.   Someone mentioned it on a nursinglink forum a few months back. 

All good advice! Good luck....don't give up!

Hello ckruszk,

I am new to the boards and read your statement regarding your work situation.  In my opinion, she is not racist, but women in "higher positions" tend to be condescending to their lower-rank employees, regardless of sex or ethnicity.  Women with a little bit of education will remind you, and others, constantly of your lack of education and/or job role, compared to theirs, and how much better they are compared to you.  I hate to say this, but women in command sometimes power and ego-trip.

How is your situation currently with your manager/employer?

emtpixie, that's not a little sexist...............its a whole lot sexist!   You hit the nail on the head!

LOL Angie! I was TRYING to be a little tactful and diplomatic. Not one of my stronger points, I don't beat around the bush....I chop the dang thing down!

workinprogress says ...

Hello ckruszk,

I am new to the boards and read your statement regarding your work situation.  In my opinion, she is not racist, but women in "higher positions" tend to be condescending to their lower-rank employees, regardless of sex or ethnicity.  Women with a little bit of education will remind you, and others, constantly of your lack of education and/or job role, compared to theirs, and how much better they are compared to you.  I hate to say this, but women in command sometimes power and ego-trip.

How is your situation currently with your manager/employer?

 

 I was not in a lower position. We were both RN's with BSNs. She was supposed to be precepting me. Not treating me like a 2 year old child. We were both supervisors. As a matter of fact, we were the only RN's on that floor , so that was their explanation for me having to have her as a preceptor.I finally got enough and siad"No more."

I tried getting help, but all of HR were African American and did not seem interested in helping me in anyway. I called a nurse who i liked in nursing education, and she said she `didn't think I came across as a racist person at all.