Virginia Nurses Today - August 2020

www.VirginiaNurses.com | Virginia Nurses Today August, September, October 2020 | Page 35
she worked the day shift as the charge nurse. I was doing well on my job according
to my evaluations during my probationary period. However, at the end of my first
year, which determined if I would be promoted, my evaluation shocked me. The
written portion did not reflect what I had been told and the check off portion was all
average. It said I excelled at nothing. I reminded my head nurse that she had made
no indication that my work was only average. I had been told I was doing well. The
explanation was, I had not been in the charge nurse role and had not been evaluated
in my leadership abilities. Do I need to say the conversation ended in a conference
with the supervisor and a rewriting of my evaluation?
Growing up in rural Virginia, I was introduced to the throws of segregation. I
know what it means to wait in the colored waiting room in the white doctor’s office,
which was the only one in our county. I have used the colored toilets with the chipped
and rust-stained toilet bowls and sinks. I cannot remember drinking from the colored
water fountain but I do remember them being located in the dark hall near the toilet.
As I have lived and moved around, I have faced racial discrimination in different
manners. I lived in a very small town in a southwestern state where the Black
population was 7%. In reading a book about the town, the story says Blacks were
driven out of town in fear for their lives when a white deputy sheriff was killed by a
“half-witted Negro” in a bad crap game. As there was no organized or fair law and
order, the Negroes were told not to let the sun go down on them in that town. The
next morning, there was not a single Black person left in town. This story was told
with relevance and pride by some of the citizens. There were no attempts to hide the
dislike of people who were not native to that county. That included race, ethnicity,
and any one further north than the adjoining county. It held very true for the older
people in town.
As a nurse, I have faced situations of patients asking for the nurse while I am
providing care for them with my name tag that clearly included RN. I have had
patients send for the charge nurse and refused to talk to me when I arrived. I have
been told by patients that they did not want me to provide their care and there
was one incident when I was the only licensed nurse on duty and I had to stand
by the bedside while a white nursing assistant physically handed the patient the
medications that I had prepared. The patient refused to take them from me. Today,
I would have to write ‘refused’ and the patient would have been without medications.
The refusal was because of the color of my skin.
In my fifty wonderful years of working with patients on many levels, in many
facilities, and of many races, ethnic backgrounds, creeds, and cultures, I have faced
racist remarks and behaviors. Not one of these deterred me from being a registered
nurse, a nurse practitioner, a nurse educator, prepared at the doctoral level. If
anything, it propelled me forward.
In the Midst of a Walk
Sandra Olanitori, MS, RN
As a member of ANA/VNA, I took part in the opportunity
that was offered to all members to reserve a room at any
Hilton Hotel during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United
States to “get away.” I reserved a room at a Hilton Hotel in
Washington, D.C. from May 31 to June 4 of this year. The
incident involving Mr. George Floyd happened some days
before. During this time in D.C., you could see writings such
as “Black Lives Matter” on statues, buildings and signs that
many people were carrying. As my grandson and I were
walking to get food from the local eating spots, we were
in the midst of a walk involving many people with signs
and chanting “Black Lives Matter,” “Justice for All,” “Stop
Racism,” “Stop Modern Day Lynching,” and “Stop Police Brutality.” All of these signs
made me reflect back on the discrimination, racial injustices, biases and prejudices
that I have faced in my life growing up and in my professional career as a registered
nurse because of the color of my skin.
During this walk to get food, I stopped and leaned against a building and closed
my eyes; I could see what I have faced in my lifetime. I said to myself that these acts
have never left. History and the mindset of this country is just repeating itself. Some
of the things in my reflection are:
• I asked a nursing supervisor who was white for the night shift nurse’s aide
position because I wanted to go to nursing school. She told me she would grant
the request, but that I will never make it and will come crawling back to her to
ask for the day shift again.
• One day I was working at the medication cart in full uniform including the
nurse’s cap, mixing meds to put in an IV solution. The white doctor came to me
and said, “where is the nurse, I need some assistance.”
• Many times at the nurse’s station I could hear white doctors say, “I do not want
a Negro or colored nurse to take care of my patients; they cannot think.”
This is the tip of the iceberg. There are many more stories that I can remember.
But the question is, “How did I survive in my profession?” I thought about the Black
nurses that came before me and they survived. They survived with integrity, grit,
perseverance and a love for the profession. They did it and I can do this. It was hard
and it is still hard.
The following are other strategies I used for survival:
• The Black nurses worked together to form organizations such as Chi Eta Phi
Sorority, Inc. and the Black Nurses Association to provide and improve the
health of Black Americans nationwide. Black nurses gave their all to their
patients and careers. Many times this was done without any recognition. The
first Black woman to become a judge was the Honorable Jane Bolin. During
her time, she stated, “Those gains we have made were never graciously and
generously granted. We had to fight every inch of the way.” I followed this
woman’s work and professional ethics and I have enjoyed my profession to the
fullest despite the obstacles I have faced.
• I have to constantly pray and ask my God for help every day to continue my
journey in being a registered nurse.
Think about this: the first Black woman to receive an international pilot’s license
was Bessie Coleman. During her time, she stated, “The air is the only place free from
prejudices. I, as the nurse of today, want to see the same thing on land. When is it
coming?”
Reflections on Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion
Karen Faison, PhD, APRN-BC, CNE
My perception of diversity, equity and inclusion is based
upon my experiences as a youth growing up in segregated
Washington, DC in the 1950s and ‘60s. During that time,
my neighborhood and public schools were Black. The
grocery stores and other businesses we frequented were run
by Caucasians and were located in our segregated Black
community. All of my healthcare was delivered by Black
health professionals. I had access to Freedmen’s Hospital,
where I was born, which is now Howard University Hospital.
My grandmother completed practical nursing school
in Washington, DC. Her graduation picture shows a class
of Black ladies surrounded by white faculty. Again, that
was the 1950’s. The picture is consistent with what we know as the early challenges
within nursing education: too few Black faculty to teach Black nurses to deliver
nursing services to Black patients.
My desire to become a nurse was developed in high school. I attended a
historically Black college/university and began my professional journey with my first
staff nurse position located in Georgia. There, I noted I was one of only a few Black
RNs in the entire hospital. Later, I would transition to other hospitals in southern
states where I remember I was one of a few Black RNs. When I advanced to graduate
school to become a nurse practitioner, I was the only Black RN in my concentration.
Frequently in the clinical setting, I would be the only Black healthcare provider.
As time went on, I thought we were getting better and including more Black
students in nursing. However, today there is definitely a lack of Black nurses. The
patients will greatly benefit from Black nurses who are more sensitive to the needs
and cultural influences of the Black patient. There is also a need for Black nurses
on boards and in educational settings. As a representative of the community, we can
bring a varied perception on issues facing our community. This has become very
evident during the pandemic where many people of color have an adverse outcome.
Nursing education, a social determinant of health, underscores the need for
diversity in the profession. A pipeline for students to consider nursing as a profession
should begin in middle school. This should continue into high school in order to
prepare students for the rigor of nursing school. The percentage of Black nursing
students are on the decline; while the percentage of Black communities with chronic
diseases and poor outcomes is on the rise.
The nursing profession can make a concerted effort to diversify the profession to
include minorities and people of color. This will assist in addressing a more equitable
workforce that is sensitive to the needs and cultural differences within communities.
Being inclusive will strengthen the healthcare workforce. Professional goals related to
diversity, equity and inclusivity are long overdue. The time is now as we move forward
in this era of social justice and the “Year of the Nurse and Nurse Midwife.” Nursing
must be a part of the conversation.
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