Disclaimer: I HATE playing the race card, but I think it may be time to do so. There's a CNA at Dad's AL that has always seemed...different with Daddy. Granted, of the 222 rooms in the facility, I would probably guess that 40 or less are people of color. I've personally witness this staff member literally walk past the African American patients.
Most recently, another CNA that my father ADORES (young African American male) was temporarily suspended because of a (what was later determined) fraudulent report about his work. I wrote a letter on his behalf and he was reinstated.
Not too long after that incident, some of the African American employees were upset because this snotty nurse allegedly referred to one of the residents as a "monkey". I didn't personally hear the comment, so I didn't get involved.
This morning, however, she became testy with me. Other staff members alerted me that my Dad's medications were getting low, and I ordered them from the VA last week. They are due to arrive Tuesday. While I appreciate the second heads up, I was disturbed by her tone...
She stated that I should "know better" than to let his medications get low considering I'm a nurse... Well, I'm NOT a nurse. Daddy for some reason tells people that.
When I explained that I am not a nurse, but had ordered the medication, she commented, and I quote "I don't expect any more from YOU PEOPLE..."
I literally hung up the phone on her. I've heard comments throughout the facility that she is racist, and I REALLY don't want Dad to deal with that (he was a young man in the Jim Crowe south during the 50's and 60's-- aren't we past this)?!?!?!
Again, I don't want to play the race card, but I think this may merit a report to her supervisor. What say you?
It just makes no sense to even have to deal with such stupidity in 2016.
As for ordering meds, because Dad gets them from the VA, only I can order them (dumb beaurocratic nonsense if you ask me).
The least I can do is ask her to be removed from Dad's service. He commented that he didn't really like her. At the time I just thought he was being his normal, grouchy self. Maybe not...
Your father is in an Assisted Living Facility. I'm still struggling with why Nurse Snot sees fit to pass comment on the meds ordering business at all. You were told they were getting low, you've ordered them, they will arrive in due course - what was she chipping in her two penn'orth for anyway?
Is this woman going to be involved in your father's care long-term? Because if so, if only to clear the air, I think if it were me I would ask for an informal meeting with her. I would say that it was to go over a few points of Daddy's care, and I would take the opportunity to say, in a tone of genuine enquiry, "is there some problem here?"
Because you need to know, and so do the other residents, and so do the other staff team members, whether people of colour or not. If there is someone who is supposed to be a professional taking a dismissive or frankly insulting attitude towards people of different ethnicity from her in such a way that it affects her work, and other people's wellbeing, and her ability to provide the service she's paid for, you all need to know.
So, Nurse, I'm sorry, but do we have a problem?
PS I can't really see what the ratio of ethnic groups has to do with it. What, because there aren't very many of one group among the residents it's only to be expected that she can't keep a civil tongue in her head? I don't think so!
PPS Sometimes looking a person in the eye is all you need to do to blow away stereotypical delusions. Once she knows you as an individual, and you've dealt with her fair-and-square, you may find you've nipped this problem in the bud. And that would do everyone a favour.
Hard to know if complaining of racism is the right way to go - where we live many of the caregivers are Filipino and they always chat in Tagalog and laugh so who knows what they are saying about the residents - - I'm always afraid of retribution anyway so I go out of my way to be friendly with the staff - learn their names and bring treats in for them and occasionally slip a little gift card to them
That said I have noticed one or two who's behavior was not acceptable and I've raised that up but I pick my battles carefully - there's a new caregiver who was rude to me and I've seen her rude to other residents - I'm keeping my eye on her before deciding to report her
I've witnessed plenty of cnas asleep in the hall while patients are calling for help but I wonder though why a CNA would be calling you about your dad's meds - aren't these only handled by a licensed nurse? If not then this is something to complain about - what type of facility is dad in - assisted living or nursing home?
I am white, so how I handle it when treated poorly by someone who is black is I either ignore or answer back with kindness. The difference is that I don't have to live depending on the people. If I were black and there was a racist white person such as the one you describe, I would talk to the other black people around to see if they had trouble, then submit a letter signed by many. That would have far more influence than a complaint by one.
Sorry you're going through this. Most people in Birmingham are getting beyond the past, but I know there are a few people who are still hiding their white sheets in the closet. Dealing with a racist is never pleasant, so I would try to approach it as a group.
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