The Past Discrimination in Medicine The world is a very different place than it was 50 years ago. Discrimination is no longer legal or tolerated. Today if a patient goes to a medical practice, regardless of the color of their skin, sexual orientation, or religious preference, they will be seen and treated with dignity. No patient has to worry about being turned away based on these factors; however, it has not always been this way. 1950s In the 1950s hospitals were busy places. Polio was a concern, the population explosion was at an all-time high, medical technology was in the early stages, and if you happened to be black, you could expect to receive care differently that white people. Some hospitals had a floor or two designated to the care of anyone that was not considered Caucasian. The floor designated to the care of persons of color were marked as such, usually reading just that, floor for colored only. The nurses were always black, and they were only allowed to care for patients that were also black. It was a much divided world at the time, both for the patients and the medical personnel. Related: International Nurses Association - Today's Nurse Ms. J. is now an elderly lady, still very sharp and alert, born in 1932, she was a nurse working in hospitals from 1955-1880. She remembers how things changed over the years, and she will never forget how it was when she was just starting out as a nurse. Her first day at work was one she will always remember, she was so excited to finally be working as a nurse. The first thing Ms. J. was told when she arrived, ready for her first day, was that the elevators were for white personnel only, and when reporting to work, she would always use the stairs. Ms. J. walked those stairs every day for the next 12 years. She talks about the discrimination that existed at the time she was new in nursing. The rules that she was not allowed to use the elevators remained in place until 1964. The rules that permitted her from interacting with causation patients slowly began to change in the early 60s, however it was not until 1966 that the hospital removed the barriers and accepted all races throughout the hospital floors, and not separated. Ms. J. said she felt like she was a part of history on the day that the staff were told the hospital would now be fully intergraded, however not everyone was glad to see this happen. Ms. J was harassed and ridiculed by several nurses, and tolerated some rejection by a few patients that would refuse to allow anyone
of color work with them. When asked how Ms. J. felt when people rejected her care and attention, she said that she always knew it was their loss, and she moved on to the next patient. Times were different then, even blood banks separated blood supplies, often leaving shortages, yet this was not completely eliminated until the mid-60s. By the early 1970s hospitals were integrated, and changes were made to ensure the equality of all nurses. Today, the world is a different place. Hospitals hire based on the ability of the person, and do not consider the color of one’s skin, a person’s sexual orientation, or their religious preferences. Hospitals need and want great qualified nurses, and know that great qualified nurses are available in every race and gender. There have been great strides in health care, and there have been great strides in hiring based on ability. Visit any American hospital today and you will notice a diverse group of nurses, working together and caring for patients. Nurses that practice now are for the most part, too young to have experienced the government guidelines that divided the races. Medical facilities were within the guidelines of the laws to discriminate, which changed in the mid-1960s. There is currently a proposal to organize a nursing museum which would have a section that devoted to what nurses of color went through prior to desegregation laws. Nurses, be glad you are practicing in the best of times, and treated with the respect that you deserve. Keep up the great work. Related: International Nurses Association - What's Your Superpower? Tshirt Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter