Two new studies, one done in the U.S. and the other in the U.K., document the systematic discrimination against Indian (mostly Mallu) nurses. From Indolink:
The author says that the [U.S.] study underscores the continuing inequities of our health care system and concludes that the challenge is to establish a more just and effective environment for those who provide health care.
As one of the nurses said, I have proven myself over and over. What do we have to do to get recognized? What makes me mad is I would never have been able to do all the things I have done if I had stayed in India We own a house, my children have gone to college, and yet here, I feel like I dont belong.
Another commented: I have not been treated badly, but I know I am not treated the same as the other White nurses
An Indian nurse with 26 years experience observed: I think I am in the middle White is the top and Black is the bottom.
The British study notes similar conclusions:
The British study by Michael Shields and Stephen Price, and entitled Racial Harassment Evidence from the British Nursing Profession, defines racial harassment as behavior towards the individual nurse that is perceived to be difficult, aggressive or hostile on the grounds of race or color.
This study confirms that nurses from South Asia are victims of racial harassment from hospital staff as well as patients. Furthermore, the study reveals that South Asian nurses are likely to experience abuse on a frequent basis. More than half of the Indian nurses reported having been the victim of racial harassment by patients or their families during their working lives.
