These six Aboriginal Rns would have two major issues to begin their new career. One initial problem would be there being ex-students and new to the professional field of nursing. Being ex-students’ becomes quite an issue for new RNs. Acceptance by more experienced staff in the field, still treated as students and not fully accepted as RNs. These newly qualified RNs have to prove themselves to other staff. A difficult burden to carry when attempting to learn the new system, get to know different staff as well as give an efficient and effective nursing service to patients. This occurs when they are acknowledged, their demonstrated skills, education, training and form professional relationships. Raises another issue in our study as the new RNs are of local Aboriginal network and culture, working in a Western based medical system. We are informed that the Indigenous groups were pleased with the concept of nursing being given by same culture nurses, in fact they were asked for rather than the non Indigenous patients. This of course would give some positive feedback and acceptance for the new RNs. It is likely that some non Indigenous staff would not appreciate this, it causing some envy and further thoughts and treatment of the Aboriginal groups as ‘other’ holding consequences for them. Whilst others may appreciate knowledge of the local indigenous population.
Such non acceptance demonstrates that although they have joined the system they are officially ‘in’ they have not been accepted as ‘part’ of it. This being a serious sign of discrimination from other staff and colleagues and a demonstration of ‘white privilege’. Such discrimination led to counselling and eventual resignation of one, then over a short time the health facility lost the other five Aboriginal RN’s. The white privilege theory shows the continuance of Australia’s’ history of building a nation with