How Helpful is Being Bilingual?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 27, 2007

I've found it to be very helpful on the job here in TX. Since I'm a gringo, I'm never sure whether interviewers believe that I really speak decent Spanish, so I can't say that it has ever been the major factor behind me getting hired anywhere.

rnin02 · Apr 27, 2007

I would imagine it is extremely helpful! If not to get the job, then to actually work it! We have so many patients come in with very little english skills, and its very frustrating for them and for those of us who can't communicate with them. And so isolating for the patient in the middle the night if their visitor (translator) can't stay with them. And its not just spanish that would be helpful, french, farsi, many other languages.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 27, 2007

VERY helpful to have fluency in Spanish for me!

LatinGirl · Apr 27, 2007

I find that for me personally being bilingual has helped me tremendously. I not only am able to communicate with my hispanic patients, but am also called to translate for other patients throughout the hospital.

Myxel67 · Apr 27, 2007

Being able to speak Spanish is a huge plus where I live. I'm a diabetes educator and we do outpatient classes in both languages. Also, because I speak Spanish, the other nurse on our team does not have to be able to speak Spanish. Our nurse manager is from Spain. One dietitian is from Columbia, another is from Cuba. Our therapist (LCSW) is from Cuba, our unit secretary is from Venezuela. And me? I'm from Mobile, AL, and that's where I learned to speak Spanish--without a Southern accent!

GrnHonu99, RN · Apr 27, 2007

Hey Everyone, Just wondering how helpful it would be if you were fluent in lets say, Spanish? Is that a major plus when looking for a job?

I work in Phoenix, AZ and let me tell you....if I was fluent in spanish my job would be 100x easier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our spanish speaking population is huge here. Its my next goal, to learn the language. Its so frustrating to have a spanish speaking pt. only and not being able to communicate with them...and yes I get an interperter but he/she cant stay my whole shift!

Trauma Columnist · Apr 27, 2007

I think the above posters have great points....however, I live in the corn belt in rural central IL and we have only a small Hispanic population. However, I work with many other nationalities because of business so if I was to go bilingual, am unsure which language to choose...

lovejana22 · Apr 27, 2007

i know spanish as well as sign language!!! i was told that would help a bunch.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 27, 2007

I am gringa with a Hispanic heart. My husband is Hispanic and has taught me about 80% of what I know. I'm fluent and it comes in really handy where I work.

anonymurse · Apr 27, 2007

Hey, if we didn't have the translator phones, I'd give it my best shot. But we do, so NO WAY. Suppose I dig my little medical Spanish book out of my pocket and screw up? Or suppose I don't screw up but the speakers do? Am I gonna remember how the communication went down in detail years from now? Heck no. And with Spanish so idiomatic, and speakers from all over the world? For me it would be a hobby, and I don't take my hobbies to work, and especially I don't try them out on patients. I won't have that on my conscience. The hospital provides expert medical translator phones. That's the state of the communications art. My patients don't deserve less.

rnin02 · Apr 27, 2007

We were just told this week that the translator phone thing is $2.50/min and they charge in increments of 10min. Meaning, if you are on the phone for 11 mins, it will cost $50. So, really expensive! They basically told us to use it for emergencies only, and try to wait till the morning when a translator can come in.