Language Barrier at Work

[abbaking]

I am going to try to put this a polite and delicately as possible. I floated to another unit the other night where there was a large number of Fillipino nurses working that shift. All through-out the night, the Asian nurses were speaking in their native tounge and I felt very uncomfortable. At one point, It seemed as though I was being made fun of dude to the other nurses pointing at me and laughing in a condescending manner. Although our hospital policy states english only at work (except on breaks or meal times), this was obviously not being enforced. I spoke with that units charge nurse, but due to the cultural and communication barriers, my issues where not validated. What can i do if This type of situation happens to me again?

:uhoh21:

[nyapa, RN]

please delete. double post.

[nyapa, RN]

I see nothing wrong with speaking other languages at work. It is the way it is done. For example, the OP indicated a terrible incident happening to her. Someone else also mentioned about ppl speaking in other languages around a patient, which can also be disconcerting.

I come from a town where just about everyone is from overseas. I have Greeks either side of me, my husband is Scottish, a Chinese lady across the road, and Indonesians next to them. The whole town is like this. The majority of our patients are Aboriginal - those that come from the community speak good English, but it is not their primary language and it is quite common for them to speak in Yolngu or Warlpiri or whatever their language is.

Many of our doctors and nurses are from overseas, few come from 'Europenn background. So it is really common to hear the Zimbabwe, Indonesian, Filipino, and Indian ppl speaking to each other. But it is done with respect to other staff members. And of course they have a little laugh now and then. We do too when we educate them to 'strine' (Australian slang).

I just think that what ever language we speak to each other in, it should be with respect for others.