would an ASL interpreters license be helpful?

[owlnerd]

Hi I am a pre-nursing student and was also interested in getting my ASL interpreters license. I was wandering if this would make me more valuable for a future employer? Im mostly concerned with doing all the schooling for both nursing and interpreting then not getting to use my knowledge. Thanks for any advice

[verene, MSN]

Potentially. I know my local hospital will pay a bonus to employees who meet criteria to be certified for medical interpretation even if their official job is something else. They do have to recert periodically to keep the extra pay.

[SouthpawRN]

Becoming a skilled ASL interpreter takes a lot of commitment, training and practice. The certification exam is VERY difficult. Someone who took a few years of ASL is NOT qualified to be a medical interpreter with very rare exceptions. The hospital I work at does not even offer bilingual pay! I do not think you would ever recoup what you spend in time, money or effort by having a degree in ASL. Leave interpreting to the pros. I have seen so many awful interpreters in my life I lost count. Many work in the educational settings. Medical interpreting is very challenging, probably only eclipsed by legal interpreting. learning a second spoken language is probably a lot easier if you are looking to be bilingual.

A timely article about ASL interpretation

Why Great Sign Language Interpreters Are So Animated - The Atlantic

The other thing that happens is that when someone who claims to know ASL works for an organization, the organization thinks they can cut corners and cancel the professional interpreter and use an employee instead. then you end up with this:

Don't be this guy.

Turns out this guy is a lifeguard and works for county. they cancelled the professional interpreter and replaced him with this person. The outcry from the Deaf community soon had him replaced with paid, certified, professional interpreters.

Be this guy:

Sign language interpreter steals show at Irma conference | Daily Mail Online

Now I have burst your bubble, If you are still interested in learning ASL, I would be happy to share what I know and guide you in the right direction.

Hugs

Southpaw

[SouthpawRN]

For something a bit more lighthearted, I still get a laugh out of the SNL skit spoofing the fake interpreter at Mandela's memorial where Obama spoke

Original

SNL skit

SNL (Intro) with S.A. fake interpreter 12/14/13 - YouTube

[owlnerd]

I do appreciate the honesty. I wanted to know the reality of doing both. I love ASL its so facinating to me but i also love nurseing. I guess i just need to see which one i want to do for a living.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

As a PP said, becoming a certified ASL interpreter is tough. Lots of schooling, and I've known CODA's (Child of Deaf Adult) who couldn't even pass the exam.