Being bilingual is a plus, should NOT be a mandatory factor.

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Specializes in 4.

A little frustrated with the job market today, as it is a requirement to either be bilingual and/or heavily experienced. BTW, I am bilingual I am half hispanic & am bilingual in Spanish. I do agree that being bilingual does help in some instances but it should NOT be a requirement. The US is a melting pot of cultures but english is the spoken language. If I moved to France or Italy, I am sure I would not get a job based off my english skills alone. As for experience, you aren't going to get any till a door is opened for you. I am just frustrated that many good nurses, aren't getting the opportunity they may deserve cause of discrimination. :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love you for saying this!!!... yes it is very beneficial to be bilingual but it is horrible that jobs (and not just nursing) REQUIRE it.

I am not bilingual... if I had my way I would be fluent in italian but my grandmother came to this country from italy and realized this is america...and we need to speak the language... She wouldn't let her children speak italian in the house...they were americans now

I am currently trying to learn spanish.. not only for my patients but my boyfriend is part hispanic and I feel it would be considerate to learn it.

The way I see it... if you are going to live in a new country... speak the primary language... its a requirement for citizenship!

I've actually had pt's get mad at me for not speaking spanish....

in a way... require someone to be bilingual is considered discrimination.... at least in my eyes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

Nope ... you can't have it both ways: insisting that everyone who doesn't have English as a first language be bilingual but it's discrimination to require bilingualism for certain jobs. Sorry, can't agree with that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

All I'm saying is if you are going to come live in this country.... learn the language. I wouldn't go and live in a country where I didn't speak the primary language....

I actually find it a bit insulting when people don't even try to learn the language

bash me all you want...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

Who's bashing??? I disagree with your opinion ... that is not the same as bashing.

All I'm saying is that if you are going to work in a setting where most consumers speak something other than fluent English, then you should learn the language that is spoken.

Goose/gander, dontcha know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Worded it wrong......I ment I'm prepared for people to start bashing me about it

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
I am not bilingual... if I had my way I would be fluent in italian but my grandmother came to this country from italy and realized this is america...and we need to speak the language... She wouldn't let her children speak italian in the house...they were americans now

My maternal great-grandparents came here from Germany. I remember my grandmother telling me that speaking German was forbidden in their home. My great-grandparents were very proud when they became citizens. :coollook:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 4.
All I'm saying is if you are going to come live in this country.... learn the language. I wouldn't go and live in a country where I didn't speak the primary language....

I actually find it a bit insulting when people don't even try to learn the language

bash me all you want...

I agree 100% with you. I learned Spanish in high school & from friends, not from the home. My mother is not spanish, so it was not what I grew up with. This country is based off immigration but the immigrants viewed this country differently. So my grandparents did not teach my mother Sicllian or Russian (Yiddish) due to the desire for assimilation. My biological Spanish father had nothing to do with raising me, so my Spanish skills are because of ME & my desire to learn my other culture. Not cause I wanted to be a nurse. At that time, it wasn't a requirement. That is my point and I too believe it is reverse discrimination.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That is my point and I too believe it is reverse discrimination.

I don't believe in "reverse discrimination" discrimination is discrimination. that's it... it can go any which way....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 4.
Who's bashing??? I disagree with your opinion ... that is not the same as bashing.

All I'm saying is that if you are going to work in a setting where most consumers speak something other than fluent English, then you should learn the language that is spoken.

Goose/gander, dontcha know.

If I was a nurse in Los Angeles, I'd have to be bilingual then in about 5 or more languages. This isn't what is happening. Sure it is possible that someone does speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Hindu, Farsi, Cantonese & Mandarin but it is most likely rare.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment