A foreigner looking forward to doing a CNA class and more!

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Hi, I'm a newbie here. I have been wondering about my language barrier since I'm a foreigner who has been living in the USA for 3 months only. I have always been interested in medication and health care although I had never had a chance to study. Heard of the CNA which made me get too enthusiastic to do it I even started studying by myself at home. I really want to do it so bad! I'm planning to register for the next class which will be by the end of the next month. My question as a foreigner who has in someway a language barrier since I'm not a native of the USA, will my communication skills be a big deal for me to do the CNA? As I have learned through my own study about the CNA that communication between a nurse aide and a resident is importance for relieving anxiety such as explaining procedures. Any advice regarding my situation will be appreciated. Thank you

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I understood everything you wrote- you must have been studying English for some time before coming here!

I am embarrassed to say I know only a phrase or two in Spanish and Greek, as well as knowing some rudimentary sign language.

Kudos to you!

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To an extent, but I think you will pick it up just fine! And even working in the medical field, a lot of the medical terms are "foreign" to people who speak English already. If you don't know something, don't be afraid to ask for help or clarification :)

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Maryjane thank you for your reply. Yeah I studied English in 2010 been never walked out on my language skills always reading and refreshing information. I feel my brain is always requiring and I always feel the urge to read or learn something new especially when it comes to health and humane body mainly interested in brains functionality! I'm super duper excited to study and start helping someone and making them happy!

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Miss thanks for encouraging me. I wanted to get something positive regarding my language barrier. When it comes to medical terms I'm very quick with saving'm by heart. I have already saved some and read about many medical cases whether it's in the domain I'm going to be in OR not just expanding my knowledge further more than needed. By the way I don't have any high school diploma, the country where I can from I only made it to 9 grade I don't know if that is going to be a barrier for me to start working after obtaining the registry as a CNA? I won't stop dreaming though I'm going to do whatever takes to reach at least the lowest in the mdecial field

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Specializes in Long term care.
. By the way I don't have any high school diploma, the country where I can from I only made it to 9 grade I don't know if that is going to be a barrier for me to start working after obtaining the registry as a CNA? I won't stop dreaming though I'm going to do whatever takes to reach at least the lowest in the mdecial field

Not having a high school diploma may be an problem in finding a job once you get your certification. I'm surprised they allowed you to register for the CNA classes without graduating high school. Look into getting your general education diploma(G.E.D). Most high schools will offer it or adult education classes. They will likely help you with your English.

Depending on where you are, you made even be able to find English as a second language classes (ESL) for free.

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I havent enrolled at any CNA classes yet! I plan to start my CNA class on the 19th of March. Plus requirements for the CNA do not include high school diploma! Otherwise, I would have not thought about it! Plus I have sought some job sites and offers for CNA and most of them ask for the certification only! They dont ask for high school diploma! In additional, I can speak the language fluently enough to communicate but I would want to improve it to become as any native citizine here just for getting no embarrassment at my job place. Are you sure a high school diploma validates working as a CNA more than the certificate obtained?!!! Uhmmm.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I havent enrolled at any CNA classes yet! I plan to start my CNA class on the 19th of March. Plus requirements for the CNA do not include high school diploma! Otherwise, I would have not thought about it! Plus I have sought some job sites and offers for CNA and most of them ask for the certification only! They dont ask for high school diploma! In additional, I can speak the language fluently enough to communicate but I would want to improve it to become as any native citizine here just for getting no embarrassment at my job place. Are you sure a high school diploma validates working as a CNA more than the certificate obtained?!!! Uhmmm.

I did not require any diplomas or any form of education in the CNA school I went to, however some schools require a high school diploma/GED, associates degree.

I don't think your language barrier will be a big deal. I understand everything you wrote. Speaking another language is actually a great asset especially since you will be involved in direct patient care. You can actually build rapport/trust with a patient that speaks your language which is always a great thing. Also, you will improve your language skills as you speak to more people on the job so don't even worry about it.

I would recommend that you go further into nursing if that's what you care about. CNAs don't get paid a lot. They do get paid more in psych (in some places $18/hour) and they prefer to hire men anyway so you should look into that area.

I would recommend finding a community college to take classes to become eligible to get into the nursing program.

Good luck!!

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I did not require any diplomas or any form of education in the CNA school I went to, however some schools require a high school diploma/GED, associates degree.

I don't think your language barrier will be a big deal. I understand everything you wrote. Speaking another language is actually a great asset especially since you will be involved in direct patient care. You can actually build rapport/trust with a patient that speaks your language which is always a great thing. Also, you will improve your language skills as you speak to more people on the job so don't even worry about it.

I would recommend that you go further into nursing if that's what you care about. CNAs don't get paid a lot. They do get paid more in psych (in some places $18/hour) and they prefer to hire men anyway so you should look into that area.

I would recommend finding a community college to take classes to become eligible to get into the nursing program.

Good luck!!

Thank you Neo for your encouragement! As you can see I can almost explain everything including medical procedures! But I'm not 100% prefect when it comes to listening but I'm working on that I plan to go further into nursing but I expect the high school diploma will be an obstacle for me but I will be working on certificates that don't include high school diploma/GED cause I'm trying to shorten the period of studying at the same time targeting at a better position. I don't know what psych is exactly if you can explain would be appreciated. Thx.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Thank you Neo for your encouragement! As you can see I can almost explain everything including medical procedures! But I'm not 100% prefect when it comes to listening but I'm working on that I plan to go further into nursing but I expect the high school diploma will be an obstacle for me but I will be working on certificates that don't include high school diploma/GED cause I'm trying to shorten the period of studying at the same time targeting at a better position. I don't know what psych is exactly if you can explain would be appreciated. Thx.

Instead of getting a high school diploma, I suggest going to a community college. It will save you time and once you get an associated degree, it won't matter if you have a high school diploma.

Psych means psychiatry. You take care of mentally ill people. It's mentally draining I must admit because I'm in the field but it's less draining than med surg which is both mentally and physically exhausting.

Men are always in demand for psych and it pays more.

I will be open to answering any more questions you have.

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Instead of getting a high school diploma, I suggest going to a community college. It will save you time and once you get an associated degree, it won't matter if you have a high school diploma.

Psych means psychiatry. You take care of mentally ill people. It's mentally draining I must admit because I'm in the field but it's less draining than med surg which is both mentally and physically exhausting.

Men are always in demand for psych and it pays more.

I will be open to answering any more questions you have.

Thank you Neo again. Yeah it was a good bit of advice to go to a community college and I will work on that after the CNA course if possible. I just want to continue education just love it dude. Well I don't know if psychiatry settings require special training as a CNA? I will find out about that. Thank you again

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Once you get your CNA, you can just apply to work in psych. You don't need anything extra special. At my job, I took a self defense class and they paid me for it. It was like an 8 hour class and they paid me $18 per hour. I don't know how it works in other places. Truthfully, as a CNA, you learn on the job and all people care about is that you got the training.

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