Published Aug 16, 2013
allmightynerd17
2 Posts
I am finishing my bachelors in Japanese this year. I have proficiency in medical Japanese and I am comfortable speaking Japanese.(I can also speak Chinese) I am considering getting a bachelors in nursing after I graduate.
I was wondering if I would be able to use Japanese or Chinese as an RN? I know they have interrupters on call in hospitals. I'm just wondering if it would really help a patient. If not RN is there anything else in the medical field I could be that would help non-English speaking patients?
I know it's kind of a silly question. Thank you so much for your times in advance! :)
Ashes172, BSN, RN
49 Posts
Where do you live? Some areas have a higher need for those languages than others. Either way being bilingual is always a plus
kjrobinetteSN
80 Posts
Do you see yourself traveling in the future? I have a friend who taught in Japan for a few years and it was a great experience. Maybe your future degree in nursing and your language knowledge could take you on a journey!
sjalv
897 Posts
I speak Spanish and while I have not yet started clinicals, I have found it much easier to speak with people who don't know English when I don't have to rely on an interpreter. I assume it will be the same for patients who don't speak English. The thing is, that I haven't met many Japanese/Chinese people in the States who don't speak a good level of English. However, I live in Oklahoma where we don't have such a big Chinese/Japanese population.
Thank you for your comments! I live in Michigan, we have a fairly high Japanese/Chinese speaking population. I have seen a few job posting in the area, so I think I might try!