Bilingual Nurse vs. Interpreter

[Futurern310]

Hello, so I will be a future RN hopefully by the end of this year! I am bilingual, speak fluent Spanish and English. However, I was wondering how do you guys feel about a bilingual nurse speaking to a Spanish-speaking only patient in their own language, or using an interpreter even though the nurse understands? I have hear different opinions regarding it, due to the fact that an interpreter is "more qualified" and the patient-nurse relationship is more professional compared the nurse since we have to attach with the patient and interact with them more. I am not sure if what I am asking makes sense or not? what do you guys think? Thank you.

Martha Garcia, SN

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

do you give English tests too? I knew a nurse who referred to otitis media as otitis meatus. Amazing how many people do not speak their own language well.

[brownbook]

If you speak fluent Spanish and the patient does as well, then what is the difference between English speaking patient and nurse?

I love the logic of your answer. But (there is always a but) a nurse may be bilingual, but perhaps not 100%, or even 80% fluent in the second language. They would still need to be certified by the hospital as to some level of fluency in the second language.

At my former job bilingual speakers got some (not much) added to their salary when they became certified.

On a similar thread a nurse posted that a patient can sign some kind of release form saying they are okay with a certified translator not being used. But I assume this is okay just for history and physicals, discharge instructions, basic stuff. I doubt it would be acceptable for consents to surgery or other procedures.