can a non-native speaker do well in nursing school?

[jabita]

I am a pre-nursing student, actually I am taking my prerequisites classes at a community college. Meanwhile, I am working as a part time French teacher in a private school. I have to confess that being a mom of a 13 months baby, working and being a wife is not easy when you are at school. In addition, English is my 4th language. I have a strong desire to become a nurse, and I am studying so hard for it. I am aiming to get only As:) I compare myself a lot to native speakers, and I am very jealous when it come to studies:). There are sometimes when I feel like I will not be able to do it because of my English level, and other times I feel a huge motivation inside me. I do understand my classes, but I am still worried about the communication. Do you think that it is going to be ok to study in nursing with an English level lower than native speakers?

Thanks

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You'll be fine. Your written English is better than a lot of us native speakers - LOL. I suggest you re-frame this challenge.... and consider that "Nursing" will be your 5th language.

[BHRN85]

I agree with HoutTx, based on the way your post is written I think your English is pretty good and you will be fine. If you have a thick accent it could get in the way of talking to patients but that should not stop you and that is something that you can work on.

[beekee]

Your written English is fantastic. Medical terminology is a foreign language to many native speakers. If a medical terminology is not required, I'd recommend taking a class.

[jabita]

" and consider that "Nursing" will be your 5th language"

LoL, then I don't have to worry ' I am used to learning languages:)

[mama12]

I became close to a girl who is ESL (it may actually be her 3rd language) and she had a very difficult time with our testing. We would study together and she would have the material down better than me. Then we would go in to test and I would score much higher than her. She is a very intelligent person, but the wording of nursing tests can be difficult for people who don't have an excellent comprehension of the English language.

It makes something that is fairly difficult on its own (nursing school) that much more difficult.

Read questions slowly to make sure you really understand what is being asked. Your school also may offer additional resources to help level the playing field, so definitely ask. :) Best of luck!

[Eschell2971, BSN]

From what you've written, your English seems fine. Even native or English only speakers make mistakes in their speaking & writing. From my experience (and there are some research studies to support this), many foreign students or children of immigrant parents/grandparents, tend to do much better in their academic career than do native born Americans, in many cases. There are many reasons for this, but, one thing is certain for any successful academic endeavor: STUDYING!

Any good student will study, and that includes not only reading, writing, and memorizing, but, practicing and applying the material. Also, making sure you ask questions, take notes, and meet with your instructor and/or other classmates (study groups) from time to time.

TIME MANAGEMENT is also key. Each of us has only 24 hours in a day, and on average, 8 hours are for sleeping, so, we only have 16 hours to be physically & mentally productive. Learn to say no to unnecessary things and focus on what's really important, especially while you're in nursing school: Family, School work, your employment (if applicable), Self-care!

Good luck & go for it!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Wow! Four languages? I am impressed and a little jealous as I can barely manage one. Your written English skills are excellent, so I see no reason that English not being your native language should hold you back.

Please don't focus so much on getting only "A" grades though, that is way too much stress to put on yourself. Good luck with your studies!

[GIEndoRN, BSN, RN]

My class had four ESL students, including myself. We all made it through nursing school and NCLEX. So you can absolutely do it!! The hardest part was writing papers, sentence structure can be problematic for me and I don't spot my errors by proof reading. I visited the writing tutors often and in the end, received high grades for my papers. I am currently pursuing a master's in nursing education. Don't let anything hold you back from what you wish to accomplish!

[RedBC]

You'll be fine. Your written English is better than a lot of us native speakers - LOL. I suggest you re-frame this challenge.... and consider that "Nursing" will be your 5th language.

I find your comment hilarious. English is my 4th language, and science class is my 5th language. If I get accepted into the nursing program, it will be my sixth language. As I'm getting older, I'm getting impatient in learning parts of speech.

[ami.625]

I know this post was made a long time ago, but I thought I should still comment my opinion. My mom is an RN and English was her second language. When she came to America she started from the bottom and took ESL classes while raising 5 kids. She still believes to this day she isn't fluent in English although I can perfectly understand what she says. It wasn't easy, but she had the drive and determination and made it through nursing school and passed the nclex on her first try! I'd like to say if she can do it, so can you!

[ana_96]

There's a girl in my cohort whose 3rd language is English. She does have a very strong accent when she speaks and sometimes its really hard to understand her. She also writes how she speaks, so she does have poor English grammar, BUT this girl tries so hard. She always has the material down and scores well on tests. I think you'll do just fine :)

[Nursepandada]

English is not my forst language either. I have the same feeling when things get dark, but I always pull myself back. Good luck! I am cheering you up.