Published Jun 17, 2011
Thirdwatch
157 Posts
My unit just hired three new nurses fresh from the philipines. Everytime I try to tell them something important about a patient they don't comprehend what I, or the patient is saying. I also don't understand what they're telling the patient...and both of us (the patient and I) are cluless.
Our hospital is a BIG mission in cutting cost. Are they bringing them to pay less???
Daisy_08, BSN, RN
597 Posts
eeek! where are you located???
that it sad and unsafe. there are so many new grads trying to find jobs who can't, even seasoned nurses are having a hard time.
i don’t have anything against hiring an immigrant but they should be hired because they are the best candidate not the cheapest.
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
If these nurses have that much of a language barrier, something critical will be missed.
They sound unable to communicate safely.
How much will THAT save the facility when a lawsuit develops?
Good luck. Be careful what you say about it.
Management will probably require you to study the Philipino language!
KimICURN
31 Posts
Imagine being sick, having a hard time digesting what is going on a round you and someone is speaking to you in broken English. It is frustrating for the patient and other members of the health care team. When a patient had complained about a nurse on our unit another nurse said to me, well I understand so and so fine, well of course you do you work with her everyday!
And yes unfortunately you have to be careful what you say. Especially if management is from another coutry.
love-d-OR
542 Posts
Interesting... Never had a problem understanding Filipino accents. Wonder how they communicated during their interviews?
They were hired by a Filipino manager.
LR59
39 Posts
My Mom was in a LTC in Maryland the filipino "nurses" couldnt communicate with residents or family Finally nurse manager said to bypass them to call her with issues???? Yes they do pay them less
DemonWings
266 Posts
I agree that is unsafe, a nurse I was working with during my clinical was from the fillipines and she said their nursing school was all english based, I wonder if most are not?
Dzidzan, BSN, RN
62 Posts
this is really sad thinking about the possible 'damages' the miscommunication would result to.
i am a filipino by the way but i will not be confident enough to go to an English speaking country if i know i lack the skills. after all, in nursing, effective communication is very crucial.
I asked her nurse for a syringe to give her morphine by mouth she was a hospice pt and dying had lost all iv access she did not understand my request for a syringe to administer morphine po I think she thought I meant by injection it was so frustrating!! I was there when she passed they were going to attempt resucitation though she was clearly a DNR we the family had to stand in their way while calling hospice, the DON and finally the police
I have no problem with anyone earning a living but I would not go to the Phillipines without speaking the language
bearscrubs75
48 Posts
WHITE-COLLAR IMMIGRATION (sorry, this is going to sound very bitter): The always cost-effective United States is currently bringing in immigrants from around the world (e.g., Russia, India, China, Filipines) to compete with Americans for high-salary jobs with the expectation that this form of immigration can drive down salaries and benefits. For example, your three Filipino nurses would probably work for even half your salary and with hardly any benefits -- JUST to escape the poverty of living in the Filipines and enjoy the luxuries assoc. with living in the U.S. Then they remain here and rear large, resource-using families -- the children of these families end up competing with YOUR children for financial aid and quality education and, later, access to good jobs and healthcare. :dncgbby:
This kind of immigration allows the hospital/organization/corporation to keep the real money at the top, basically in the CEO's pocket, so he can send his children (probably named Ethan and Abigail) to ivy league colleges, buy his fat stay-at-home wife a brand new luxury car, and get that McMansion in the white, rich, gated community of his dreams. Meanwhile you and your patients get the proverbial shaft end of the stick -- nothing against Filipinos in general, they're good people (but, really??):
HOW MANY AMERICAN NURSING COLLEGE GRADUATES CAN'T FIND JOBS IN THIS ECONOMY RIGHT NOW??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
I really hate this ******* country. My partner and I are moving north of the border as soon I graduate from nursing school. Canada has one of the STRICTEST immigration policies on this planet and some of the strongest labor unions on earth. For example, I will ONLY be employed by a Canadian hospital once every natural-born Canadian citizen has access to employment first. No cost-cutting, no bringing in busloads of fertile immigrants to drive down salaries and create ultracompetitive applicant pools. Man, we are in a lot of trouble.
SweetheartRN
159 Posts
WHITE-COLLAR IMMIGRATION (sorry, this is going to sound very bitter): The always cost-effective United States is currently bringing in immigrants from around the world (e.g., Russia, India, China, Filipines) to compete with Americans for high-salary jobs with the expectation that this form of immigration can drive down salaries and benefits. For example, your three Filipino nurses would probably work for even half your salary and with hardly any benefits -- JUST to escape the poverty of living in the Filipines and enjoy the luxuries assoc. with living in the U.S. Then they remain here and rear large, resource-using families -- the children of these families end up competing with YOUR children for financial aid and quality education and, later, access to good jobs and healthcare. :dncgbby:This kind of immigration allows the hospital/organization/corporation to keep the real money at the top, basically in the CEO's pocket, so he can send his children (probably named Ethan and Abigail) to ivy league colleges, buy his fat stay-at-home wife a brand new luxury car, and get that McMansion in the white, rich, gated community of his dreams. Meanwhile you and your patients get the proverbial shaft end of the stick -- nothing against Filipinos in general, they're good people (but, really??):HOW MANY AMERICAN NURSING COLLEGE GRADUATES CAN'T FIND JOBS IN THIS ECONOMY RIGHT NOW??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:I really hate this ******* country. My partner and I are moving north of the border as soon I graduate from nursing school. Canada has one of the STRICTEST immigration policies on this planet and some of the strongest labor unions on earth. For example, I will ONLY be employed by a Canadian hospital once every natural-born Canadian citizen has access to employment first. No cost-cutting, no bringing in busloads of fertile immigrants to drive down salaries and create ultracompetitive applicant pools. Man, we are in a lot of trouble.
whoa.