Does it Help to Know More than One Language?

[anonymoose123]

Hello everyone, I am some what knew to this board. I have learned that finding a job as an RN can sometimes be tough and competitive, especially if you don't have OTJ experience. Over the last year or so I have been working on teaching myself Spanish and American Sign Language. I was wondering if any other nurses have done the same, and if so has it increased their likelihood to get a job quickly. I am really interested in learning both, and would do it regardless or not it would get me a job, I was just curious on hearing from anyone with experience on the matter. Thanks in advance!

[talrico]

Learning a second language is an asset in any job market, particularly Spanish, but it will give you a good deal more consideration in certain locales. In New York City, for example, you can take a fluency test, and provided you do well on it, you can pretty well take your pick of positions.

I'm in the process of doing the same, though I've never been very good at learning languages so it's taking me some time.

[RxOnly]

Keep learning both! I see more and more postings that say "bilingual/spanish preferred" ...I took Spanish for 3 years in high school and have been trying to learn more. Even if it doesn't help you LAND a job (which likely it will) it will be an asset when you're working. You'll be able to communicate effectively and not have to run around for the translator only to find out that your patient just needed a glass of water :)

[Merlyn]

Yes, big difference but I don't think that you came learn any language by yourself. I had Spanish in high school and the teacher kept saying, "When you go to Madrid you will be able to speak the Spanish."

That's nice I thought, but teach me how can I talk to Juan down the street? Juan taught me Spanish. A language also teaches you how different people see the world. I learned some Lakota when I lived in SD. The Lakota phrase for 'How old are you really means 'How many winters have you survived ?' The weather being as it is on the planes in the winter. So keep on.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

cannot really answer the question but I do know that any ER in the country would love to have interpreters. You would need to be proficient enough to meet the standard of "INFORMED consent" so the patient can ask questions,etc.

I live in Texas, close (Texas-speak) to Oklahoma. Had a patient recently who spoke only Choctaw. Our language line thru ATT did not service native american languages. Latvian, Greek----. Not Choctaw

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

I speak 4 languages, English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, it helps me... But it often get me extra work, and I have to be very careful, I will act as a translator to other nurses patients but for the benefit of my license, I will use another official translator for all my consents!

I am called into work often, when it is tourist season in Disney world... Today I did not have 1 English speaking patient out of 5!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Goodness, yes. Both in AZ and CO where I've worked, knowing Spanish gives you much more of an advantage.

[JDZ344]

I think whatever job field you are in, an extra language comes in very useful.