English, please

ktwlpn, LPN · Jul 8, 2005

The rule in my facility clearly states that ENGLISH is to be spoken in any patient care area or any area residents/patients might congregate. We have the hardest time getting our staff to abide by this rule. One of them was on the phone at the nurses' station (infraction #1) speaking loudly in a language that wasn't English (infraction #2). When I told him it was English only, he hollered at me that he was on the phone with his family. I told him to turn around and look at the 4 somewhat confused residents who were sitting near the nurses' station....he seemed not to get the point....anyone else having this sort of trouble????

If you don't document these infarctions each and every time they occur how can you expect managment to take disciplinary action? It does not make you the most popular charge nurse in the facility but you are there to insure the residents get the care they deserve

June55Baby · Jul 8, 2005

Ever thought about what it's like for immigrants on a daily basis? I'm sure having to deal with the inconvenience of wading through Spanish advertising/information pales in comparison to what they deal with on a daily basis.

OOPS ! Didn't mean to step on toes, but I have a question....

Are we forcing them to come here? Nope! Many are here illegally ! ! ! And are taking advantage of the American system. If they come to America to live they want to be Americans, they need to learn the language of America.

My great grandparents came to America in the early 1900's from Eastern Europe... they learned the language. Compassion! ! ! ? ? ? That's what is wrong with us today. We have compassion for everyone but the law abiding tax paying citizens who have to give and compromise and give some more.

They are in America - speak English! ! ! "Nuf said!

kbclary4 · Jul 8, 2005

Yes, we are clearly in AMERICA, where ignorance and prejudice abound. Have you ever tried thinking about what it feels like to come to another country, not speaking the language well, being away from all familiar people and surroundings? Ever thought about what it's like for immigrants on a daily basis? I'm sure having to deal with the inconvenience of wading through Spanish advertising/information pales in comparison to what they deal with on a daily basis. Have some compassion.

Ok, I have to put my two cents in on this one. Yes, I do know what it feels like. I did a study abroad program in Costa Rica a few years ago. I spoke no Spanish when I arrived there. I was told by the program directors as well as my host family that I should take my English-to-Spanish dicitionary with me everywhere I went and use it. They went on to say that this was because I was in Costa Rica, not America, and the official language of that country is Spanish, not English. I was also told that it would be rude and disrespectful of me to expect people to speak English to me just because I am an American. I thought this was a fair point and completely understood, so I took the dictionary with me everywhere and eventually learned the language. It wasn't easy, but the problems I had were always humorous and I found people were willing to help me when I tried to speak Spanish (no matter how poorly). On the few occasions that I tried to get people to speak English to me without attempting some Spanish, I was meet with stony silence and looks of disdain. I felt like the 'ugly American' that is viewed and thinking I am superior because I am American and therefore I should be catered to.

Now please tell me why I should't expect the same respect and good manners in my own country, where the official language is English.

Katnip, RN · Jul 8, 2005

Unfortunately, the U.S. has no official language. The government has raised the issue several times, and it keeps getting shot down by lobbyists.

Congress won't stand up and make English the official language because they're too afraid of losing minority votes.

June55Baby · Jul 8, 2005

Now please tell me why I should't expect the same respect and good manners in my own country, where the official language is English.

I totally agree kbclary4. I have never been abroad, but have been told by others who travel about that "stony silence" and "looks of distain".

Again, imigrants want to live in America, they want to be Americans - they should learn the language.

z's playa · Jul 8, 2005

English is the 'official unofficial language' of the US and Canada in my opinion. :chuckle French and Spanish for each respectively is the second.

Z

andrecle · Jul 8, 2005

We have this problem in acute care as well. Many is the time a group of Filipinos, Indian, or Nigerian nurses would congregate at the desk and speak their native language. It is IMHO very rude to those who cannot understand them. We had policies against it, but it was never enforced.

Not trying to start an argument here, but why does it matter what language a group of people are speaking if you are not a part of the conversation? As long as they are not directly looking at you and their body language doesn't suggest that they are talking about you, there should be no offense taken. I certainly understand how this is rude if done in front of a patient, but if a patient is not around I would not be offended.

Katnip, RN · Jul 8, 2005

True, English is the unofficial official language. But until it's legally made official, we will be required to pay the expenses of having to offer translators and printed information in different languages.

As for people speaking in another language in front of others: if it's rude to do in front of a patient, why is it not rude to do in front of co-workers?

andrecle · Jul 8, 2005

True, English is the unofficial official language. But until it's legally made official, we will be required to pay the expenses of having to offer translators and printed information in different languages.
As for people speaking in another language in front of others: if it's rude to do in front of a patient, why is it not rude to do in front of co-workers?

I would personally view it as a personal conversation. For instance, If I am having a conversation with someone, and I don't want everyone around me to be involved, I have the right to lower my voice. Can others understand what I am saying? Probably not. But it isn't for them to hear anyway. However, patients in a hospital setting are customers of the hospital. Therefore it is rude to be in proximity of a patient and speak in hushed tones or a foreign language.

Brinley · Jul 8, 2005

I admire anyone who can speak two languages.. I myself am struggling to learn spanish as I know it will help with the migrant population in the summer here... that said I think that only English should be spoken in the workplace, unless the patient requires a different language, I think it is rude to talk in another language in front of coworkers and I also think it is rude to whisper- If the conversation needs to be that private take it behind closed doors, or outside of work.

eltrip · Jul 8, 2005

I think it is rude to talk in another language in front of coworkers and I also think it is rude to whisper

Every book of etiquette that I have read also state that these behaviors are rude. Perhaps the societal mores of this country need to be explained in detail to these people...or perhaps they are simply rude people who don't care about others. Who knows?

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 9, 2005

In my home, we speak ENGLISH....the nursing home is the residents' home, and, therefore, the staff must speak the language the residents do...and guess what....it's ENGLISH. If you want to live here, learn to speak the language. Immigrants used to learn English because they wanted to be American...if all of them could do it (including my own grandparents who came from a place with a whole different alphabet) then the ones coming here today can and should.