Filipino Nurses

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2002

Nurse Williams -

I'll bet your father *can* understand a lot of what your stepmum says. Especially if she gets mad often enough that he's getting a lot of exposure to it (smile).

It's much easier to understand than to speak a language. I am often able to follow discussions in which I would be totally unable to participate!

Love

Dennie

Teshiee · Mar 11, 2002

I was told that the term Oriental referred to objects not people. Asian referred to people.

live4today, RN · Mar 12, 2002

Think you are right, Nurse Dennie! My father does seem to relate well with "Mother Margie". I love to hear her speak English though. She cracks me up! She's the best stepmother I've had so far, and hopefully she'll be the last. She's my father's "third" wife. :rolleyes:

Teshiee, my Japanese cousin-in-law told me that it is okay to use the word Oriental when speaking in terms of where they are from...being from The Orient. She says that she often hears her Japanese relatives talk about themselves by using the word Oriental. Asian is good to use in modern times, but she didn't recall herself or any of her relatives to be offended by the use of the word Oriental. I'd much rather call ethnic groups by their culture, so if a person is from Japan, I will refer to them as Japanese; if they are from China -- Chinese; if they are from Korea -- Korean; and so forth. We are from America, therefore we are called American. This is just a more personalized way of addressing each culture so no one feels offended.

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Mar 12, 2002

Originally posted by Dplear
As I have told before in this BB I am married to a Filipina. I even have my mother-in-law living in my home. My wife and her mom talk all the time in Taglog in front of me and I do not understand what they are saying for the most part and it DOES NOT BOTHER ME...so why should a bunch of filipinas talking in the breakroom or even at the nurses station in tagolog bother you? If you were in the military in Germany and you were working in the hospital on base there with Germans...and you spoke english and they got mad at you for not speaking German in front of them you would think they were crazy wouldn't you? Well it is the same thing in this situation. Just be happy that you have nurses working with you.....

Dave

...That's exactly the point. Americans, for the most part, want foreign people to speak the English language at all times. Many of us don't even bother to learn a secondary language in school - how arrogant of us!!! :rolleyes:

I took up two years of high school & two years of college level Spanish because as a child, I always thought it was neat that the hispanic community had another language of their own. I never felt uncomfortable when they spoke in spanish around me. I took it upon myself to take Spanish enough to understand most conversations & I try to keep-up on the Latina soaps. Unfortunately, like so many others, I didnt keep up on it & I'm rather rusty now in speaking Spanish because I wasn't put into a position where I had to really stay on top of it; like moving to Spain. I could get by, I guess, if I was forced to, but I would probably seek-out another English speaking co-worker & slip into "American" if I get stuck on translation of a certain word. I would hope that those people wouldn't be irritated with me...:stone

I work around several Philipino people & I never had any problems with them as far as giving me & my fellow American co-workers respect. I have two whom are my direct supervisors & both have been very fair to the staff. There's times where I can't help myself & will start talking like them - no offense - I just can't help it....& they laugh with me:roll I've been invited into one of my Philipino co-worker's home & it wasn't too different from my own.

But I guess I'm straying from the point, that being...everyone has a right to speak in their own language as much as possible. The African-American people had their native language beaten out of them & they weren't allow to pass down their rich culture as a result of slavery. Every other culture still have their's intact...if so desired; i.e. Native Americans (whatever the nation), East Indians, Africans, Mexicans, Europeans (whatever country), etc.

I saw on another thread where someone was complaining about President Bush's proposal of educating or bring-in a lot of RNs from Mexico. I don't remember people complaining about the Scandinavian RNs coming here because they're they look the most like us & therefore, are "desired".:imbar Yes there's a lot of issues that needs to be addressed here; issues like Mandatory Over Time & Nursing Shortages. But if having foreign nurses come here to at least releave some of the shortages, we must be able to tolerate them speaking in their native tongue. :kissblush

sharann, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2002

The main reason that staff are not allowed to speak in their "home" languages are for respect for our patients, so they don't misconstrue what is being said, and don't feel they are being talked ABOUT. I have no prob whatsoever with people speaking in any language they wish to, as long as they don't constantly exclude others from the conversation. How can I learn about a persons culture, when they are speaking in a language foreign to ME? I am also thrilled to have any qualified nurse come here to help ease our shortage but have always wondered, who eases THEIR shortages, or do they (any country) have an excess of nurses?

Teshiee · Mar 17, 2002

I have to agree it is quite irritating so instead of getting annoyed I am going to learn Tagalog! Now that would blow their mind ahahahaha! I guess it is natural to find someone from your native country and not speak the tongue. I guess because they literally dominate nursing you see many of them. I welcome them I really don't care I can get along with anyone if they give me my respect and vice versa.

mattsmom81 · Mar 17, 2002

So true, Teshiee! I can work with just about anybody too if mutual respect prevails!

On someone else's point, I believe the major complaint involving Bush's plan to import nurses from Mexico is that it's just ' business as usual' all over again here in the US---with little being done to address the root problems of the nurse shortage....

icyjam · Mar 18, 2002

Thanks to all of you who said beautiful things about Filipino nurses. I'm also a Filipina nurse. But I have to admit speaking Tagalog in front of you guys is definitely rude. Though, I can't speak in their behalf in doing so.

Latest survey shows that the PHILS produced approximately more than 10,000 nurses a year. Surely,you will see a lot of us. 'Bout the question who is filling the shortage here, the answer is none! I know a couple of nurses working 24hrs in a single staffing floor! But this is another topic.

About the differences in culture, I don't think Filipinos will have a difficult time adapting/adjusting to Western culture. It's a fact that the PHILS was colonized by the Americans for so many years. Even brought the first teachers in our country. Partly also, that the US is the closest alliance. Proof is the ongoing BALIKATAN 02.Where US troops will train PHIL army, & on the other hand Filipino soldiers will train them on jungle survival/combat.

Language is not a problem. Also a fact that the PHILS is the 3rd largest English speaking country in the world.

In being called Oriental, I'm not offended. Being always appreciated by my Oriental looks, don't have a reason to.

Yes it is also true that here nursing schools only offered BSN. That's why we don't have LPN/LVN's.

AND WE ALL LOVE HOLLYWOOD MOVIES!!!!

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2002

Howdy yall

From deep in the heart of texas

Havent we had this discussion in the past in other areas of the board. I dont see anything new here. Just remeber that importing foriegn nurses may help nursing in the short run. But untill they rectify the wrongs of the situation, things will continue to be the same. I have nothing against nurses from other parts of the world, but when administration uses them to keep things the way they are rather than make changes that need to be made. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

keep it the short grass yall

teeituptom

DARLENEDOT · Apr 6, 2002

Hi I am originally from Chicago Also but was transferred to Texas 14 years ago...

I work in a dept. where 8 of 11 are Filipino nurses. 2 are spanish and 1 anglo.

Well it is really really rough....They do not speak english when they are in front of you with the other Filipinos and it is in my opinion the rudest thing they could do...they come here and take all our benefits and sign on bonuses so the regular staff doesn't get the raises we used to and top of that are rude ...in our department and in our hospital we were once told to speak english as some patients had complained to administration they couldn't understand their nurse and were very upset. The nurse did not comply and as the weeks and months progressed the Filipino population has increased by unbelievable numbers...It has increased to the point where administration sent a memo to the dept heads telling managers that we are normally not allowed to take vacations from fall thru spring because of our winter texas patient pop. increase and was further stated except for the filipino nurses who haven't gone home for two years to see their family....Well these nurses may not have gone home but they took every vacation possible including to Switzerland Italy France etc....and I have been there for 14 years and have not gone home to Chicago for 4 years except for 3 days to bury my mother I want to write the newspaper after I leave here and tell about the reverse prejudicism I have seen firsthand..

but unfortunately I am still stuck here and need my job....

I have worked with all nationalities back in Chgo with NO PROBLEMS everyone attempted to communicate with each other and the patients this is ridiculous...we need to stop importing these foreigners who get the free medical for their children and the better salaries and bonuses and start investing in the AMERICAN BORN POPULATION sorry but this is a very sore topic any replies????

mattsmom81 · Apr 7, 2002

Darlenedot, I am here in Texas too and I have seen some truth to some of what you have posted.....groups of Philipino nurses are being recruited and are given privileges in some cases that American nurses are not...for instance, I have worked with groups of them that are all given the same schedule and do not have to vary from it, so they can drive together. If one calls in sick, they all do...and nothing is done. Group vacations...yes I have seen this too as they all want to go 'home' together. Most are very nice individually but a different dynamic seems to develop with some when their numbers are high....perhaps this is human nature when one group inhabits another culture.

I have noted groups of them to be very cliquish--literally dominating a unit and exhibit mobbing behavior. Perhaps it is a phenom in our anti-union, nurse short state; I also have my suspicion that the facilities are getting them for less $, or writing them off in some way. I don't know for sure. I am afraid of Bush's plan to import Mexican nurses; I see similar problems, and even more importantly, I see importing as only a bandaid solution.

Sure wish our long term solutions would be SOMEBODY'S priority...making working conditions tolerable for American nurses.

leeriza · Apr 7, 2002

I do have a Filipino background too. I agree about talking in our language is rude but sometimes, because we are far from home, we kind'a feel at home when we started talking in our own language. Another reason is, it's also kind'a rude to my co-Filipinos not to talk in our own language when they're around. My only advice to every Filipino out there is not to talk too loud and speak the language when a person from another culture is around. Just think what would you feel if you are around with people who talks "alien language" infront of you and you don't have the slightest idea of what they were talking about - I guess you'll get paranoid too.