I hate that everyone knows I speak Spanish !

Wuzzie · Apr 13, 2017

At my facility it is completely verboten to use a non-certified person/staff member as a medical translator. Although I'm not entirely sure it might actually be a law in my state. Either way it is a fire-able offense as it is considered not in the patient's best interest and could be construed as an abuse of power as a staff member is not a "neutral" party.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Apr 13, 2017

Had I been bilingual, I would have used those talents to become one of the admissions/discharge nurses, and left the bedside duties to those who'd no longer have a choice but to use the translator phone. I'm just saying...

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 13, 2017

I am bilingual (well nearly trilingual) and speak Spanish fairly fluently. I don't mind minor translation but issues of consent, or other such serious items are handled by the Language Line, no ifs ands or buts.

NanaPoo · Apr 13, 2017

I learned quickly not to let people know I spoke Spanish because nurses were constantly asking me to interpret for them to save time waiting for the hospital translation services to arrive to the floor. BUT, when the nurse manager became aware she made it very clear that legally they weren't allowed to use any interpreter except the hospital's official interpreters. I was relieved and, after that, didn't make it publicly known that I spoke Spanish.

Sour Lemon · Apr 13, 2017

Make sure you're asking for favors in return!! "Sure, I'll go talk to your patient ...but could you start tying to get a working IV in room 302? I'm falling a little behind."

heron, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2017

Not only should bilingual workers be paid a differential, but facilities should pay for certification. I work in ltc and my bilingual coworkers are my rock in dealing with residents who are getting sick or acting out and my pitiful few words of Spanish don't cut the mustard.

chare · Apr 13, 2017

Not only should bilingual workers be paid a differential, but facilities should pay for certification...

This. As well as having an adjusted assignment to account for what could be an incredibly time cosuming responsibility.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2017

Check your policy -- like Wuzzie said, at my hospital they are very clear: even if we are conversationally fluent, unless we have been vetted and are certified as a medical translator, we cannot translate. It's considered an equal access issue.

quazar · Apr 13, 2017

Check your policy -- like Wuzzie said, at my hospital they are very clear: even if we are conversationally fluent, unless we have been vetted and are certified as a medical translator, we cannot translate. It's considered an equal access issue.

Yep yep yep. It's a legal/safety thing. I have worked with enough spanish speaking patients for so long that I have picked up plenty. I get by pretty well on my own, but still use an interpreter for the big stuff like consent, or if I flat out don't know how to say something. At any rate, you are not the unit translator. They may not prefer to use the hospital's translation services, but too bad so sad. Unless you are a paid/vetted/official translator for the hospital, nope.

Green Tea, RN · Apr 13, 2017

My institution clearly prohibits a nurse to serve as an interpreter unless s/he is certified.

I'm bilingual (English is my second language), but I'm not comfortable to interpret at work especially for informed consents. I studied Nursing in English only, so I am not 100% certain if I can speak medical terms in my native language accurately.

DeeAngel · Apr 14, 2017

Request that your facility provide you with a written policy on using floor nurses as medical translators, a request which takes them away from their assigned patients. You know, for your clarification of your role as a nurse. That request alone might nip it in the bud. In the meantime clarify this issue and your state BON's position on the issue, you may potentially be doing something forbidden by the BON.