How to work effectively with others

[tnguy31]

Hi everyone,

I'll keep it short and straight to the point. I work for a post acute rehab facility. 95% of the nurses (RN and LVNs) at the facility is Filipinos. With all due and respects, i think they are great and very good at their jobs. Problem is they speak in there own language even when discussing pt care with each others. I just felt so isolated and felt like i can't blend in at all. Any suggestion or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

That is a tough situation to be in. However, have you tried to say to them, "I am feeling really isolated here--it is tough when I don't speak your language". If it is patient care, that is different. I again would say "I am not sure I understand what you want me to do". Also, if your patients are not Fillipino, then that is a huge issue that needs to be addressed if they are speaking their native language and the patients are lying there having not a clue what they are discussing.

I would try the direct approach first. If that doesn't work, then I wouldn't make it an issue unless the talking is going on in front of the patients, regarding the patients, and the patient has no idea what they are talking about.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

Hmm. Well, I think if they speak English when communicating with you and English speaking patients, then it's fine if they want to speak their native tongue when communicating with each other. There's no law against it as far as I know. If you want to build rapport with them, maybe ask them to teach you some Filipino. Show some curiosity. Learn about their language and customs.