I speak english as a second language. How hard do you think nursing would be for me?

[ilovemychihuahua]

I was wondering how hard you think the nursing program would be for someone who dont speak English as a second language. I have done many college courses in past years. I was doing very fine. My english got a lot improved since I first got here which was back in 2002. Now, nursing is going to be a lot different that regular college course yes? It requires good communication skills and critical thinking skills. have you ever had any student like me in your classroom? How were they doing? What do you guys suggest students lke me to do in order for us to get through a nursing school. Thanks!

[caliotter3]

If you were taking college courses in the past and had no problems with English, then you should be able to handle nursing school in English. Any courses you can take to improve your English should be helpful. You also should take a course in medical terminology. If you can go through school with someone who speaks your native language, you can help each other. One can fill in where the other one misses. If it is allowed, record your lectures at school and listen to them at home. Look up in a dictionary any words you do not recognize.

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

English used to me by second language... I speak 3 other ones! i make sure that i can pronounce the words properly LOL !!! so everybody can understand me! it is pretty much the same as anything else!!!

[JJRN09]

I think that if you are willing to apply yourself to nursing school you will be able to do just as well as anyone else. I have several classmates that are English as a second language students and for the most part they are doing very well. Good Luck.

[picurn10]

one of my classmates is Russian and she's only been here 8yrs, but she's got some of the top grades in class! Good luck!

[RockinLadySN]

I have a girl in my class who is Korean. She seems to be pretty fluent in English, and has a somewhat strong accent.. sometimes she has trouble formulating the correct grammar. But she is making it through just fine! I don't know how she's doing in the clinical setting, but in class everything is great. I figured it would be a little difficult for her, especially when it comes to the medical terminology.

If anything, I would recommend a medical terminology class, and maybe even getting an NCLEX-style book to familiarize yourself with how exams are worded/formulated. The NCLEX style questioning on exams was the biggest change for me, especially if you've taken previous college courses. It's a completely different way of testing and asking things.. lots of critical thinking and applying learned material to scenerios.. a lot of stuff just isn't 'black and white' and repeating stuff verbatim. I think you'll be just fine if you apply yourself and study hard! Good luck!

[ccac international]

I am the one!I have been here for 3 years and I am about to finish my 1st semester of nursing school!I have an A,so if I can do it you can do it!I agree with other guys,take med terminology if you can,that can help!Sometimes will be a little bit challenging but it's not the language.You need to figure out how to do NCLEX questions!Good luck!Let me know if you need any help!

[ilovemychihuahua]

Hi ccac international! Thanks so much for your reply! Wow you have been here only for three years and you are in nursing program.... that is so great. I have been here for 7 years, but still i feel english is such a hard language. I tend to think i can't reach to what i wana do because of my english. But that's something i need to get over. I want to believe that i can do it. This forum actually gives me hopes and I am so glad to hear other people's opinions and advises. And I am so glad to hear you as an internationl student are doing so well in nursing. that gives me a courage to go into this field.

By the way, where are you from? Keep in touch!!!