If you could be instantly multilingual...

[HappyPepper]

which languages would make your job easier?

At the moment, I really wish I knew Farsi. Spanish is perpetually on my wish list but I could never keep the motivation to really learn it. What about you guys?

Also, how do you like your interpreter services?

[Dranger]

Elvish, maybe Dwarvish if I have time

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I can already speak Spanish and use it a fair amount in my job. Other languages that would be useful to me: Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese and Arabic.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I can speak basic Spanish, but we also have several people in the department who speak it, so that would actually be my second choice. My first would be sign language, because working in the OR, I have to wear a mask, limiting lip reading ability for those who can. Interpreters aren't allowed in the OR either.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Right now I wish I knew spanish and somalian. In the future I will wish I knew spanish.

Chinese would be great d/t the global impact, not just the local. And farsi just because I regret not going military and being able to go there as a nurse and know the language would be incredible.

[SwansonRN]

Spanish and Mandarin are the two that I think would be the most useful at my job. Actually, scratch that the most useful would be if I could understand what my vented patients are trying to mouth to me because I'm always useless in that department.

[CodeteamB]

Punjabi!

[MECO28, BSN, RN]

Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Somali. Our interpreter services are ok-a little hit or miss sometimes; we have video interpreting 24/7 which is nice. If I accomplish being conversant in Spanish during my lifetime I will be satisfied. I took Swahili lessons for a little while but don't remember much...and it's not that practical since most Swahili speakers also speak English. I just like the way it sounds. :)

[omw2help, BSN, RN]

for ASL try http://www,lifeprint.com . i've taught myself some ASL by watching his youtube videos and visiting his website! languages are fun!

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Spanish for patient needs, Tagalog to understand my peers (90% are Filipina) when they're talking in their native tongue on the unit (in direct violation of hospital policy).

[NurseDirtyBird]

In my area, I've had far more Korean speaking patients than Spanish speaking patients, and we have a couple Spanish speaking nurses on staff. Since my SNF is connected to the hospital, we have access to their interpreter services, but I've never seen them used.

On a related note, has anyone had any luck using Rosetta Stone products for learning a language? Or a private tutor?

[JDZ344]

I would love to be bi-lingual, but my city is so multicultural, it would be nearly impossible to choose just one language. Maybe one of the Indian languages.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Spanish: because I'm not getting good results speaking Italian to Hispanic/Latino patients.

Tagalog: I see a surprising number of Filipino patients that do NOT speak English well or at all.

Russian and Ukrainian (well, to remember how to speak them): to embrace my heritage.