Is Being Fluent in English and Spanish a benefit?

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jun 5, 2011

I am not sure you will be paid more, but being bilingual in English-Spanish is a benefit in today's healthcare environment. You will definitely have an advantage in hiring, especially in certain states such as Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, and California.

caliotter3 · Jun 5, 2011

In order to qualify for any language pay, you usually have to take a test that is pretty comprehensive. It is not easy to get. However, any degree of language fluency in Spanish is going to be handy for anyone working with a Spanish-speaking population.

prettypiedra · Jun 5, 2011

THANK YOU VickyRN, just knowing that could be a hiring advantage is a HUGE relief :) Thank you. I know, now a days just getting one foot in the door is hard, so if this can help me get that one foot in, Im happy with that.

Thanks:yeah:

prettypiedra · Jun 5, 2011

thank you caliotter3, there is an exam i can take at my college to get certified in spanish it is verbal and written, i will go ahead and take this exam too, to be able to add this to my resume. i cannot wait to get in the hospital and be able to help the spanish speaking patients so they don't have to suffer while trying to express their feelings and symptoms to a translator, i know time is critical, and seconds, can mean life or death :crying2:

cheeeze12 · Jun 6, 2011

I would assume it is beneficial to be able to speak both since Spanish is the second largest spoken language in the U.S. I think.

prettypiedra · Jun 6, 2011

thanks Cheeze12 :)

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2011

I agree that being fluent in spanish will be a huge benefit to you when you finish school. As far as a hospital paying more....I guess it depends on the facility. I would think in most big hospitals probably not because they pay A LOT of money for the language line they use for translation.

badtz_maru, MSN, RN · Jun 6, 2011

That is a benefit, period :) In the healthcare field...and otherwise. Your skills will be useful, no doubt!!

Good luck with the rest of your prereqs and subsequently in nursing school!

prettypiedra · Jun 7, 2011

@ ckh23, Yes I have heard about those language lines but hopefully where ever i work, the hosptal can see how much easier it is to not have to use those language lines as often :) I am sooo anxious and excited to become an RN.

@ badtx maru, thank you so much, I cant wait to see the look on patients face when they know that I am there to help them with out needing to wait on a translator :) I cant wait to finish school, i hope the next three years flllyyyy by :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

tokidokifantasy · Jun 7, 2011

so glad I am multilingual too...while doing rotations we had a lot of Asian patients that need care but could not explain it because they did not speak English. I was able to help and that really made me grateful for not losing my native language. Spanish is second largest spoken language.....that's the only regret I have, for not learning the language when I could in high school. it's so useful in hospital setting and I had to always get my instructor to translate for me. sighs....need to learn some simple words!! haha

prettypiedra · Jun 7, 2011

@tokidokifantasy, see your post touched my heart, those are the stories i love to hear, yes i can imagine the feeling you felt personally being able to assist the patients, I think this is a relief for patients too huh? just knowing that the hospital cared to staff someone that spoke a different language:yeah:let me ask you this, is being multi lungual at the top of your resume? or just under special skills or traits? :idea: