Is language a barrier for nursing?

vivianhuang · Mar 19, 2004

Hello:) i am an international student. my first language is not english, but i am studying in new zealand. does someone have similar situation as me? is language a barrier for future career? i have no idea whether i need to continue my study or not.can someone give me some suggestion?????thanks!!!:rotfl:

suzanne4, RN · Mar 19, 2004

It depends on where you want to work. If you wish to live in Australia or the US, you are required to have English standards the same as a native speaker.

Sure, you can listen to a patients lungs, have them turn over without speaking the language, etc. But how do you do a proper assessment on them without being able to fully speak and understand the language. If you are planning on working as a nurse even in New Zealand, I would recommend that you continue your English studies or you will not be permitted to stay.

:balloons:

suzanne4, RN · Mar 19, 2004

It depends on where you want to work. If you wish to live in Australia or the US, you are required to have English standards the same as a native speaker.

Sure, you can listen to a patients lungs, have them turn over without speaking the language, etc. But how do you do a proper assessment on them without being able to fully speak and understand the language. If you are planning on working as a nurse even in New Zealand, I would recommend that you continue your English studies or you will not be permitted to stay.

:balloons:

vivianhuang · Mar 20, 2004

thanks a lot:chuckle of course i will continue my english study and i have to :uhoh3: i mean if i pass all courses in the bachelor degree and the examination for registration, can i get a job? because i think if i pass all of these, it means i have already met the requirement to be a nurse. is that right? also i am working in a rest home and a hospital as my part-time job. i will have some experience after graduate, is that better? i really want to work in australia, because my boyfriend's family is living there. just sometime i feel upset and frustrated about my english. what can i do? :crying2:

vivianhuang · Mar 20, 2004

thanks a lot:chuckle of course i will continue my english study and i have to :uhoh3: i mean if i pass all courses in the bachelor degree and the examination for registration, can i get a job? because i think if i pass all of these, it means i have already met the requirement to be a nurse. is that right? also i am working in a rest home and a hospital as my part-time job. i will have some experience after graduate, is that better? i really want to work in australia, because my boyfriend's family is living there. just sometime i feel upset and frustrated about my english. what can i do? :crying2:

suzanne4, RN · Mar 20, 2004

Since you are training in New Zealand, you will still have to pass the nursing boards for Australia. The the IELTS series, same as you would if you wanted to work in the US will also be required. But if you are already able to attend class in English you should not have any problems. Yes, after you finish your studies you will be eligible to work in Australia IF you pass your boards and English exams.

When do you graduate? I would recommend contacting the Australian Board of Nursing. I believe that Gwenith has listed their information under the Australasian thread.

Keep me posted on how things are going for you................... :balloons:

suzanne4, RN · Mar 20, 2004

Since you are training in New Zealand, you will still have to pass the nursing boards for Australia. The the IELTS series, same as you would if you wanted to work in the US will also be required. But if you are already able to attend class in English you should not have any problems. Yes, after you finish your studies you will be eligible to work in Australia IF you pass your boards and English exams.

When do you graduate? I would recommend contacting the Australian Board of Nursing. I believe that Gwenith has listed their information under the Australasian thread.

Keep me posted on how things are going for you................... :balloons:

vivianhuang · Mar 21, 2004

Thanks your reply:) I still have two-year study. I am studying in stage 2. SOmetimes i fell confident, but sometimes ........just feel stressful. I have stuied Clinical Medicine for four years in my country. So I can manage the science or maths. But i feel it's not easy to be accepted in the society. I remembered at the beginning in stage one, I was the only international student in my class, no one told to me( now it's getting better. Few monthes ago, I tried to find a part-time. Before I opened my month, they said they need someone good at English! Frustrated! I am not that bad:( I am a hard-working person, I just feel sometimes i have no chance to practice. but anyway) i will not give up! you make me feel confident!! Nice to meet you in the internet:)

suzanne4, RN · Mar 21, 2004

Vivian, Definitely don't give up. Practice speaking English as much as possible, watch movies, pay attention to the accents. I have friends over here that are actually fluent in English, and primarily self taught from watching movies. It really does work. My students at my school watch movies almost on a daily basis. We have a total of about 200 so they have a wide choice.

Good luck......................and feel free to send me a PM anytime.

You can also reach me on Yahoo or Hotmail Instant Messenger.

My user name is: ssstollman for both.

cera · Mar 21, 2004

Hello,

I'm not a student yet, but I'm trying to become one, and my situation is the same: my first language is not english. Since I came in USA (1yr) I've attended school trying to improve my english (I took some english courses back in my country, so I'm not a beginner!!). In the present, I understand and write pretty well english, but I still have problems talking.

I'm just at the beginning and I don't have any clue if I'm going to be admitted in the nursing program, but I'm not giving up at my dream.

So, I want you to know that you're not alone and there is someone in the same position as you!!!

Cera

Hello:) i am an international student. my first language is not english, but i am studying in new zealand. does someone have similar situation as me? is language a barrier for future career? i have no idea whether i need to continue my study or not.can someone give me some suggestion?????thanks!!!:rotfl:

suzanne4, RN · Mar 22, 2004

Cera, My suggestion to you also, try to watch as many movies as you can. That really helps. Pay attention to how they are using words to get their point across. I tried this with one of my students that started with me three months ago, and her speech is now completely fluent. I have several friends that did this over here in the past and it really worked for them.

Good luck to you........................ :balloons: