Is it professional??????????

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Mar 11, 2007

When I was a CNA I worked with a group of CNA's that would pick out the assignment they wanted and left me with the worse one. When I asked why, they said it was because I never gave any input as to what I wanted. They would speak in their own language and I never knew they were setting assignments. Often times they would do this before shift in the break room. Sucks to be an English speaking person in a situation like that. It's not only rude but mean spirited.

caliotter3 · Mar 11, 2007

And where were the charge nurses?

Blessed2BeMommy · Mar 11, 2007

Personally, I love it when people hear my deep southern accent and assume I don't speak Spanish. They will go on and on, and I understand about 80-90% of what they say. Once I'm sure they think they are safe and start gossiping, I'll jump into the conversation. My Spanish accent is flawless and I speak almost as rapidly as they do.

As for the British accent, when I spent summers there as a teenager, I acquired one of those, too, but I can ONLY do it when exposed to it... I've heard this called a sympathetic ear. And it's not affected, because I can't NOT do it...

We had a Scottish nurse where I worked and she came home from visiting family with an INCREDIBLY thick accent. It took her a few weeks to "Americanize" again... she always had some accent, but it was worst at this time.

She called down to supply and I heard her side of the conversation.

"Ted hose. I said I want TED hose. No I don't need the kitchen, I don't want any bloody POTATOES... I said I wanted TED HOSE!"

I finally had to get on the line and tell supply what she wanted.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2007

If your institution handbook requires English to be spoken while at work, then you have the basis for a complaint. They are not communicating with a patient, they are communicating with each other. This can be construed as a hostile work atmosphere. Had this not been in writing, then I don't know that there would have been anything you could have done about it. But it is, and as such, they are going against policy. I would submit a complaint to both your nurse manager and to HR.

One I dont speak English, I speak Texan, if you cant understand me go back north to where they speak english maybe.:monkeydance: :uhoh3:

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2007

Wow!! That's a tough one. You are caught in the middle of respecting someone else's culture and being ethical. How about your rights? I think that that should be respected by your co-workers. For all you know, they could be throwing derogatory statements you way without you having a clue. Now that doesn't seem fair to me.
:uhoh21:

we have no rights, nothing new there:balloons:

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2007

Seriously, I have about a 55 percent hearing loss. So unless Im looking at you conversations around me I cant hear anyway. So I dont really care what people say, or talk about, or what language they use. It doesnt mean a thing to me, in the least. I love being half deaf. All those years of rock and roll.

ROCK ON FOREVER

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 12, 2007

I am very white & fluent in Spanish. I don't look like a like candidate for speaking Spanish. So I can eavesdrop on conversations without anyone ever suspecting.

I reached a point when I stopped caring what people are saying about me about the same time I realized that they aren't saying ANYTHING about me at all. They are talking about the weather, TV shows, life, work, whatever. But they're not talking about me. And if they are, I am secure enough in who I am not to let it bug me.

We have two Filipina nurses where I am that often converse and/or give each other report in Tagalog. I have no clue what they are saying but it doesn't bother me.

I can see if you are in front of a patient that doesn't speak the language, then yes, please respect that patient. But I bet if you and I were in another country, even if we spoke that country's language, we would probably speak to each other in English, at least amongst each other. It's not a big deal to me.

ben123 · Mar 12, 2007

It is very unprofessional. I understand tagalog and I hear nurses talk about member sizes, who is a b----, that dr. is so hot, she is really fat (sitting right there completely oblivious to what they are saying. Who was on wowowee and lots and lots of gossip.

ayla2004, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2007

worked in a NH with 2 different groups of non english speaking staff.

managment had to remind ppl to speak in english while at work including breaks because i think some of the famillies or staff complained.

at times its isolating at break when u don't understand but if asked they would remeber to speak english to me.

i did witness report in english which was augmented by explantion in another language as some foregin co-workers language is better than others

k1968mm · Mar 28, 2007

I work in a LTC where 90% of the nurses (including the ADON) are foreign graduates (and from the same country, actually not only nurses....the PT/OTs, dieticians and kitchen aids, laundry aids and also some CNAs are from the same country). I love diversity in workplace but the problem here is these people speak in their own language (99% of the time) while talking to other employees from their country. They don't care even if someone else, who doesn't undrestand their language, is around. I tried to tell them a couple of times but they are too many of them that it is impossible to tell each and every person to talk in english. Looks like in two years I am going to master that language.........I myself being a foreigner having different native language...I don't favor talking in native languages at workplace unless it is required to facilitate communication between the patient and the care provider..............What do you guys think? Is it professional????????????

Hi,

I am a naturalized American Citizen (originally from Brazil) and I don't tip-toe around the subject you addressed. I am very much against special treatment to ANY foreign language in the United States that is not English! To me this is not a political issue, it is an issue of common sense. I work with some folks who are, without a doubt, smart people. However a large sum of them do not make too much of an effort to learn English better in order to communicate with patients and with coworkers. Some of my foreign coworkers cannot pronounce words well enough for patients to understand. It is so ironic to me that we have special phones, Spanish dictionaries, translators etc... all to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients, and yet we are having the problem the other way around!! Sometimes I wonder if PATIENTS will have to take a dictionary to the hospital with them in order to tell a nurse they need a urinal....

I have coworkers from Asian countries who can't pronounce "sheet" (it comes out as "****"); also coworkers who speak mostly Spanish.

Pardon my "French"! but what the hell ?????

When I started college back in 2000 I had to take an exam to test my ability to read and write English ... I passed with a 97% score. I work hard and diligently to speak as clearly and as correctly as I can because it is on my best behalf to do so. Now when I hear some of my college professors talk about 'communication' and the importance of learning yet another language in order to 'serve' better, I shake my head in disbelief....

I don't support and don't participate in this even thou I speak three languages. I think it is rude, dangerous, and down right irresponsible to place folks who have language barriers in jobs like Nursing where the potential for unintentional harm is huge.

Sorry..I don't mean to step on any toes, but that is just how I see it. We live in the United States, and we speak English here. Therefore it is us, the foreigners, who have an obligation to adapt - not the other way around.

K

ann945n, RN · Mar 28, 2007

K1968mm I thank you! I wish other foreigners would understand that if you want to live and work in another country it is your duty to learn their language and also a form of respect. I didnt live in germany and walk around speaking english and not trying my darnest to to understand others. I think it should be a requirment in any job to speak english clearly and understand it clearly. I am willing to work with anyone who is just starting out cause I too have been there and have been shy about trying it out. I wish all were that way!

chris2227 · Mar 28, 2007

I totally agree with you guys... It is so disrespectful and unproffessional. I have seen and heard this happen so many times it's just annoying. Speak english for god's sake. I am also a foreinger from a english speaking island and I don't go around speaking my dilect when I communicate at work.