Language barrier dilemna

PedsRN2016 · Dec 22, 2017

I guess my first question is why you need English speaking patients? Does your school require a thorough interview of the patient?

I also live in an area where at least half of my patients' parents are Spanish only. I also can get by a little bit, but no fluent conversation and no medical terminology. I just do my best with what I have. Obviously, if a serious conversation is needed I get an interpreter, but I use my little bit of Spanish to say I am going to check out the patient a bit (I.e. Assess), or to ask them if they need water or anything. If they say they need something I don't understand there is usually a better Spanish speaker around who can clarify for my, but 99% of the time they just ask for water or point at a pillow if I don't understand that they are asking for pillows.

When I was in school, we usually just had to do one full assessment, usually with the patient's nurse and then could get most of the other information from the chart! If it's like this, you may be fine with a Spanish speaker as well!

Nursing school is scary, but don't let this hold you back! You will get through it and be done soon enough!

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 23, 2017

Here's why it shouldn't matter what language your patient speaks and whether you speak it as well:

You should be utilizing the appropriate resources. In this scenario, that would mean either a certified medical translator or a device that links you to a certified interpreter. I'll bet if you look up the policy for what and when a patient must have an interpreter for the facility where you are doing clinicals, it will spell out a lot of things- mine certainly does. Even native Spanish speakers are not permitted to be translators unless they have taken a test and been approved by our language facilitator department. Now, can you see if a patient is having pain or wants something to eat/drink? Absolutely! But when it comes to medical terminology, a certified interpreter is best.

Castiela · Dec 23, 2017

Once you become a nurse, you cannot refuse an assignment because you don't speak the same language. You will be amazed at how much you can get by with charades, pointing, pictures and the occasional web use. I would say that 50% of my patient assignment don't speak English. You make do, do the best you can, utilize patients family or coworkers to translate if needed or call the medical translator. I've only had to call the translator twice- to get consent for surgery.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2017

We are required to utilize certified medical interpreters. My hospital has its own in-house interpreters; otherwise we connect via video conference or telephone.

As RoseQueen said, it is not acceptable to use the family to interpret, or even bilingual staff.

It is considered an equal access issue -- unless the pt is fully able to communicate with the care team, that pt is NOT getting the same care as English-speaking pts.

TexasLVN91 · Dec 24, 2017

Thank you all so much. I just feel like the odd man out I guess, because nearly everyone here does speak spanish. My instructors emphasize therapeutic communication and establishing rapport...our assessments are also expected to be thorough, including gathering background information. I will look into it at my clinical site, but I'll definitely keep working on my spanish haha.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Dec 24, 2017

Dice que habla espanol pero hay "huecos" en su espanol medico... no es problema. Simplemente debe obtener libros de espanol medical y estudiar lo que necesista y llena los huecos. Tambien, hay sitio de web que podrÃa ayudar... Sugiero que visite docmolly.com

(You say you speak Spanish but there are "holes" in your medical Spanish ... it's not a problem. You just need to get Spanish medical books and study what you need and fill in the gaps. Also, there is a website that could help ... I suggest you visit docmolly.com)

Julius Seizure · Dec 29, 2017

Dice que habla espanol pero hay "huecos" en su espanol medico... no es problema. Simplemente debe obtener libros de espanol medical y estudiar lo que necesista y llena los huecos. Tambien, hay sitio de web que podrÃa ayudar... Sugiero que visite docmolly.com
(You say you speak Spanish but there are "holes" in your medical Spanish ... it's not a problem. You just need to get Spanish medical books and study what you need and fill in the gaps. Also, there is a website that could help ... I suggest you visit docmolly.com)

Show off :sneaky:

nalie2, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 30, 2017

I was in a similar situation during school. My Spanish is flawed and when it came to medical terminology, forget it! Because you are living in an area that bilingual I would suggest you just adapt.

I gestured, I acted things out and that was usually enough for my assessment and what I did as a student. I show my stethoscope and show on myself that I will be listening to heart and lung sounds. When it's time for a serious conversation I'll call the hospital interpreter so I don't miss anything in my Spanglish. I also used Google translate to look up words and that helped fill the holes in my Spanish. The medical center I work at is so diverse that the majority of our patients are Spanish speaking. It's so common to have patients that speak only Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Farsi, you name it.

I strongly suggest that you reconsider how you are picking patients. Yes it is super convenient when they speak English, but wouldn't you rather have someone with an interesting diagnosis or have a patient that will provide a better learning experience as a higher priority over convenience? Of course your instructors want a thorough assessment and background information, but you'll have to get it regardless of the language they speak. This is how it will be in the working world, you gotta use your resources and figure it out. Take this as a learning experience because it will help you in the future.