Language or Experience?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2010

Even the most experienced nurse might have extreme difficulty communicating to the patient population if he/she doesn't speak the same language. While the experienced nurse might provide the best care in the world, the non-English speaking patient population and their families might still feel a sense of confusion and puzzlement due to the language barrier.

I am cognizant that some of you are going to come along and say, "This is America, so learn to speak English." I also know that some people are going to view this as an issue related to the social ills surrounding illegal immigration. While I happen to agree with some of these sentiments to a certain extent, I also feel that the non-English speaking patient has the right to have some of the mystery behind his/her care unveiled.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 10, 2010

my issue is HIPAA. If this nurse was hired with the expectation that she will serve as an interpreter, then problems could ensue. She does not have a "need to know" about everyone, cannot possible respond to everyone 24/7 and should have her own duties. Give her a chance, though. She might be a good nurse and it is not her fault someone made the hiring decision in her favor.

Orange Tree · Dec 10, 2010

As least she has an actual skill. I mean, people get hired because they're younger/prettier or have a cousin who knows someone, too.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 10, 2010

As long as she has the minimum skill and experience level required for the job, then I have no problem with them hiring her over someone with more experience, if they feel they need more RNs who can communicate with the pts in their native language.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 10, 2010

Nursing experience can be gained in a couple of years, and unless this nurse is brand new, it sounds like she has some experience already.

Full fluency in a needed foreign language takes longer unless you move abroad and are fully immersed.

NursePati87 · Dec 10, 2010

Well I would think that communication is key when working with any patient...on that same note...there is a hospital in my area that gives preference to bilingual nurses because their patient population is 50% hispanic so for them that makes a lot of sense.

IHeartPeds87 · Dec 10, 2010

Even the most experienced nurse might have extreme difficulty communicating to the patient population if he/she doesn't speak the same language. While the experienced nurse might provide the best care in the world, the non-English speaking patient population and their families might still feel a sense of confusion and puzzlement due to the language barrier.
I am cognizant that some of you are going to come along and say, "This is America, so learn to speak English." I also know that some people are going to view this as an issue related to the social ills surrounding illegal immigration. While I happen to agree with some of these sentiments to a certain extent, I also feel that the non-English speaking patient has the right to have some of the mystery behind his/her care unveiled.

I couldn't agree more!

Also, in regards to the OP's post :

How do you know that the only reason the nurse was hired was due to her language skills? Maybe the manager/whoever hired her liked her personality and thought she would mesh well with the unit...who knows.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 10, 2010

I am cognizant that some of you are going to come along and say, "This is America, so learn to speak English."

I would hope not, considering the obligation to speak to a patient in their native language is part of the standards of care set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services. As healthcare providers, the onus is on US to communicate with our patients in THEIR language, not the other way around.

Belle Epoque · Dec 11, 2010

Who says the nurse will serve as an interpreter? She'll be providing care in the patient's own language, that's no different than providing care in English to an English speaking patient. Is that considered interpretation?

At my hospital, 50% of the nursing staff are required to be bilingual meaning if a job posting indicates fluency in another language, irregardless of how experienced you are, if you haven't met this bilingual requirement then you're unqualified for the position and will not get it. It's completely fair.

The only reason these RNs are angry is because they're jealous. If you lack the requirements listed for the job, you can only blame yourself for not getting it.

thmpr · Dec 11, 2010

Thank you all so much for your responses. This issue struck a nerve.

Oh, if you see my marbles anywhere you can keep all but the purple & the green ones. I need 'em!

TheCommuter

'...the non-English speaking patient has the right to have some of the mystery behind his/her care unveiled.”

Yup! Yup! Yup!

classicdame

“my issue is HIPAA. If this nurse was hired with the expectation that she will serve as an interpreter, then problems could ensue. She does not have a "need to know" about everyone, cannot possible respond to everyone 24/7 and should have her own duties. Give her a chance, though. She might be a good nurse and it is not her fault someone made the hiring decision in her favor.”

She is not “expected” to interpret. However, there are quite a few of us who are bilingual & often assigned patients d/t language &/or asked to interpret for others. I say no if I'm too busy. But the truth is that it really seems expected.

You make a valid point about HIPAA that I really need to look into. I need to watch my assumptions. But I am confused about the alternative to nurses interpreting. Is it better to have an interpreter who is not a nurse (and possibly wait 2 hours)?

WANT2BANURSESOON

“Also, in regards to the OP's post :

How do you know that the only reason the nurse was hired was due to her language skills? Maybe the manager/whoever hired her liked her personality and thought she would mesh well with the unit...who knows.”

We had a staff meeting because a few senior RNs were angry about the new hire; & our manager likes to “defuse complaining.” Some claimed it was discrimination because the new hire has no ED experience & only two years med/surg. The other applicants have 10+ years ED experience. Needless to say, it turned into a debate.

Consensus was the need for more experienced support with critical patients & that there are too many new nurses during specific shifts. They argued that we already have nurses who speak other languages & we are not interpreters anyway. Being bilingual was not a requirement for the position.

As per various distraught nurses, I am apparently bias because I wrote the new hire a reference & also speak her native language... WHATEVER. :hdvwl: If you get a sense of attitude from me it is because I have one. No really, we are all pretty close at work & everyone was ticked at me for sticking up for the new hire. I am working hard here to have an open mind & it's not coming fast enough. lol

This is not to imply that you are not all helping me find my marbles.

rockabye · Dec 11, 2010

It would help to think of this situation from the patients' side of things and not the coworkers'. If you had an emergency and didn't speak the language, would you want an experienced nurse who you couldn't understand, or would you want a less-experienced nurse who you could efficiently communicate with? It seems like there are already plenty of experienced nurses there who don't speak the language that would be great resources for the less-experienced nurse. The less-experienced nurse who speaks the language is just going to continue to gain experience there as she works.