Not even a word of English

decembergrad2011, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2012

As someone else said, I also separate the political issue from the healthcare issue. I'm not happy about the fact that some immigrants do not make attempts to learn English, but many of them do.

I took Spanish throughout middle school, high school, and part of college for a total of 12 years. I can write and speak fairly well, but nowhere near enough to explain medical care in Spanish. I know enough to basically confirm things with the patient, have casual conversation, and assess pain. I try my best to make an effort to speak Spanish with Spanish-speaking clients, with lots of errors and "lo siento"s thrown in, because I think that they do appreciate it. I love the smile that Spanish-speakers give me when I give them a simple greeting and introduce myself in Spanish. It's the smile of thanks for meeting them halfway, and often they will still speak to me in broken English if I can't understand their meaning with Spanish.

I try to put myself into their position. If I was in Mexico receiving medical care on vacation, I would freak out if no one around me could explain what was happening in English. Even knowing plenty of Spanish, I would prefer that they spoke to me in English. It would be as comforting as it would be informative in the situation.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jul 25, 2012

What resources do you suppose people have to facilitate their language acquisition? I live in a large city with a lot of immigrants from different areas. There are community centers that offer ESOL classes free of charge...and the waiting lists are about 18 months to 2 years long. Not to mention that often these immigrants are working menial jobs, which means physical labor and long hours for low pay, so paying for classes and finding one to fit one's schedule would be challenging.I understand the sentiment that people should learn English if they want to live (well) here, but the reality of it is far, far more complex than "learn the language, damn it."

I totally get that immigrants don't have the resources to attend ESL

classes. But I don't understand how someone can live in the US for years and not pick up even basic English. Even in Spanish speaking neighborhoods, there's plenty of English. The only possible way a human being could live in the United States for years and not learn BASIC English is through a deliberate effort NOT to do so.

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Jul 25, 2012

This past 2 weeks, the patients i have opened up cases for in HH speak not a work of English. They have social security numbers, Medicare benefits, and Medicaid benefits. Live in the U.S. But do not speak a word of English. Getting a family member who does or a translator at a certain time, or even to make a simple phone call and to get someone to answer the door is an utmost challenge.
I know this topic is controversial, but why am I struggling to hard to understand some Spanish so I can do my job in America?
Most are quite lovely patients. Some are just shocked that I don't speak Spanish!
My rant of the day. And these days, there are a lot of rants for me in this field, I admit it.

start learning Spanish is my suggestion....I agree we should ecourage English only, but it isn't really going to happen....I am taking Spanish right now in order to further my credentials and honestly I will need that skill....I don't like it, but it is reality.....

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 25, 2012

needless to say, this is the reason why i learned english prior coming to usa. having said that, while living and growing up in my native country of madrid, spain, i learned the very basics in school like (dog,window,girl, boy etc.) however, the conversational english i learned as an adult was in chelsea, london. unquestionably, i felt if i wanted to live and work in the states i needed to learn english in order to communicate with my patients and staff, not to mention in my daily living. with that said, i understand that not everyone can afford or are able to learn another language, although these days one can get free lessons on line, and in some schools. furthermore, as years go by i have noticed an increase of international patients in our pt. census at the facility where i work, from spanish, french, italian, german, and portuguese. admittedly, i find languages intriguing and exciting for the development of any individual. therefore, if one can learn at least the basics in a conversational language outside of your own, is not only beneficial to the patient and their family but also it makes you more marketable in any profession. in addition, in our facility 1 out of 3 nurses speak fluently another language besides their native one including hawaiian . following this further, learning another language gives an individual the ability to step inside the mind and context of that other culture, without the ability to communicate and understand a culture of our patients; it could bring an unfavorable outcome in their recovery under our care. in conclusion, an individual competent in other languages can bridge the gap between cultures, and promote security to our patients, as we excel in delivering the highest caliber of nursing.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 25, 2012

if i was in mexico receiving medical care on vacation, i would freak out if no one around me could explain what was happening in english. even knowing plenty of spanish, i would prefer that they spoke to me in english. it would be as comforting as it would be informative in the situation.

major difference in "on vacation" and staying here for a lifetime and making no effort.

decembergrad2011, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2012

Major difference in "on vacation" and staying here for a lifetime and making no effort.

I was using it as an example because I don't plan on emigrating. But regardless, I would want to hear my care in my primary language.

How does anyone know how long their patients have lived in America, anyway? Being a middle-aged adult does not guarantee you've lived here for years. Unless the patients are nasty to you, I don't understand the hostility. Anyone would prefer to converse about important information in a language they wholly understand. The situation does not really matter in a nursing sense.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 26, 2012

I am of hispanic parents, and grew up in a border town and have worked all my nursing time on bordertowns. Many patients DO speak and understand English quite well but refuse or pretend not to.

We get a lot of the upper class from across the border, who come solely to give birth and will refuse a non Spanish speaking nurse at the drop of a dime. Why? They don't want to struggle. Is it fair no? Management doesn't care because all they care about it the bottom dollar. Sad but true.

I cannot imagine struggling to dial a # to communicate with my pts. I can only imagine how time consuming that is. On the other hand, it become extrememly exhausting to have my team of pts plus that of a coworker whom I have to be translating all day.

Very frustrating. Wish there was a solution.

My own mother is very fluent in English and speaks it just as I do but when we are together she refuses and makes one of us translate. I never understood but its such a waste of resources.

sauconyrunner · Jul 26, 2012

I am bilingual. I am also a very pale white chick. Most patients assume I don't speak Spanish (I live in Florida) and they tend to kind of fall over in a swoon when I break it out.

I actually encourage people to learn English for their own opportunities and to help them in an Emergency.

BUT..here's the deal. English is a lot harder to learn than Spanish. Words are spelled funny and have a lot of different same meanings. (Write, right, rite,) Most of the patients I work with who are in their 20-30 range tell me they are trying to learn English. They are often afraid if they use it they will say something wrong and get the wrong care...which is a possibility.

You also have to be really careful about translating, or thinking you are fluent in a language. I refused to translate at my hospital...until I took the translator test and passed it, because I did not want to be responsible. Every single hospital I've worked in either had live translators, or a language line phone. Since I live in a fairly diverse area, I've used the phone for French, Vietnamese and yup even Spanish (there was something complicated to explain). It really was not as big a hassle as we think it is...

Bottom line, we don't really know that other person's situation very well, so it's not really a good idea to judge and decided who should know a foreign language and how well they should know it by a certain time. My guess....about 50% of "not a word of English" speakers are just terrified to try in public. THey Understand far more than we think they do...but sometimes speaking can be tough.

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Jul 26, 2012

I use 'iTranslate' on my Ipod (works on Iphone and others as well) to talk to Spanish patients. For 99 cents it will listen to you in English, translate it and speak it back for your patient to understand. It will do the same to translate Spanish into spoken English as well. The first thing I say is "speak into the phone slowly and in small sentences and it will translate for me". We can have very good conversations as long as the sentences don't get too long. It will also translate several other languages, but only a few will it speak aloud. It works very well.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 26, 2012

Many patients DO speak and understand English quite well but refuse or pretend not to.

This I hate more than anything. When I was working registry at a large clinic with a big Spanish speaking population most of the time I had a translator but when I didn't I would struggle through as best as I could sometimes with the help of index cards and pantomime. Only to latter find out from another staff member they speak English just fine. It may have been because I didn't ask if they spoke English only if they preferred to speak in English or in Spanish (in espanol) My ability to speak waxes and wanes though. So they'd much rather me be talking in gibberish to them than interact in English?

brownbook · Jul 26, 2012

I speak and understand some Spanish, not fluent, but can get by.

I often feel embarrassed around patients and their family who are fluent in Spanish, I worry I will use the wrong words.

I understand how it feels for them to speak English even when they do know some or many words and phrases. I feel certain this is why they don't speak a word of English after being here for x number of years! I have always found the patient and families extremely appreciative of my attempts and the patient who doesn't speak a work of English will often start using and understanding English as they become more comfortable with me and my attempts to make them feel welcome.

I have never met a patient or family who was annoyed, rude, angry, insistent, about Spanish vs English. Maybe you guys give off bad vibes! Can''t we all just get along

itk3838 · Jul 26, 2012

If you look at Census data you can see which states have largest Spanish speaking population.

Three more states will declare Spanish as their second language: Arizona, Alabama and South Carolina. In near future we will see others to join this group because Hispanic Population had larger growth compare to others, it’s just a fact.

As of today we have 82.1% English speakers, 10.7% -Spanish, 3.8% - Indo-European, 2.7% - Asian and Pacific island languages, and others just about 0.7%.

I happened to live in a State that requires their front desk staff to be bilingual. Spanish is a second language due to majority of population who speaks this language. I do believe if you work in official governmental offices, judicial system, major hospitals and banks you must have clear communication with your clients and customers.

Although many English speakers complain about Spanish speakers growth and inability to speak English clearly or none, nearly all second-generation Hispanic-Americans speak English fluently and only lass then half speak correct Spanish.

You are blaming this very small percentage for not speaking English, but in reality you need to blame your government. We see shortage of ESL teachers and linguistic program cut for immigrants. People tend to leave closer to their native speakers in order to gather needed information and socialize.

Legal and Medical Systems must have professional interpretation and translation services for people with various backgrounds. Certification in these areas alone is very hard to get, it involves simultaneous, consecutive and written translation. It's not that simple as it seams.

It is important to avoid any kinds of errors during translation or interpretation.

Our children are more flexible to new changes and they are learning second, third and forth languages if needed. I find it very sad to see this type of reluctance among medical workers. If you don’t speak certain languages then why not to get professional help? Your goal is to provide safe and effective care.