Nurses not speaking english at work

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2010

why not try to learn a new language, sounds like a good opportunity.

Reigen · May 14, 2010

I work nights and the majority of the night nurses are foreign, they are all very good nurses but sometimes I feel out of place because they are always speaking their language to each other. They all take their breaks together and have a feast every night, many times leaving me on the floor by myself. I am out numbered and am afraid to say anything, it took awhile to get accepted and I don't want to make waves.

The part in your post that really bothers me is the "many times leaving me on the floor by myself "

This is really not a good practice, and should be brought to your managers attention. Patient safety is far more important than coworkers taking a break together. The loss of effective communication when not being able to understand coworkers who are speaking another language besides English also can harm patient care/safety.

By comming from patient safety/patient care angle to your manager, and not a personal I feel left out angle your manager can address the issue(s).

Asking your coworkers to teach you a few phrases in their language might help, if you can get them to teach you how to say I need your assistance, could you please help me, and thank you!

Explaining to them that you want to be able to provide excellant care, but that you are afraid that when they all take breaks together, and leave you alone on the floor, you fear the patients will not be safe. They are still responsible for their assigned pateints unless they have given a report to another nurse who can and will continue the care that the patients might need while they take a break.

Again this comes from a patient safety point rather than a personal one.

Trauma Columnist · May 14, 2010

Sorry, but when you work in the US, you need to speak English at work!

No ifs, ands, or buts!

This is a pt safety issue - the rest of the staff shouldn't be allowed to take their breaks/lunch together - need to stagger the times.

mindlor · May 14, 2010

I am a little stupid so bear with me.

Many US CITIZENS who are RN's are out of work yet we have foreign nurses speaking a foreign language at work in a US hospital while the unemployed US nurses are having their homes foreclosed on?

Can someone please educate me on how this is possible?

netglow, ASN, RN · May 14, 2010

why not try to learn a new language, sounds like a good opportunity.

I respectfully disagree.

I am a true believer of "When in Rome..." If I were to decide to work in another country, I would become proficient in the language of that country, more specifically the predominant language of my workplace. Healthcare demands consistent communication between staff. There is no room for variance. This situation should be handled immediately by management.

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2010

That behavior is just rude and thoughtless. I feel for you, because I doubt you'll really be able to change it.

phoenixrn · May 14, 2010

I am a little stupid so bear with me.
Many US CITIZENS who are RN's are out of work yet we have foreign nurses speaking a foreign language at work in a US hospital while the unemployed US nurses are having their homes foreclosed on?
Can someone please educate me on how this is possible?

We have a large population of RNs born in the Phillipines who speak Tagalog. Few people know this, but the Phillipines have been under US military control since the Spanish-American war (similar to the relationship the US has with Puerto Rico and Guam). Filipinos are not allowed to participate in US elections, but are often given immigration preference to work as RNs during periods of nursing shortage.

The US has had free reign to "use" the Phillipines for its military purposes since the late 1800s. Once could argue that if citizens of a country are subjected to military colonization, they should have the same rights as citizens of that country.

I, personally, am happy to see to Phillipine-born RNs enjoying the benefits of our economy.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · May 14, 2010

The only thing I would have a problem with is them all taking breaks together and being left alone on the floor. That is not ok.

mindlor · May 14, 2010

We have a large population of RNs born in the Phillipines who speak Tagalog. Few people know this, but the Phillipines have been under US military control since the Spanish-American war (similar to the relationship the US has with Puerto Rico and Guam). Filipinos are not allowed to participate in US elections, but are often given immigration preference to work as RNs during periods of nursing shortage.
The US has had free reign to "use" the Phillipines for its military purposes since the late 1800s. Once could argue that if citizens of a country are subjected to military colonization, they should have the same rights as citizens of that country.
I, personally, am happy to see to Phillipine-born RNs enjoying the benefits of our economy.

What nursing shortage? Nurses are out of work and looking for jobs in record numbers.

Please answer my question regarding why it is ok to give jobs to foreingers while US citizens go hungry? I do not understand.

I am not being facetious here, I am really seeking to understand the rationale.

Gingilly · May 14, 2010

I feel a little uneasy about this post. If I read it right, they speak their language among each other but can speak english in other situations i.e., dealing with patients? This happened all the time when I worked a major hospital in Los Angeles with predominately Spanish speaking patients and bilingual Tagalog/English speaking RN's.

I also felt out of place culturally and isolated b/c I don't speak their language. I was told that this is acceptable- there are no official language requirements as long as the nurse can speak the same language as the patient. I felt patronized by this answer since it didn't even apply w/ that pt population.

I can't really advice you much accept to second the take it from a pt safety perspective. When I and a few others complained about this language/ pt discrepancy it backfired on us. We were even more isolated at breaks even though I don't think it was intentional. I almost felt that the foreign nurses needed culture sensitivity classes just to enhance team camaraderie. I think the team should be everyone working on the floor irregardless of cultural background.

However I will say this. My family lives in Europe and I have gotten to know a few hospital staff there. The language requirement is absolutely enforced in an official way. International providers must prove proficiency and speak in that countries tongue. This is a huge bone of contention esp. among the Muslims but they speak Dutch/French/ Fleming at work exclusively and their native tongue off the floor or on personal time.

What kills me is even though I can speak conversationally in French, I couldn't pass the language tests yet because I don't speak idiomatically and this is very important to them. To speak this way I'ld have to practically be immersed in the culture-which is there point exactly. You will be them if you want to work with them. They make no apologies for that.

Just my 2 cents and sorry if I have offended anyone. Sensitive topic

Jen

allnurses Guide · May 14, 2010

Just because they speak a different language does not mean they are not U.S. citizens.

I do, however, feel it is rude to exclude others socially by speaking a different language that all do not speak. If company is mixed, the common language should be spoken whether all are part of that conversation or not. From a professional standpoint, this situation sounds incredibly unsafe to me.