Nurses not speaking english at work

[Guest296136]

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.

[stormforce]

I am in a situation where I live and work in my own country, but because of the amount of English people who live here I am unable to speak my native language at work. I've heard non natives critise my fellow countrymen for speaking our own language because they can't understand us.

Our government has had to introduce a language law to prevent our native tongue from dying out

I will not speak English if there are staff around who speak my language, its my first language and although I am fluent in English as well I find it easier to communicate in my own language, I know English speakers can't understand me but i don't think in English and it's comforting to be able to relax my guard sometimes and not have to translate before I speak.

There is no excuse for being rude, but if English isn't your first language it is nice sometimes to take a break and not have to think about speaking. I don't mind being told that I'm not understood and will switch to English if needed. Sometimes I don't even realise I've switched until it's pointed out.

what I'm getting at is these nurse who are talking their native language may be going it for a few reasons

it's nice to speak your own language, and far away from home I'd imagine there would be some comfort

they may not realise they have switched from English, language is intinctive if someone says hello to me in my own language I respond in my native tongue automatically, it's not deliberate

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

This is an interesting thread.

It is extremely dangerous not speaking and understanding fluent English, when working in an Englsih speaking nation - too many mistakes can be made.

I've had English speaking patients who told me they had foreign nurses/Drs talk to them, and they have asked me to clarify what they said - and some of these patients are going in for operations! Believe me if I didn't understand my operation cos the Dr didn't speak English/spoke poor English, I would definitely not be going ahead with any operation.

I've worked in many different places and I admit I do find it hard to understand accents, but maybe that is me. It does get frustrating having to ask again and again what they mean or can you repeat that order please. I worked with an Asian nurse one night and I could not for the life of me understand most of the night what she wanted me to do; I was frustrated and so was she. Needless to say I didn't go back there.

It's worse when Drs have heavy accents and you don't know what they want.

If people are in English speaking countries they need to do what the Romans do, and speaking another language over a patient or another nurse, when you should be using English, is just plain down right rude, obnoxious behaviour.

[Flying ICU RN]

It's worse when Drs have heavy accents and you don't know what they want.

Actually that's not entirely accurate, the worse scenario is needing a Rosetta Stone to decipher the written hieroglyphics.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Actually that's not entirely accurate, the worse scenario is needing a Rosetta Stone to decipher the written hieroglyphics.

ha ha that's true! My cousin said I should have been a Dr and when I asked her why, she replied: "Cos I can never read your handwriting!!"

[fuyuojo]

Actually that's not entirely accurate, the worse scenario is needing a Rosetta Stone to decipher the written hieroglyphics.

This is quite off topic but I agree.:)

BOTTOM LINE: If you feel like you're being left out by two co-workers talking with each other on their languages, tell them off immediately.

[kty1]

I am in a situation where I live and work in my own country, but because of the amount of English people who live here I am unable to speak my native language at work. I've heard non natives critise my fellow countrymen for speaking our own language because they can't understand us.

Our government has had to introduce a language law to prevent our native tongue from dying out

I will not speak English if there are staff around who speak my language, its my first language and although I am fluent in English as well I find it easier to communicate in my own language, I know English speakers can't understand me but i don't think in English and it's comforting to be able to relax my guard sometimes and not have to translate before I speak.

There is no excuse for being rude, but if English isn't your first language it is nice sometimes to take a break and not have to think about speaking. I don't mind being told that I'm not understood and will switch to English if needed. Sometimes I don't even realise I've switched until it's pointed out.

what I'm getting at is these nurse who are talking their native language may be going it for a few reasons

it's nice to speak your own language, and far away from home I'd imagine there would be some comfort

they may not realise they have switched from English, language is intinctive if someone says hello to me in my own language I respond in my native tongue automatically, it's not deliberate

And rightly so you should speak your language in your OWN country. Our concerns are when you are in America and the first language is English then speak it! There are too many problems then can and have presented when someone who does not speak or understand well make (especially where patients are involved) If you want to work in America then be professional enough to speak the language. I speak a couple of languages and while i continue to work in America I will only speak English; while in Spain I will speak my language and while in Germany, I will speak German. It's that simple. I do not go off in another language when another German nurse is around. If I am off the floor (and not working) and we are speaking then I will switch off. There are NO EXCUSES for rudeness when speaking another language in front of another peer/patient knowing all too well that they cannot understand you. NO EXCUSE FOR BEING RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL.

[caliotter3]

I once was handed the phone in the middle of a conversation with a doctor. He started the communcation over with me by giving me a rundown about how displeased he was when trying to convey information to and receive information from the previous nurse whose speech was all but unintelligible. My thoughts at the time, were, "What am I supposed to do to correct this, other than to do the necessary work, because nobody wants to deal with her?"

[kty1]

This is an interesting thread.

It is extremely dangerous not speaking and understanding fluent English, when working in an Englsih speaking nation - too many mistakes can be made.

I've had English speaking patients who told me they had foreign nurses/Drs talk to them, and they have asked me to clarify what they said - and some of these patients are going in for operations! Believe me if I didn't understand my operation cos the Dr didn't speak English/spoke poor English, I would definitely not be going ahead with any operation.

I've worked in many different places and I admit I do find it hard to understand accents, but maybe that is me. It does get frustrating having to ask again and again what they mean or can you repeat that order please. I worked with an Asian nurse one night and I could not for the life of me understand most of the night what she wanted me to do; I was frustrated and so was she. Needless to say I didn't go back there.

It's worse when Drs have heavy accents and you don't know what they want.

If people are in English speaking countries they need to do what the Romans do, and speaking another language over a patient or another nurse, when you should be using English, is just plain down right rude, obnoxious behaviour.

AMEN to that!!!! If the patient speaks a different language than rn/dr then absolutely the use of pt's language is very necessary. However, to just speak any language to converse with another nurse is rude and disrepectful!! Yet, certain nurses still find reason to be rude and speak in front of other cna's/rn/med staff with their own language because "it's comforting". Too bad, this is America and when I'm in Spain i will do as they do and speak their language. When in Rome, do as the Romans do!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yeah:

[irish6363]

I can understand the situation because I have also had to work in a enviorment like that, but I was very happy and felt fine. For my own sake I made every effort to learn the language of the nurses and co-workers I spent time with because I enjoyed it. They were the nicest staff I had ever worked with, despite the fact that I was not able to understand them when they talked to eachother in the native language that prevailed among them. I would try to be very open to learning and not feel like you are an outsider..I really do not think it is done on purpose but rather out of just habit perhaps that this occurs. By the time I left I was able to speak and understand alot of the language and really am glad I did take an interest in it. Now if they are rude to you in many ways such as ignoring you even when you make an effort to befriend them and learn, then I can see how it could be a problem. In that case I would say something to let them know that you feel uncomfortable.

[kty1]

I once was handed the phone in the middle of a conversation with a doctor. He started the communcation over with me by giving me a rundown about how displeased he was when trying to convey information to and receive information from the previous nurse whose speech was all but unintelligible. My thoughts at the time, were, "What am I supposed to do to correct this, other than to do the necessary work, because nobody wants to deal with her?"

Again, this makes my point in a previous quote. Having non fluent English speaking nurses causes delays to patient care, mistakes and doctors frustrated because they cannot send there orders over the phone. This also causes people like yourself to do another nureses job.

This problem falls to Human Resources for even allowing these nurses/cna's to be interviewed. How dare they even send these nurses onto the next step to be interviewed by senior supervisors? Tell these med staff nurses/cna etc. to get some english training then come back. This is NOT discrimination as we deal with life and death everyday. Can you imagine me going to a hospital where only Hebrew is spoken and getting a job where only a couple of people understood my English????? Someone is dropping the ball and we stand for it. All dr's, rns,med staff need to continue to complain about this problem - and don't allow anyone tell you there is a shortage of nurses because we educated people know there is none.

Good post caliotter3!!!

[kty1]

This is quite off topic but I agree.:)

BOTTOM LINE: If you feel like you're being left out by two co-workers talking with each other on their languages, tell them off immediately.

And if that does not work, report it as I did because somewhere down the line you get screwed by following a nurse like that who did not follow orders because "she thought" she understood. Having any other language but English spoken (in America) is wrong and can put the patient in danger and the hospital in a libel situation!!

[kty1]

here's my i am a foreign born nurse, although from an english speaking nation, so the language thing doesn't apply. however, i came here when america was in a so-called nursing shortage and i paid my dues working for less than everyone else. now i've been here 7 years and i earn more than the average nursing wage due to my experience and specialty but we are in a recession. i am settled here, own a house here and have a life here. am i supposed to pack up and leave so americans can take my job? i was welcome here once when you needed to use me for my skills. just remember that.

and your point is? this has nothing to do with the post. first, you wanted to come here, second, you speak english, and as you say "language thing doesn't apply to you". we are talking about non language english speaking med staff. who cares if you decided to come here and work for less? please stay focused on the topic as everyone's opinion is needed, but stay focused.

again, the issue is "speak english fluently or please "do not apply"!