Nursing to the Deaf?

bagladyrn, RN · Dec 27, 2010

i don't think you can mix nursing with sign language, its a mode of communication, wouldn't they feel isolated, we have a deaf person in our facility and he appears to like it just fine. Just my opinion. we do have a lady that works in the salon and she knows sign language, we use her whenever we need her to translate something to pt's who use sign language, when she's not there we have to right it on a piece of paper. BTW i work at a LTC in houston, TX. During my clinicals at LBJ (lyndon b. johnsosn) hospital, they had interpreters, people who could sign and even read braile, they were not nurses, just worked with the nursing team.

Actually, yes you can mix it. Before becoming an OB nurse I worked as a nurse on a psych unit for hearing impaired (not only deaf, also aphasic, deaf/blind and hard of hearing) psych patients. Everyone working on the unit was required to learn ASL and practice Total Communication, not just nursing but OT, Medical and even housekeepers.

It was quite revealing to see the behavioral improvements as our ability to communicate improved.

CuriousMe · Dec 27, 2010

i don't think you can mix nursing with sign language, its a mode of communication, wouldn't they feel isolated, we have a deaf person in our facility and he appears to like it just fine. Just my opinion. we do have a lady that works in the salon and she knows sign language, we use her whenever we need her to translate something to pt's who use sign language, when she's not there we have to right it on a piece of paper. BTW i work at a LTC in houston, TX. During my clinicals at LBJ (lyndon b. johnsosn) hospital, they had interpreters, people who could sign and even read braile, they were not nurses, just worked with the nursing team.

ASL isn't a mode of communication, it's a language with it's own grammar, syntax and vocabulary.

I have friends who majored in Spanish, because they wanted to mix their two interests....I don't see why someone couldn't do the same with ASL...

It's all about finding the right community to serve in.

RainbowzLPN, LPN · Jan 8, 2013

I'd love to learn sign language. I've looked locally (I live in central Pa), but can't find anywhere to take classes. I've even looked online, though I don't know if that'd be as an effective way of learning.

jlazear · Jan 9, 2013

I'm currently a nursing student and I have previously taken classes in ASL up through the first intermediate level. It is a beautiful language and the deaf community is a fantastic group of people to work with. They are a very close knit community that are much more like a family. I'm sure you can find a way to mix your love for ASL with Nursing! I've thought about going back to get my degree in interpreting so that I can be on the roster at the hospital I work for, as an interpreter too! I think hospitals appeal to an idea like this more because we as nurses are familiar with the medical terminology and can learn the medical signs needed to interpret for a patient. A good interpreting program is really hard to come by. I know there are a few online, but I know personally, I would rather be face to face with someone when learning this language.

jlazear · Jan 9, 2013

I'm not 100% sure about this, but the community college where I participated in PSEO during high school has an interpreting/ASL major, so they offer all levels and specialty classes needed to learn ASL. I'm not sure if they are offering online classes now as a new program coordinator has come in since I left and went to nursing school. You can look into if you'd like. Its Washington State Community College in Marietta, OH. The website is: Home. Also, you can email Ashley, the program coordinator at WSCC and ask about other online programs as she would be able to point you in the right direction to get your education in ASL! Here is the program page: ASL Interpretation

RainbowzLPN, LPN · Jan 9, 2013

Thanks so much for the input, I'll definitely check into them!

LISA PORTER · Jan 16, 2013

I would love to find a way to mix Nursing with American Sign Language (ASL). Does anyone know of special hospitals or centers that cater towards deaf people? Or an area that has a high deaf population?

I work as a nurse on the campus of a deaf and blind school - we use sign language every day with the students. most states have a deaf school or campus that employ nurses who need to use sign language as their second language. we do use ASL - however, most of our students use "pigeon" sign or home made signs - as a general rule we try to use ASL.

LISA PORTER · Jan 16, 2013

ASL is a language - and yes you can mix nursing and sign language. actually there are great sources for medical sign language online. many hospitals and departments of health employ interpreters - which includes sign language. when you have to meet the needs of the public/community - is is almost required.

Icooka4u · Jan 31, 2017

I would love to find a way to mix Nursing with American Sign Language (ASL). Does anyone know of special hospitals or centers that cater towards deaf people? Or an area that has a high deaf population?

Rochester NY & Washington DC have the highest population of Deaf people because of their colleges for the Deaf. A large portion of Deaf students graduate and usually stay in the city or move to one or the other.

Rochester NY has RSD (Rochester School for the Deaf), & NTID a college of RIT. NTID has undergraduate degrees for Deaf students, and an ASL-English Interpretation Degree for Deaf, hoh (hard of hearing), & hearing students as well as an ASL- Deaf Cultural Studies degree/minor/certificate.

University of Rochester has an ASL Major, while their hospital (Strong Memorial Hospital) now called University of Rochester Medical Center has Deaf Wellness Center that also does Deaf research.

Washington DC has Gallaudet University who also offers an ASL Major B.A. or M.A., and Deaf Cultural Studies, ect...