Nursing with a Southern Accent

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 31, 2006

Some people ARE judgmental about accents (but some people are judgmental about any and everything as well).

I have a pretty heavy southern accent as well. I mainly watch to make sure that the words i say don't get interpreted as another.

TazziRN, RN · May 31, 2006

My personal feeling: if you don't mind me asking you to repeat things sometimes, we'll get along just fine!!!

WOLFE, BSN, RN · May 31, 2006

Hello and welcome. Congrats on your decision to become a nurse. Now on the southern accent, personally I would have no problem. The floor I work on our accents are so ethnically mixed...spanish, phillipene, new york, southern, dutch to name a few...now sometimes depending on what is said one may have to say something twice but I don't see that as being problematic. Also take into account the doc's who also have accents...russian, indian, chinese to name a few that I have also worked with. I am actually from VA but moved up north with family years ago. Unfortunately there are all types of stereotypes..don't let it get to you.

beautifulb · May 31, 2006

Personally, I love the southern accents. I traveled for a little bit down south and then realized that I picked it up when I came back home to Yankee country. It wasn't as pronounced as I am sure that your's is but it was enough for people to ask "So, where are you from?"

Embrace your accent but also make sure that non-Southerners can understand you. :)

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · May 31, 2006

One of the NPs at my hospital has a strong Mississippi accent. He speaks clearly enough that it's not a problem for me, especially since I've gotten used to it.

There are a lot of judgemental people in this world, but IMO they will either come around when they get to know you or they aren't worth knowing at all.

Good luck with your program :)

medsurgnurse, RN · May 31, 2006

If anybody gives you any sh*t about your accent, just lay it on a little thicker. You know, "boy, that made me feel lower than snake's belly"....; "He's sicker than a dog"..; or " that goes together like rice and gravy" (louisana). Don't you know, Northeners really think southerners don't go past six grade , don't wear shoes, and 'ain't got no teeth' (couldn't resist).

58flyer · May 31, 2006

Personally I think it is just jealousy that anyone would bash your accent. The Southern accent is one of the most beautiful language dialects there is. Be proud of it and pass it along to your children. Check out the book Southern by the Grace of God by Michael Grissom. There is a whole chapter on the Southern accent. Also, be proud of the fact that you are from the best part of the greatest nation on earth!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · May 31, 2006

If anybody gives you any sh*t about your accent, just lay it on a little thicker. You know, "boy, that made me feel lower than snake's belly"....; "He's sicker than a dog"..; or " that goes together like rice and gravy" (louisana). Don't you know, Northeners really think southerners don't go past six grade , don't wear shoes, and 'ain't got no teeth' (couldn't resist).

How about "Lower than a hound dog's nose" :chuckle

Personally, a Southern accent would be very welcome if I were laid up in the hospital. To me it says caring and comfort. :)

Noahm · May 31, 2006

I would think that your accent sounds lovely. Many people love different accents. I am an American in the UK and I get all sorts of responses. I have been here over 6 years and picked up a lot of British phrases and words so most people can understand me really well now. I have to make sure that I talk very slowly and clear because my elderly patients struggle to understand me at times.

gwami · May 31, 2006

What does Accent have to do with how well you perform your duties?

i do not think it will or does. I have a non American and I am proud of it. What is Accent? Is it not a foreign way of ennuciating and pronouncing words. So called Accent neutral speaking Tv prsenters in America, Britain etc would be categorised as having and accent in Australia or Norway.

My point is everyone has an accent aven native english speakers.

PANurseRN1 · May 31, 2006

Hi y'all (that's the way I would say it anyway)
I'm planning to begin a nursing career in the fall of 2007 (accl. BSN program) and was wondering about something. I have a STRONG southern accent. I'm not ashamed of it, I love my accent. I had no idea I even had one until I was 16 and while on a trip to California some people let me know. The question I have is could I anticipate any issues or trouble with my accent? Also, and PLEASE be honest, it won't hurt my feelings (much =) but what would your reaction be if you are from a place where southern accents are not common and heard your nurse have a twang to the voice?
I work in the healthcare industry and deal with RNs, Quality Improvement personnel, Administrators, Drug Reps, etc on a daily basis and most of the ladies (99% of the people I work with are female) don't seem to mind. However, I feel like a few are looking down their respective nose at me while I talk. I even had a person who thought they were on mute one time say to a group I was on a conference call with "this guy from KEN-tucky thinks he's going to teach us something". One of those real sarcastic tones. I rolled my eyes and smiled because I knew they were the ones making an a$$ out of themselves.
I'm already somewhat apprehensive about being a guy in this profession and fighting off sterotypes. I had never given much thought to any preconceived notions about my my voice though. Will I have another sterotype to deal with? Honestly, what do you think when you hear a guy (or a lady) with a southern accent? Please don't think we're dumb....
Any feedback or commentary would be greatly appreciated!
Y'all have a good evening!

I worked with a traveler from Alabama who had a seriously southern accent. She was a great nurse, but I'll admit there were times when it was like she was speaking a foreign language! We worked around it, but it did provide for some humorous moments, since I have a decidedly East Coast accent (live near the Philly area) and somehow also picked up a bit of NY as well.

I'll never forget the first time she siad "fixin' to." I had asked her if she'd gotten an EKG on one of our ED pts., and she said "I was fixin' to do that next." I honestly hadn't heard anyone say that before (again, life-long East Coaster here), and when it dawned on me what she meant, it cracked me up.

She had just as much fun with my "cawfee," "tawk," and other mannerisms of speech peculiar to my area.

You should be fine. It an be a great ice-breaker.