I'm currently a peds home health nurse and met with the parents of a client I might me working with. The parents have had bad experiences with foreign nurses mainly from African countries due to their accents. All through the meeting the parents kept mentioning how much they want a nurse who speaks clear English. The parents have had difficulty with communicating with these nurses that have led bad consequences. I have empathize with the parents but at the same time feel sorry for those nurses whom English is hard to understand.
I have worked with nurses and docs who were foreign with thick accents and know how challenging it can be, I can imagine how frustrated the parents may be.
I'm not an accent person. I have to hear it several times to even vaguely understand what someone is saying.
If I was a parent, I'd be very wary of who was caring for my child. I'd question and re-question anyone I didn't understand or ask for another doctor or nurse. And they also have the right to have who they want to care for their child if they're unhappy with a certain staff member.
And I'm tired of working with Asian or other nurses who ORDER me to do something, and brush me off - they don't even have the decency to say 'please can you...' as I would. Some cultures I tell you are lacking in manners, and they need to learn the manners of the country they go to.
My Dad said (I think) a Polish co-worker of his was nearly killed, cos he couldn't read a sign that said a machine was out of order - he couldn't understand it, so it is very dangerous not being able to understand others, especially in the health field.
And I don't feel sorry for people who can't understand English when going to work in an English speaking country or job. It is up to them to do a course and learn it properly, for safety's sake as well as making communication easier. I often still wonder how some people get jobs & pass the English test - the doctors are the worse. I would not let them practice myself. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
I was with you until the Asian comment. Asians are found in many different countries who's cultures are vastly different. There are rude people everywhere, of every race, color and creed. You may not have meant it this way - but this felt a little racist to me.
Do you know that in other parts of the world we are known as the "ugly americans" because of our rudeness and self righteousness and 'all about me' attitudes? I didn't know that until I started traveling extensively out of the country - but it's true. America is not the bastion of perfect manners, believe me.
That being said, I DO believe that those working in this country (American and otherwise) should know how to speak proper English. I also believe this family has the right to hire a nurse that they can easily understand. I am just not sure that this is only relating to foreigners. I have southern friends whom I have to ask to repeat themselves, and I use venacular common in my part of the country and they are confused. We are a big melting pot, whether one likes it or not. (and I DO!) We do have to make accomodations for each other - and when I'm anywhere else I will be happy to ask someone to repeat themselves - but when dealing with medical situations for myself and my family, effective communication is critical and the risk factors if I fail to understand what is being said too great.
I don't know if I have been talking crap, but I actually speak 3 languages (English, Spanish, and Cherokee). I am American, I have an accent, and I am 1/2 Native American (and not from the Cherokee tribe. I am Chicahominy and Nottaway). I also agree that the clients have a right to request a nurse they do not have difficulty understanding. It is hard to keep asking someone to repeat themselves, for the client and the nurse. It can become frustrating for both parties. As for Americans going to other countries and expecting others to speak English, thats the American person problem. You cannot expect to go into another country and everyone speak your language. If you're moving to France, you probably should learn French. JMO.
I totally agree that clients have the right to choose their caregiver, I would do the same thing. However, I would never choose a surgeon based on their accent, I would choose based on feedback and skills. I strongly believe that clients and caregivers need to understand each other clearly. However, I don't believe that the accent is the cause of errors.I have seen American born citizens communicating with each other and asking me what the he'll did he say exactly lol. I am saying that communication is a skill, accent is not always the problem.Just because 2 people speak English without accent it doesn't mean they have great communication skills with the client and coworkers, absolutely Not.Whatever I said previously was for that particular poster, his comment was a lil harsh.stating my opinion again lol.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I agree, but if you can't even begin to understand what the other person is saying you have no basis for any type of effective communication. And that is the situation the O/P posted about.
People are getting so far off track here about what is really simple and basic.
If I cannot even make out what is being said then there is no way i can communicate effectively.
All this other stuff about nationalities and histories of how certain people have acted with other people, and where people come from (and everyone's feelings about it) is all completely irrelevant to the subject .
It makes me NUTS when people have to pull in all this BS and feelings and misunderstandings and everything else into threads like this when what is being discussed is so freaking simple!
I agree, but if you can't even begin to understand what the other person is saying you have no basis for any type of effective communication. And that is the situation the O/P posted about.
People are getting so far off track here about what is really simple and basic.
If I cannot even make out what is being said then there is no way i can communicate effectively.
All this other stuff about nationalities and histories of how certain people have acted with other people, and where people come from (and everyone's feelings about it) is all completely irrelevant to the subject .
It makes me NUTS when people have to pull in all this BS and feelings and misunderstandings and everything else into threads like this when what is being discussed is so freaking simple!
Conversation doesn't take place in a vacuum. It ebbs and flows and different things come out of that which may be different than the original topic - but that doesn't make them less valid thoughts. The OP asked for our thoughts. They didn't ask any questions we were to even answer. I think most of us here have done exactly what the OP asked for, which is to give our thoughts on the subject. Considering that the subject at hand was specifically foreign born nurses with accents, I think a detour into the more complex arena of all health professionals with accents of any kind is certainly warranted. Additionally, because on a message board people are responding not only to the OP but to other's thoughts, the conversation is rarely going to go in a straight line. That's true for this post and frankly, all others on AN.
I agree, but if you can't even begin to understand what the other person is saying you have no basis for any type of effective communication. And that is the situation the O/P posted about.
People are getting so far off track here about what is really simple and basic.
If I cannot even make out what is being said then there is no way i can communicate effectively.
All this other stuff about nationalities and histories of how certain people have acted with other people, and where people come from (and everyone's feelings about it) is all completely irrelevant to the subject .
It makes me NUTS when people have to pull in all this BS and feelings and misunderstandings and everything else into threads like this when what is being discussed is so freaking simple!
i'm with you, crunch.
perhaps if people made it about the pt's needs, then they wouldn't take it so personally...
and could stop making it about themselves.
only then, could they understand what most are talking about.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I think it is one of the problems with nursing in general Leslie. They want to solve the perceived problems of the world instead of just focusing on the situation at hand.
I think it can go either way. For example, if the patient only speaks English then they would be comfortable with a nurse who speaks clear English. However, if the patient speaks spanish, he will feel comfortable with a Spanish speaking nurse. In my opinion, foreign nurses and doctors are NEEDED in the health-care field!!!! America is a very diverse country. I can speak English and Spanish. My English is very clear and sometimes at work people act like they don't understand what I'm saying. By the way, English is my first lanuguage and Spanish is my second. But I look very Hispanic so it throws people off. I think it's more of a mental thing when people act like they don't understand. Many nurses I have ever met have an accent but it's understandable accent. The patient has to be willing to understand the nurse and the nurse has to be able to explain herself clearly so that the patient can understand her. There needs to be rapport between a patient and nurse. They both have to work together for excellent results. Some people just judge others because of how they look and want nothing to do with them...just saying..
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
"Many nurses I have ever met have an accent but it's understandable accent."
Which is not an issue! The issue is when the accent is not understandable.
And English is the language of this particular country so it needs to be English here. I also study Spanish, but that is not the point. The point is the accent in this situation is apparently not understandable for the parents so a new nurse they can communicate with is required.
People living in USA and do not speak english for 5-10-20-30 years AND get mad when you dont speak their language irks me the most. Why am I getting a frown from you when you're in MY country and not able to speak MY language? Why must I cater to you?
They blame not knowing/speaking English on the fact that they have "right" to freedom and "right to health" so I am automatically responsible to learn their language?!
The entitlement attitude needs to end. Only in America. And thus, its downfall.
Ever been to the Great White North?
We're bi-lingual, officially, so you can DEMAND English or French in federal offices.
Unfortunately, we have many hypnenated-Canadians who despite being here for decades speak little to no English and expect to be met by staff who can speak their language, dialect, etc. I've been chewed out for not speaking Ukranian by a third generation Canadian, not having an Urdu intrepreter right there when needed and slapped for not speaking Arabic.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
royal prince,wow where is your country? i am very sure you dont know what
true american is. i know i have to speak out here.........
royal prince,you need to take more electives at school, and if you
have taken them i dont really think you assimilate anything.
this is america. what makes america believe it or not is not the uniqueness of anything
but many different values and cultures.
as for the patient who complained about the foreign nurses accent.
nursing or medical is not a language or idea. its skills and scientific process
with rationales. if this particular patient knows how to medically help themselves
they do not need to hire a professional at all.
by the way, isn't it through that nurses have special knowledge to care for the patient-that the family dont have and cannot perform. how is the accent affecting the care?
nurses is an art-there are many creative ways to get information across to the clients without accent being a barrier. nurses are allowed to write teachings down other than mere word of mouth that clients can forget easily.
paramount, do you know american accents can be terrible too?- just the way
many speaks so fast without proper grammar usage.
language is not what you speak, its what you can write down.
also you talk about people taking your job? - what job is yours? - you re just a joker.
american jobs doesn't belong to many anyone if you take a closer look at it.
you were just fortunate to be born here and trust me if you go out of the country
or some part of europe, you will know that speaking an american accent is not what you think
there are many intelligent, doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and engineers that don't speak
american accents but contribute immensely to this great nation.
before that is available, it's a process that had involved many foreigners too.
in the end, why are you being so selfish that at the end of your statement- that you think of
america's downfall because of this issue.
just a side note, go watch a and e (the first 48) and
learn that americans commits highest numbers of homicides in the world- this is what can lead to downfall
as population decreases with untimely death of good people.
just open your mind..................
since the subject is communication, i'll point out that written communication is essential as well . . . and this post is very poorly written.
this is america, and while we have rich and varied cultures represented by our immigrants, we have our own culture as well. i agree with royalprince. we speak english here, and if you cannot speak or understand english (especially after being here a decade or more) that is your problem, not mine. if i went to france and didn't understand french, that would be my problem. the idea that anyone should attempt to learn your language in our country is both entitled and ludicrous. that is not to say we don't welcome or value immigrants. but if someone wants to live in our country, they ought to show us enough respect to learn our language -- or at least attempt to do so.
if you were to attempt to convey your message through written communication in the clinical setting, you might find yourself being asked to clarify and re-clarify. i would hope you would do so with grace and dignity rather than excoriate the asker for being anti-american or anti-immigrant.
I speak english well and clear. However, when I mumble or talk to fast patients ask me to repeat what I said slower or louder etc etc. Why do patients and families not ask people with accents to do the same thing! I find it frustrating when I come into a patient's room and they say, "Yes, the doctor came by, but I couldn't understand a word they said because of their accent." Well then why don't you tell them that and have them repeat it. Then, if you still can't understand call someone else in who can "translate" for you. That's just my opinion.
jlpsu
144 Posts
I was with you until the Asian comment. Asians are found in many different countries who's cultures are vastly different. There are rude people everywhere, of every race, color and creed. You may not have meant it this way - but this felt a little racist to me.
Do you know that in other parts of the world we are known as the "ugly americans" because of our rudeness and self righteousness and 'all about me' attitudes? I didn't know that until I started traveling extensively out of the country - but it's true. America is not the bastion of perfect manners, believe me.
That being said, I DO believe that those working in this country (American and otherwise) should know how to speak proper English. I also believe this family has the right to hire a nurse that they can easily understand. I am just not sure that this is only relating to foreigners. I have southern friends whom I have to ask to repeat themselves, and I use venacular common in my part of the country and they are confused. We are a big melting pot, whether one likes it or not. (and I DO!) We do have to make accomodations for each other - and when I'm anywhere else I will be happy to ask someone to repeat themselves - but when dealing with medical situations for myself and my family, effective communication is critical and the risk factors if I fail to understand what is being said too great.