Spanish for Healthcare Workers

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I was wondering how many of you are working on a second language, or have been impeded on the job due to language barriers? The phlebotomist I was working with today relayed some life-saving information from the family to an OB nurse, and we just happened to be there at the right time. I couldn't help but wonder what might have happened had she not been there to translate for the family? I have had a 'small voice' urging me to take Spanish for healthcare workers, but have been so busy with pre-nursing prerequisites I've not made it a priority. I really wish I knew even a little Spanish, since 1/2 the patients I met today spoke little or no English.

Once I make it through the gruesome task of nursing school, I plan to take some time off & then take some Spanish classes. You never know when you might need it!

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Thanks EyesForward:p

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Where do you get paid more just for being bilingual.. I have not seen any extra money for that!! Please, let me know.

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Specializes in NICU.

Even if you CAN'T pronounce the words correctly, the effort may be more important than the result! Get thee to the bookstore, pronto. I have three things here at the house: The first two are simply books, the third a book with tapes I listen to in the car. It might help others in Med/Surg or clinic nursing, or even the ER. Lots of phrases, like Does it hurt? and helpful little things like that.

1) Medical Spanish (by Gail L. Bongiovanni)

2) Barron's Spanish for Healthcare Professionals (by Harvey)

3) Barron's Outreach Spanish (also by Harvey, comes with cassette tapes for the car).

Even if you NEVER SPEAK A WORD OF SPANISH OUT LOUD, these would enable you to make flashcards to carry with you- if you can't speak it, you can at least SHOW the phrase to the patient so they understand who you are and what you're going to do, or what you're asking of them. This is what I did, and it's been helpful.

I highly recommend the third book, because of the cassette tapes, but the other two are excellent, and between the three of these, my ability to communicate with my Spanish speaking patients is increased ten-thousand-fold. :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Wendy, according to the second book:

Good morning!

Buenos dias!

My name is Wendy.

Me llamo Wendy.

Do you speak English?

Habla usted ingles?

I'm learning Spanish.

Estoy aprendiendo el Espanol.

I speak a little Spanish.

Habla poquito Espanol.

I'm sorry.

Lo siento.

I don't understand.

No entiendo.

What is your name?

Como se llama?

Nice to meet you!

Mucho gusto!

Congratulations!

Felicitaciones!

(If the baby's in the room, you can say:)

Es muy bonita! (for a girl) or Es muy bonito! (for a boy)

You need a blood test.

Necisita un examen de sangre.

or

Necisita una preuba de sangre.

We are going to draw a little blood from your vein.

Vamos a sacar un poco de sangre du su vena.

Ready?

Listos?

and

Thank you very much.

Muchos gracias.

Have a nice day!

Que le vaya bien!

Have you had parasites in your stool?

Ha tenido parasitos en el excremento?

Just kidding with that last one. :D

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I don't know, but for me, I don't care if I can get more money for speak Spanish. Is very frustrating when you go to the hospital and anybody understand you. When I went to the Hospital the first time my english was so limited, nobody understood me and I start to cry. Now I want to help other people, so they can be confortable when they go to the hospital. I need to improve my english, but I'm learning more everyday.

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I had a patient once who did not speak or understand English. All of the nurses on the floor did not speak spanish. As a result she was not treated the same as the other patients. I greatly feel that in todays world there should be some nurses who can speak spanish.

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NICU_Nurse, cool post. Thanks! I especially laughed at the last one, but doubt I will use it on the floor. :chuckle

The others I have already started to memorize. Thanks again! BTW, I ordered the Essential Spanish for Healthcare Workers tapes/book from Amazon.com. Can't wait to get it and start my lessons every day during the am and pm commute.

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Specializes in NICU.

If you find that that book/tape has a big section on Ob/NICU, would you let me know? Thanks!

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EyesForward, how much did those books/tapes cost at amazon. I just received a Nuses Station magazine in the mail yesterday and it has the same program for $35. I am going to order it but if it's cheaper at Amazon, I will go that route. This mag has lots of good stuff for nurses, CNA, LPN, EMT & RN. They also have a website if anyone is interested. http://www.nursesdirect.com, Have a blessed day all!

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Hi Roxie,

It was $24.50, with free shipping if you spend $25.00 on 'free shipping eligible' merchandise, so naturally I found something else I wanted too. :D

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