Spanish for nurses

[cjmue12]

I am trying to find some good info on #1 Spanish medial terminology for nurses, and #2 how todevelop a self study type of program so we can learn some basic spansih to provide better care to spanish onlu speaking patients. What my goal is, is to develop some type of self study program and offer it to the SICU where I work and eventually open it to the entire hospital. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Jabramac]

I decided to take to start learning Spanish about 4 months ago. I used Pimslers audio CD's while driving in my car that I rented at the library. I also discosvered that my county library web site offered free access to Rosetta Stone online to library cardholders. This is about a $300 value, and, fyi, if you can get free access through your library Rosetta Stone offers many languages. Perhaps if your library does not offer this then your employer could look into purchasing it.

After listening to a handful of CD's and working through a chunk of Rosetta Stone I found that Concordia Language Villages (a camp run by Concordia College) started offering a Spanish for health care workers immersion weekend program. I did this and I was amazed at hoe much I already could understand from my previous work, and how rapdly I learned more. In fact, I loved it so much the administration talked me into coming back and working as a camp nurse for a high school session. I am going to do that in a week here. They have camps mainly in MN, I think possibly NY, and one in Georgia.

What I learned is that the self study portion was wonderful to create a base for vocabulary, but having a group to converse with is the most helpful. I think it would be great to have a "Spanish club" at work that meets over dinner once a week or so just to practice.

Good luck, let us know what you develop.

[lovejana22]

i love rosetta stone.... i am learning spanish with that and my sister learned german on it. she loves it as well, imo it is easier to follow along than other programs. i plan also to learn other languages through them as well.

[KR]

cjmue-I just got a con ed book that has spanish for nurses material in it that u can order, a book, test, and audio tapes. I will check and see if I can find it and get back to you!

[rn/writer, RN]

Great to want to learn to do a better job of communicating with your Spanish patients. I have several do-it-yourself programs and may look into Rosetta Stone as well.

One important caution. Please keep in mind that there are certain things for which you absolutely dare not rely on your knowledge of another language unless you are truly fluent. Examples would be med teaching, circ permits (not usually done with Hispanic babies, but applies to other nationalities), discharge teaching, and other matters which require decision making or involve instruction. Use a certified interpreter or the language line or some other reliable form of communication to protect both you and your patient. You would feel terrible to find out that you patient had not correctly understood instructions and that the gap caused problems.

This is for your protection as well. If you cannot demonstrate proficiency in another language, don't use it in any crucial situation, or you could be pegged as the cause of any misunderstanding that arises. Even if you were certain that your patient understood you at the time.

That said, it really is helpful to be able to assist your patient with ADLs, ordering meals, and the million other practical matters that come up every day. It's also a good, mind-stretching experience to learn to speak another language.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

A lot of schools are now offering "Spanish for Health Professionals" or a similar class. You may want to see if yours offers it: it's usually listed under the Spanish department, not nursing or healthcare.

[cjmue12]

Great to want to learn to do a better job of communicating with your Spanish patients. I have several do-it-yourself programs and may look into Rosetta Stone as well.

One important caution. Please keep in mind that there are certain things for which you absolutely dare not rely on your knowledge of another language unless you are truly fluent. Examples would be med teaching, circ permits (not usually done with Hispanic babies, but applies to other nationalities), discharge teaching, and other matters which require decision making or involve instruction. Use a certified interpreter or the language line or some other reliable form of communication to protect both you and your patient. You would feel terrible to find out that you patient had not correctly understood instructions and that the gap caused problems.

This is for your protection as well. If you cannot demonstrate proficiency in another language, don't use it in any crucial situation, or you could be pegged as the cause of any misunderstanding that arises. Even if you were certain that your patient understood you at the time.

That said, it really is helpful to be able to assist your patient with ADLs, ordering meals, and the million other practical matters that come up every day. It's also a good, mind-stretching experience to learn to speak another language.

We do have some interpreters in the hospital you can call for consents etc. However when all you want to do is say "I am going to listen to you lungs, or are you having pain, i think the basics will be fine. We are in the SICU, and have many on the vent sedated, so if a patient is even a little coherent thety are most likely scared too and we can calm and coffort them if we can speak their language. Discharge planning and other things are done with fluent speaking staff.

[cjmue12]

cjmue-I just got a con ed book that has spanish for nurses material in it that u can order, a book, test, and audio tapes. I will check and see if I can find it and get back to you!

That would be great!!

[rn/writer, RN]

We do have some interpreters in the hospital you can call for consents etc. However when all you want to do is say "I am going to listen to you lungs, or are you having pain, i think the basics will be fine. We are in the SICU, and have many on the vent sedated, so if a patient is even a little coherent thety are most likely scared too and we can calm and coffort them if we can speak their language. Discharge planning and other things are done with fluent speaking staff.

I couldn't agree more. The ability to assist with ADLs, and even more important, to offer reassurance and comfort, is a kndness not soon forgetten. Like a cup of cool water on a hot day. Bless you for wanting to give it.