Spanish

Published

Hi,

I am still a student nurse, currently living in Virginia, but would like to move back to New Mexico after passing the NCLEX (I am from Santa Fe.) I do not speak Spanish, but I realize that would be important to know wome basics and especially nursing assessment questions in Spanish and was wondering if anyone has any advice for me about how I can go about learning it? Are there any good audio programs or something specifically for nursing? Also, is it really hard for new grads to find jobs in NM right now? I'm willing to move anywhere near Santa Fe or Albuquerque (like within 1 hour commute from either place.) Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Rosetta Stone is a great program to help you learn spanish quickly, but it is a little expensive. Watching children's shows on the spanish channels can help if you know some spanish already. If you have friends that speak spanish that will help with conversation. It takes a while to be conversational especially when you live in an area where english is the main language. Just be patient and practice as much as possible.

I hope this helps.

deAnna

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks deAnna, I'll look into that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

there are also some books at Barnes & Noble that focus on medical spanish- in the medical section where you'd buy your nursing books. i've been meaning to pick one up. i'm not sure if it's just a dictionary, tho. i can make conversation in spanish but there are some things (medical terms) that courses and books won't teach you. once you get back to NM, it'll probably be easier for you to learn and pick up things in the workplace.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Flight.

Music always helps reinforce language learning. I use a lot of music with my Hebrew students. Try and find some music where the lyrics are fairly straightforward and well enunciated. Maybe children's songs. You can listen in the kitchen or the car. Just getting your ear aculturated helps.

Are you planning on working here in Santa Fe?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nurse.

greenfaery....

...rosetta stone is very expensive!!!...

once you determine the resource you plan to use (books, audio, etc.) also consider cds that you can play in your vehicle. as someone else commented, watch/listen to any spanish television stations in your area. don't limit yourself to just the children's shows. there are many shows (oprah-type, soap operas, comedies, drama, etc.) that you can watch. watching these will help you to recall words/phrases; especially if you are not in an area where you have spanish speaking people/friends to communicate with. don't expect to understand "everything" you hear on the tv; just try to be able to get the "basics" of what is being discussed. in time, you will be able to recall more and more of the conversations.

good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
greenfaery....

...rosetta stone is very expensive!!!...

once you determine the resource you plan to use (books, audio, etc.) also consider cds that you can play in your vehicle. as someone else commented, watch/listen to any spanish television stations in your area. don't limit yourself to just the children's shows. there are many shows (oprah-type, soap operas, comedies, drama, etc.) that you can watch. watching these will help you to recall words/phrases; especially if you are not in an area where you have spanish speaking people/friends to communicate with. don't expect to understand "everything" you hear on the tv; just try to be able to get the "basics" of what is being discussed. in time, you will be able to recall more and more of the conversations.

good luck!

i have a friend in the military who hooked me up with rosetta stone and unfortunately it isn't really working well for me. i think i'll go with book/audio stuff instead. glad i didn't spend the money, it was like $500 on amazon!!! and hey, i've got hbo in spanish, so i'm set.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Music always helps reinforce language learning. I use a lot of music with my Hebrew students. Try and find some music where the lyrics are fairly straightforward and well enunciated. Maybe children's songs. You can listen in the kitchen or the car. Just getting your ear aculturated helps.

Are you planning on working here in Santa Fe?

Thanks Medic09! I would love to work in Santa Fe, I am very homesick. But I am willing to go wherever I find a job. Do you know how the new grad job market is there now?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nurse.

Greenfaery:

What hospitals are in the Santa Fe area? When I checked the Agapa website it shows only Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center which is a 268-bed, Level III Trauma facility.

I am also looking to move to New Mexico by the end of next year. I am looking at the Albuquerque area; however, now I may have to change my mind because Albuquerque seems to be saturated with universities/colleges so there may be too many nurses/new grad nurses looking for jobs.

If you are not too busy, I would love to communicate with you via email. I have some questions about the Santa Fe, Albuquerque areas as well as other areas (southern end) in New Mexico. I question the commute time between some smaller cities to/from Albequerque and Sante Fe. Since you are from Santa Fe, your opinions about the area would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Flight.

Afraid I have no idea about the job market here. That may not even be relevant anymore, going by the age of this thread.

St. Vincent is really the only game in Santa Fe. There is a teeny private surgery facility which doesn't count. There is also PHS (Public Health Service aka Indian Hospital) which doesn't really count.

Albuquerque has a handful of pretty busy hospitals.

The commute from SF to ABQ is about an hour. A bit more to get where you're actually going. Fortunately, hospital shifts don't coincide with rush hours in many cases. Rush hour in ABQ is tortuous, but lasts only an hour. From my home in SF to my flight job on the south end of town by the airport typically takes me an hour door to door.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

IHS Loan Replacement will guarantee you a position in Santa Fe (indian hospital), Gallup, or Northern Navajo medical center) There are a few more in the state that are also on the high priority list. Anywho Santa fe's hospital is smaller (39 beds) while Gallup has 99 and NNavajo 55. I am considering these options from Oregon so I thought I'd share my findings hope it helps...oh yeah IHS pays up to $20,000per year with a 2year min so $40,000 is not bad if your in debt. Housing is not included in Santa Fe as far as I know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the info Pablodog. Do you happen to have a link or something for this? I appreciate it. I thought about IHS but I haven't had very good info about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion