Turned Down and My Position Given to a "Me Speaka No"

[WoofyMutt80]

Hi Everyone,

I am trying not to offend those who come to this country to work hard and learn the English language. Please tell me if this is borderline discrimination or something else!

I am a CNA/HHA/Medical Assistant and I attended a job fair 2 weeks ago at a very reputable skilled nursing hospital. I am not being biased but I was the only English speaking person there. There were applicants, internal and external who BROUGHT INTERPRETERS to help fill out the application, and I-9 form, one had her son, who had to be all of 10 years old, interpret during the interview. First of all, how could the internal applicants work there if they told me, when I asked where the elevators were "Me Speaka No English". Second, this company should have seen the red flags if these people had interpreters. HELLO! Are these people going to bring their interpreters on the floor? No way because of HIPAA! Well I got interviewed and they didnt like my gap in employment (I had a medical reasons that are resolved now). I got a rejection letter the other day saying how they are going to look for other qualified candidates. I am a CNA going on 3 years with Alzheimers, LTC, Skilled, Acute care under my belt. Well I am glad I didnt get hired cuz I would have had a hell of time with the language barrier.

Please give me your feedback, I dunno if I should report this to the higher ups of this place.

Thanks!

[araujojr]

This reply just seems a little backwards to me. First of all if these people are so worried about getting swept up in American culture, why move here? If an American moved to France and refused to learn the language, he/she would be seen as arrogant for his refusal or ignorant. Because a non-American does it, it is just them choosing not to for the sake of preserving their heritage--what a load of crap. I am so sick of the double standard. We have gotten so politically correct in this country that the only people who are allowed to have a point of view are the "underdogs". If I was living in a foreign country, I would make it my business to learn the language.

Maybe these Spanish speaking people lack sensitivity to our culture. They obviously don't care enough to learn the language.

RIGHT ON!!!!

[araujojr]

sorry jdcurly, totally disagree.....i believe that if immigrants/future citizens want to come to this country (especially work here!) they should at least TRY to learn the english language..if someone doesent like the culture here go back home..that is like me saying "i am moving to italy but i will never learn an italian word and never eat pizza just because i dont like their culture but i totally want to live there".and it is not fair for the citizens who do work here, that should not have to know any other language than english, get discriminated all the time (obviously besides for translator jobs) and get turned down......i see it all the time...no wonder why our economy sucks!! but of coorifice, if it was me going to another country and i choose not to learn their language i would get discriminated like crazy!!!!

Basically, you're saying that the economy sucks because of "immigrants," DO SOME RESEARCH!!! From my understanding this country should belong to the Native Americans who were conquered by the "immigrants." As a side note, this is a great country, I was born and raised in Miami, Fl. I do understand there is a large population of Hispanics. However, many who don't speak Spanish are the older population i.e the Cuban grannies. If you go to certain places such as little Havana you would encounter a lot of people who only speak Spanish. The same goes if you go to china town in n.y. (Chinese) If you go to south beach, everyone speaks english. South Florida is so diverse and that's what's so great about it ( Argentinians, Brazilians, etc...) Whats the harm in that? Seriously, people need to stop being so judgmental and brace the diversity. What do they teach us in Nursing School? Don't like it leave the profession!.

What exactly is the American culture?

[caliotter3]

Your personal opinion aside, if you are working as an RN, you are getting paid to be culturally sensitive. So if the almighty dollar is what is forcing you, maybe you are in the wrong career.

How dare you take my comment about me being insulted by coworkers hiding behind a language to imply that I am in the wrong career. I said not one word about the almighty dollar. And cultural sensitivity is not the same thing as letting others trample a person's dignity. Which is exactly the point I was making. You make my point for me. I have never, and will never, say anything to anybody who chooses to act in such a boorish manner. They can insult me to their heart's content. That does not make it right. I think you are trying to make the wrong person "culturally insensitive".

[caliotter3]

Coworkers can insult me in any language they please. What is sickening is the "cultural sensitivity" they show when they treat the patients in this manner, both in English and their "superior" language. They are not paid to insult, neglect, and mistreat patients, but the employers who allow this seem to think so.

[araujojr]

Coworkers can insult me in any language they please. What is sickening is the "cultural sensitivity" they show when they treat the patients in this manner, both in English and their "superior" language. They are not paid to insult, neglect, and mistreat patients, but the employers who allow this seem to think so.[/quote

Let me say, I"m sure many patients get mistreated by the "Gringas" Nurses too. My point either way you can get mistreated by ANYONE !!! doesn't matter what culture you are from.

[VegRN]

What exactly is the American culture?

Well, if you are wondering what it is then it would be a good idea to learn more about it in order to become more culturally sensitive so that you can provide more culturally competent care.

And to the person that said there is no official language in the US? Well, what language are the standard government documents and the money printed in? That should give you a pretty big clue as to what the official language is.

Sorry, if you move to a country, you should learn the native tongue. Doesn't mean you have to give up your own. In ANY other country, it would be expected to try to learn the language but again, we are so PC here that we can't expect that.

[araujojr]

Well, if you don't know what it is then maybe you should read a book about it to become more culturally sensitive it in order to better take care of your american clients.

And to the person that said there is no official language in the US? Well, what language are the standard government documents and the money printed in? That should give you a pretty big clue as to what the official language is.

Sorry, if you move to a country, you should learn the native tongue. Doesn't mean you have to give up your own. In ANY other country, it would be expected to try to learn the language but again, we are so PC here that we can't expect that.

Why don't you tell me. I know the history, I was born and raised here. I want to hear from others on what they believe is the "American Culture"....

[Sun_danc3rRN]

Well, if you don't know what it is then maybe you should read a book about it to become more culturally sensitive it in order to better take care of your american clients.

And to the person that said there is no official language in the US? Well, what language are the standard government documents and the money printed in? That should give you a pretty big clue as to what the official language is.

Sorry, if you move to a country, you should learn the native tongue. Doesn't mean you have to give up your own. In ANY other country, it would be expected to try to learn the language but again, we are so PC here that we can't expect that.

Inform yourself before you speak. There is NO official language for the US. There is only a commonly used language. If the US had been INVADED by TURKS first what would be the "official language" then?

[araujojr]

Doesn't anyone think that the "American Culture" is a culture that has evolve because of all the rest of the cultures?

[Sun_danc3rRN]

How dare you take my comment about me being insulted by coworkers hiding behind a language to imply that I am in the wrong career. I said not one word about the almighty dollar. And cultural sensitivity is not the same thing as letting others trample a person's dignity. Which is exactly the point I was making. You make my point for me. I have never, and will never, say anything to anybody who chooses to act in such a boorish manner. They can insult me to their heart's content. That does not make it right. I think you are trying to make the wrong person "culturally insensitive".

I dare take your own words that you stated that "I am forced to be "culturally sensitive". Hogwash!" I personally took that to mean that because of your need for money, the almight dollar forces you to be culturally sensitive. If this is not the case and you have NO problem being culturally sensitive, then please accept my apologies. As I stated before, if it is the case of the almighty dollar forcing you than maybe nursing is not for you. I stand by that statement for anyone who feels the way you apparently do.

[araujojr]

I think we might need the mods .... LOL It's getting HOT!!!!

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

I am also a person who understands a language other than English and I never let on. I am not to be offended when the predominant language is used to denigrate, insult, and humiliate me? Oh, no. I am forced to be "culturally sensitive". Hogwash!

Why don't you just call them out on it? Then they can talk about you and whomever else is their target for the day just like everyone else's English-speaking coworkers do, like on smoke breaks, in the med room, in the break room, or while transferring patients.