What if English is not my first language?

dream'n, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2008

Please, help!
I've just applied for the nursing programms, and been waiting, but I really worried about my language barrier because English is my third language. Being a nurse is my dream, and I am trying to achieve it. I did well at school while I took my prereq, but I do not know how am I going to do in programm, and most important at work. Am I going to be able to deal with my job if I am not a native speaker?

Well it appears that you use written English very well. As long as you understand and can be clearly understood in English I don't think you will have a problem. You will probably find that being multi-lingual will help you and not hurt you. You will be able to communicate with patients that speak languages other than English and that will be a great tool for you.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Nov 10, 2008

Third language? Color me impressed. I agree that your written English is fine. If you can understand your professors and your patients can understand you, you should be fine.

rn/writer, RN · Nov 10, 2008

Just out of curiosity, what are your first two languages?

If you are concerned, try to find opportunities where you can speak and write English and get some positive feedback. The more you use English in conversation, the more comfortable you will feel.

One other consideration--accent. If you have connections with native English speakers, ask them to evaluate how easy it is to understand you. Most polite people would not volunteer this information if you didn't give them permission. What you say might be correct in form, but if you have a heavy accent, it could still be difficult to understand.

Another suggestion--watch English/American TV. This is a great way to learn idiomatic usage--the way folks speak in normal conversation as opposed to textbook language. This is the way to pick up slang and everyday speech that is normal but not necessarily proper.

I once spoke with a patient's spouse who had been in the US for only a few years. He spoke very good English. I asked how long he had studied before arriving here. He said he hadn't studied at all. Once here, he had made himself watch TV for several hours a day and that was his language tutorial. Amazing.

Your written communication certainly is adequate. Seems like you should do well if you're already bilingual. You have exercised the parts of the brain that serve language acquisition, and that should make additional languages easier.

You have my admiration for being tri-lingual.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2008

English isn't my "native" tongue either (technically it's my 'third tongue' too).

If an idiot like me can hack it - and judging from your first post - I'm sure you'll do just fine :)

Miranda makes some great suggestions - specially the "find opportunities where you can speak and write English and get some positive feedback. The more you use English in conversation, the more comfortable you will feel" bit.

cheers,

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Nov 10, 2008

I'm finding more and more jobs that require applicants to be bilingual. You will have a big head start on others due to being tirlingual. Good luck in school.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Nov 10, 2008

at the hospital where i work they hold classes for foreign speaking nurses and also foreign trained nurses..... it's 2 hours a month or something like that.....

Neveranurseagain, RN · Nov 10, 2008

You might meet with a speech therapist or lingual specialist. They will be able to objectively assess your accent and patterns of speech. They can give you training to decrease your accent as well as helping you with clearer speech. It may cost a few bucks but will be well worth it.

rn/writer, RN · Nov 10, 2008

Just wanted to add that I don't think having an accent is necessarily a problem. Many people, myself among them, find accents interesting. They can make the English language sound positively lyrical.

Sometimes, however, if the accent is particularly strong, it can make the speaker hard to understand. The goal should be to tame the accent enough to be able to communicate effectively, not to eliminate it entirely.

If you have a chance to connect with native English speakers, they ought to be able to tell you if this is something you need to be concerned about or not. It could be that your spoken English is fine as it is.

uscstu4lfe · Nov 10, 2008

your english is just fine! just from reading it, you would think it's your first, but you say it's your third, so wow!! good job!!

caliotter3 · Nov 10, 2008

Welcome to the site. You will probably be ok if you were able to get through the prerequisites. And don't worry about the job now. If you are really concerned, could you look into finding a tutor for English? Just a thought, if you have that much anxiety about it. I tend to think you will do ok though because you have done well so far. And the job is too far away to worry about. You can expect to be able to ask questions until you understand on the job and chances of having someone who speaks a language you are more comfortable with, are high. Just go forward with confidence and hard work and you will do ok. Find a tutor now if your reservations are high. Good luck to you.

futuredream · Nov 11, 2008

I highly appreciate all your feedback. I am glad that I've found such a nice site and gotten such positives replies. However, it is always easier to write then to speak. Someone was interested about my other languages. I am originnaly from Turkey, but rest of my life used to live in Russia. My family and I came to U.S almost three years ago as refuggees from Russia. Since then ,I am truying to learn a new language and get an education, which I was not able to do before. You all are right I need more practice, so I can get a little more confidence. I wish I could watch TV more, but I go to school, work and also have two kids, so have no time. However, I am grateful to this country for giving me an opportunity to rich my goal of being educated, and becomming a nurse. Thank you all