Why is this PC bullcrap prioritized above people's lives?

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

I work in a school that trains CNAs. We have an equal-opportunity policy. Whether you have a PhD or whether you didn't finish middle school, everyone takes a simple math and reading comprehension test. It's my job to give the test and explain it.

One day, a Chinese lady who spoke very little English and her helicopter daughter came in. I gave the lady the test and explained it slowly and carefully. I kept asking her if she understood, and at the end I told her that she could tell me if she had any problems. She nodded yes every time, and I made sure that she understood it. She didn't pass the test. IN fact, despite my explaining of the written instructions, she answered the questions in the wrong way. She took it again, and once again didn't pass. I had to break the news that she had not passed, and started to suggest buying a TOEFL guide or something to help her with her English.

The helicopter daughter told me that I was rude to her mother. She said that I should have helped her out with the test, and that a future nurse like me should be compassionate. I started to tell her that communication is key in the healthcare field, that a small delay could mean life or death, and that my compassion lies with the patients who will be cared for by the healthcare staff who we train. The daughter told me that I was racist, and that we should give her mother a chance because, "Well, she's going to try a lot harder because she doesn't speak as much English, so she's going to make a lot more effort." Why the hell does that remind me of schoolchildrens' parents whining, "Little Johnny is really a genius, you just have to go at his pace. He gets bored in class, and it's your responsibility to make it fun for him to learn." She was also mad that I didn't explain the test in Chinese (I speak a bit of Mandarin) even though the test and class are taught in English. I am all for helping, but it would be called cheating if I helped her out with the test problem by problem.

Her daughter went to another person and complained about me. Her mother took the test again, this time someone sat beside her and basically took the test for her! Not only was she allowed to enroll, but her daughter was allowed to enroll alongside her to translate. WHAT!? When she gets a job, is she going to have a translator alongside her to help her with her job? I hope that this woman does not pass the state boards, although she probably will because I know that she'll pull the, "I deserve special treatment," card.

Note: I AM NOT RACIST OR CULTURALLY INTOLERANT. If you are a qualified person who can effectively be a good member of the healthcare team, then I don't care if you're from Mars. However, if you don' have the qualification, can't communicate with others, and passed on being babied along rather than actual work, then forget it. Please don't accuse me of being racist. In fact, I've been in this woman's shoes. A few years ago, I studied abroad in China for a semester, and actually considered staying there. In order to enter the university, I had to pass the international student entrance exam. My Mandarin was nowhere nearly good enough so I did not pass. I could have whined that they should have helped me out, that the test was unfair, that I could do really well if given a chance, etc. However, I sucked it up and took personal responsibility because it was my own durn fault that I wasn't qualified. In the healthcare field, an unqualified person could mean life or death. Ever read The Godfather? While Micheal Corleone was in Italy, he was hosted by a doctor. The doc admitted that he didn't understand his medical textbooks, but the mob made sure that he became a doctor anyway. That's basically what this woman will be.

I later spoke to the school administrator about this and she said, "I don't like it either, but I'm trying to run a business. If rumors get spread that I'm culturally intolerant or un-PC, I'm going to lose a ton of potential students." I understand that. Half the office staff is foreign, and a lot of them were mad as well, because they came over here and had to work their butts off.

I have such a newfound appreciation for the fact that they weed out a good percentage of nursing students.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

It is ridiculous. I have nothing against immigrants. However, you HAVE to be able to speak English in order to work in a health care system properly. I see international nurses every day who do NOT have a good command of the English language and wonder how they took the U.S. boards if they cannot speak common English????

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Speaking of speaking English: what is a helicopter daughter?

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

I too have nothing against people who come here for a better life. However, they shouldn't feel entitled to having jobs that they are not qualified to do. I really feel sorry for the people who went to universities in their home countries but have to start from scratch over here, and I have no doubt that they are smart. However, communication is crucial.

What really scared me was the other day, when a local hospital sent over a bunch of their employees to be trained as CNAs. They have previously worked as PCTs or something similar. It scared the crap out of me that these people, who were both uncertified AND spoke almost no English, were able to get jobs. I can kind of understand the Spanish-speaking ones being able to get jobs, as so many people speak Spanish down here. However,there were others who spoke not-so-common languages like Korean. Lord knows how they communicated on the job.

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.
Speaking of speaking English: what is a helicopter daughter?

A helicopter parent is a parent who is disgustingly involved in his/her kid's life. You know, the parents who are always chewing out the teachers for their kids' bad grades, the ones who tag along to their kids' job interviews when they grow up, etc. Teachers hate them.

The helicopter daughter was basically overseeing everything that went on with her mom, even taking the class alongside her to translate the lectures.

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

helicopter=one who hovers. I have usually heard it applied to parents who are way too involved with their kid's school.

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A helicopter parent is a parent who is disgustingly involved in his/her kid's life. You know, the parents who are always chewing out the teachers for their kids' bad grades, the ones who tag along to their kids' job interviews when they grow up, etc. Teachers hate them.

The helicopter daughter was basically overseeing everything that went on with her mom, even taking the class alongside her to translate the lectures.

Thanks, that clears it up. I think I used to have a "helicopter boss.":idea:

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Specializes in long term care.
Thanks, that clears it up. I think I used to have a "helicopter boss.":idea:

LOL! I've had those too!!

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helicopter=one who hovers. I have usually heard it applied to parents who are way too involved with their kid's school.

Too involved? Sorry, but I will be 100,000 % involved in my childrens' lives. Just because someone is a teacher, does not mean that that person can be trusted totally. Teachers are human, fallible, and put their pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us.

As for the OP's question of "why", OP, you answered it your self. MONEY

I share your upset, believe me. Why bother with the test at all? Hopefully, the Chinese woman will learn English as she goes or she will fail Boards.

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I guess if you don't speak English you should just get an automatic passing grade. Sheesh. I think you tried to do the right thing, sorry it didn't work out. I can't imagine that she will be able to hold a job, but then I'm always being surprised and the substandard situation at hospitals....

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No way should the person pass if she cannot communicate in the language which the majority of her patients will speak. She may be a lovely lady, but she should take an English class first. I was just chuckling about the possibility of mid-air collisions between helicopter parents. My daughter went to her nursing school orientation and was one of the few who did not have mommy in tow. I thought the orientation was for her. When I went to mine, I did not take my mom, nor did any of my classmates. It didn't say in her letter to bring a parent, though most did (or even a spouse if they were older students). It is funny how the world has changed in the past 20 years. I think we really need to protect our kids, but it comes to a point where we also need to let them make a few mistakes, which is very hard to do. Maybe w/ this Chinese lady, everyday will be "take your daughter to work day", just so she can get through the day!

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Just confused by the OP-you said it was a CNA school, then you mention her passing her state boards...? I could quite possibly be missing something. :)

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