Would you consider this a waste of time?

I found that L&D and Mom/Baby units in clinicals had a lot of spanish speaking Americans who had limited English. It's not been too much of a problem where I work now. They did have translators on that unit. I have limited Spanish from school and it was sort of funny - only word for BM I could think of was caca.

If you're going to be working in Texas in a highly hispanic area I'd say go for it. I'm in Colorado btw.

I think it is beneficial to be able to communicate in languages in addition to English. While working in community nursing I remember going in to see a patient who did not speak English. I tried a few words of French and of Spanish and determined that he could speak Spanish. The problem was that I couldn't speak Spanish. so I started asking around trying to find interpreter. There were quite a few patients who did not speak English - Chinese and Spanish particularly, in the community where I had worked.

I'm considering taking a spanish for health professionals class at a local jr college. It's not required for my nursing school, but I was thinking that it could possibly be useful to know a second language. I'm also planning on moving back to Texas after I finish school and there is a large hispanic population in certain areas.

Have you ever ended up in a situation where any of your patients spoke very little english and you weren't able to effectively communicate? I was also wondering if knowing spanish would make me more marketable (so to speak) once I graduate.

I just thought I would use you folks as a sounding board since I can't seem to make my mind up. On one hand it seems like a great idea. On the other hand I don't want to waste time and money on a class I don't really need if I'm never going to end up actually using Spanish in the work place.

TIA for your replies. :)

I always like this riddle:

Q. What do you call some one who can speak 3 languages...

A. Trilingual

Q. What do you call some one who can speak 2 languages.

A. billingual

Q. What do you call some one who can speak 1 language...

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A. American

(how many do I speak? Sigh--after multiple attempts at different languages I regret I only speak one.)

NurseFirst

Learning a second language is never a waste of time, especially in the medical field. When I was in nursing school, we had to take an art or music class...... I would have much rather taken a Spanish class. My first job out of school, I had a patient who spoke very limited English.... Spanish was his native dialect.

In todays world of nursing, there are more people that speak Spanish (or another language) than know about Picasso or Chopin.

NO NOT a waste of time!

NO NOT a waste of time!

I agree. I took Spanish as my Humanities elective. It was a good refresher. It was also nice to use/stimulate another part of my brain for a change. I don't think any time spent learning is time wasted. JMHO:)

Yes take it

Yes it can add to your marketablity = especially if you can become fluent!

I work in L&D at a large inner city hospital where we have a large number of Hispanic clientele. I've really felt bad about my non ability to communicate. I've recently ordered a book and CD ROM called "Spanish for Midwives." Although I'm not a midwife, nor am I a nurse yet, I feel that this is mandatory for me if I want to get ahead and get a job one day on this L&D unit. I'm doing EVERYTHING that I can to make myself more marketable.

Besides, I get heart broken when a mom is going through contractions and the entire L&D process and I'm not able to help her. Hopefully this book will help me a great deal.

I don't believe it's a waste of time at all.

I agree with the other posters! Taking the Spanish class would certainly not be a waste of time and would probably add to your marketability. Would certainly be something you could add to your resume...especially in the TX area. I, myself, have sometimes wished I spoke Spanish. I took it in high school for one year, but of course do not remember a whole lot...especially enough to do an assessment on a patient. I work in a correctional facility and the INS (Immigration & Naturalization Services) have brought in Hispanic detainees before and knowing Spanish really would have helped in doing the Intake screening. Ideally, one of the transporting officers is to stay and help translate, but does not ever happen, so you do the best you can. In fact, one time we had another inmate already at the jail that spoke fluent Spanish and so they actually had him translate for us since we had like 20 detainees to screen! And I live in Central WV! So, I am sure the course would benefit you if you plan on living and nursing anywhere on the southern coast of US! :)