I am an RN working on my BSN-MSN course in Ohio @Kent State. I'm interested in learning about transcultural nursing. What is a certified transcultural nurse, how do you go about getting certified and what precisely do they do/function? How do you incorporate this/ educate awareness into hospital nursing? I've been looking for medical spanish courses in my area(Stark county Ohio) and there are'nt any beyond Kent basic spanish courses, simple community ed, and the hospital offers a one day Crash course to be a volunteer interpreter but I can't believe that one day could do it.(more to a language then words, its a culture and philosophy.) My girlfriend is from Peru and does some medical records translation and goes to Honduras annually to help interpret and teach respitaory therapist vent care. I'm very interested in maybe doing something similiar upon graduation. (I need more cardio-vasc/critical care experience.)Any direction/ advice would be helpful. Thanks, Veronica

-- veronica obrien (vobrien@kent.edu), February 01, 2004

Answers

Greetings Veronica,

What is a certified transcultural nurse, how do you go about getting certified and what precisely do they do/function? The following sites can begin to answer your questions ...

http://www.tcns.org/menu/menu5.shtml http://www.culturediversity.org

- and the hospital offers a one day Crash course to be a volunteer interpreter ... This to me would be of great concern, highly irresponsible and dangerous, not to mention a great disservice for both medical staff and their patients. As you state there is much more to translation than mere words. The potential for miscommunication leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment would be evident. The interpretation of a language is a skill learned after a basic fluency in the language has been attained. To become a proficient interpreter an additional learning period of several years, preferably in a formal interpreter program.

A basic Spanish course would be a good start for you, and having friends who speak the language can also be used to your advantage. Why not ask them to speak Spanish with you ? Are there persons learning English that you can be of mutual aid ? The best way to learn a language is by emersion, the more one communicates with a native user of the language, the more fluent one becomes. Associate with Latino people, carry on conversations, attend their social events and you will find your communication skills improving rapidly.

-- Victor F. (victor@culturediversity.org), February 03, 2004.