Nurse’s English-Only Suit

I read “U.S. Supports Nurse in English-Only Suit” (Part B, April 3). I have been a nurse for 25 years, served in Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines while in the Air Force. If I were to have worked as a nurse in any of these countries, I would indeed have been expected to speak the language of the country while at work. On my breaks off the floor and at home, I would speak whatever language was native to me.

I work with a predominately English-speaking geriatric patient population, and have hired many foreign-born nurses, who when hired understand that while preforming patient care and working with the supportive staff they must speak English, so as not to confuse either the patients or staff. If the patient is foreign speaking, his own language would be preferred to help him understand and cooperate with nursing care. Unfortunately, many nurses tend to forget and start speaking their native language on the nursing floor. Occasionally some nurses are very critical of other staff or administration right in front of them.

I have no problem with nurses speaking their own languages on breaks off the nursing floor. But out of respect for the patient population, speak the language that the patient speaks (while working).

JOHN KIMBALL

Long Beach