The nurse, functioning in the role of charge nurse for this shift, is working on a surgical unit with great cultural diversity among the staff

Question

When the nurse overhears two staff members conversing in their native language, the best action would be to: 1. Reprimand the staff members for speaking in a foreign language.
2. Request the staff not speak in a foreign language in the client care area.
3. Attempt to learn a few words in their language.
4. Inform the supervisor of the staff's unprofessional behavior.

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Many facilities have policies instructing staff not to speak between themselves in a foreign language in client areas because it makes clients, visitors, and other staff members feel uncomfortable and excluded. The nurse should request the staff members not speak in a foreign language while in a client care area. The charge nurse does not need to reprimand the staff or inform the supervisor unless the behavior is a repetitive problem or the staff does not respond to the request. While learning a foreign language can be very helpful for nurses caring for large populations of clients who speak a different language, this is neither the time nor the place to begin studying a new language.