The U.S. has a diverse population that is expected to continue to grow more diverse in the next half century. Because of these demographic trends, a greater percentage of patients nurses are helping may speak a language other than English. Given the importance of communication, nurses are finding that a second language can help them excel in their nursing careers.
While the call for bilingual nurses is building traction, the call for well-qualified and well-educated nurses has been consistent. The online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) helps educate nurses to develop important skills and improve patient outcomes.
Changing Demographics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the nation’s population is expected to become much more racially and ethnically diverse in the coming years. Based on the 2020 American Community Survey, 21.7% of households speak languages other than English today, a figure expected to rise. Hispanic and Asian-American populations, specifically, are set to grow significantly in the next decade.
Call for Bilingual Nurses
The current demographic data and projected changes may have a substantial impact on the delivery of healthcare. The ability to maintain clear and consistent communication with a patient is key to providing personalized, high-quality care. Nurses are often the main communicators with patients, serving as the facilitators between family, caregivers, physicians and other healthcare providers.
Speaking the same language as patients is imperative to ensuring providers obtain critical information. It is as vital that nurses can relay information back to the patient. Furthermore, nurses with similar cultural backgrounds are typically better positioned to provide culturally competent care. Such care often leads to improved patient outcomes and has become a fast-growing initiative throughout the healthcare community.
With a projection of nearly three out of every five patients belonging to a minority group in the future, the need for nurses — particularly Spanish-speakers and those who speak Asian languages — is anticipated to rise in response. Nurses who are not bilingual may find it worthwhile to incorporate language studies into their existing degree programs. Once fluent in a second language, nurses may realize several advantages. For example, nursing career and leadership opportunities may become more abundant.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities, particularly those in and around highly diverse communities, may specifically recruit bilingual nurses. In some instances, healthcare facilities may offer sign-on bonuses, increased hourly wages or more flexible work schedules as incentives to nurses who understand the cultural background and speak one of the community’s prominent languages.
Career opportunities may also be even better in some states. While the border states of California and Texas have the highest Hispanic populations in the nation at 25% and 19%, the need continues to spread across the country. Recruiters are interested in connecting with bilingual nurses who can serve those specific patient populations as well as others throughout the nation.
Looking Ahead to Support a Diverse Healthcare Landscape
Demographic changes in the U.S. population are occurring rapidly and are anticipated to continue to do so for decades to come. As a result, the need for bilingual nurses is likely to increase. Nurses who take steps to become fluent in a second language may be in a better position to provide culturally competent care to patients and take advantage of more lucrative career opportunities.
The RN to BSN program from UTA offers nurses a flexible and affordable way to make themselves more competitive job applicants and better nurses. Through courses such as Holistic Care of Older Adults and Population and Community Health Nursing, graduates of this program are well equipped to communicate effectively with patients.
Learn about UTA’s online RN to BSN program.
