Bilingualism: A Comforting Skill to Help Latinx Patients

Since the rise of the pandemic in March, Laura Gillen ‘19 and Yaitza Robles ‘18, alumnae with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, have been helping many of the COVID-19 patients at Rhode Island Hospital, especially those who just speak Spanish, not only as translators but as company for those patients having a hard time, since receiving visitors has not even been an option. 

“We become their support system and try to do the best job we can to try and help them progress from this virus, but also to provide a feeling of safety,” says Robles. 

Gillen says that unfortunately there aren't many Spanish speakers in her unit, she is the only one on her shift, so she tries to do what she can to help and support those who need her on while her long working hours. “I try my best to comfort both the patient and the families that are constantly calling to check on their loved ones,” she adds.

Although at RIH they have an interpreter machine, an iPad that has a translator program, that allows patients to pick almost any language and have a video call with an interpreter, “it does not have that human element, patients feel more heard with someone by their side,” says Guillen. “Being there in person makes it more personal and makes me feel helpful.” The machine that is available 24/7, becomes particularly useful when patients speak something besides Spanish. 

Robles and Guillen are both registered nurses at Rhode Island Hospital, and also Latinxs. Robles has worked on the Medical/tele unit which started to attend the first patients with COVID-19 at the hospital, and was also one of the first who got in contact with COVID-19 patients in her unit. “My goal was to always help others, and for me, nursing was a part of who I wanted to become,” says Robles. “It is not only my duty but what I want to do, continue to do and will do, no matter the circumstances.” 

Gillen is proudly Dominican and recalls that she found her vocation after helping to take care of multiple sick family members. “Being in the hospital with my family made me appreciate what nurses do for their patients. I had always wanted to be in the medical field and nursing was the best fit for me,” she recalls. “I feel it is important to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.” 

For Robles the pandemic has been challenging because she never thought something like this could happen, “I never thought we would be stuck in a pandemic that has so much effect.” And although she feels it has been physically and mentally an exhausting experience, it has prepared her to be more aware of infection control, “it’s also made me realize that no matter the age or status of any human being, we are not invincible,” she adds.

Now that worldwide the Coronavirus has been around for almost a year, Robles keeps emphasizing on the importance to have precautions such as washing hands as much as necessary, set up a changing station at home to remove work clothes, wipe down shoes and use a disinfectant for arms and hands. “My uniform goes straight into a plastic bag that is only for work items. Once inside my house, I run to the shower to bath with extra precaution,” she recommends.

Both Robles and Gillen believe that it is important to stay protected and that every person needs to become more conscious about their health overall. They advise frequent hand wash, to leave shoes outside if possible, to not get in contact with others if unnecessary, to not go out in public if you are feeling ill and to always wear masks out in public, as well as, “eating healthy, exercising, and being aware of what they come in contact with,” concludes Guillen.