The Importance and Relevance of Learning English in the International Context of Nursing

Abstract

Being considered the global language of communication, science and business, the English language still occurs as a hurdle in the life of numerous people, including Romanians. Thus, this paper attempts to decipher, study and understand the manner in which Romanians perceive the process of learning the English language, as well as their behaviour manifested towards acquiring and using the necessary knowledge in the current world.

Another issue studied in this research is the relevance of learning English language in the international context, concerning the field of nursing. The professional environment of a nurse involves, besides specialised knowledge of the field (nursing techniques, anatomy and emergency practices), other data, extracted from numerous domains, such as efficient communication skills, empathy and stress management, as well as proper abilities of speaking an internationally used foreign language, hence the importance of English in a nursing career.

In this respect, our research is based on the process of observing a number of nurses communicating with native English speakers, as well as with non-native English speaking patients, while insisting upon the challenges faced by former category during their interaction with patients and their efficiency displayed in this process. Another issue studied was the success rate of such interactions and thus, the implication and the relevance of already acquired English speaking skills in these intercultural interactions in the nursing field.