There’s more than one good reason to pick up a few common spanish nursing phrases for healthcare professionals.

For one, it’s going to make your resume stand out when the hiring team sees “minimal Spanish skills” on your CV. But beyond boosting your credentials, there’s a real need for Spanish speaking nurses, especially throughout the South West and West coast.

No matter how compassionate and caring of a nurse you are, hospitals are a stressful environment. Patients can feel distressed, anxious, and disconnected in hospitals, especially if they are non-native English speakers.

A little bit of Spanish for nurses is more than a practical consideration. Being able to communicate on some level with your patients will help them feel more comfortable and understood. Even if you aren’t fully fluent, a little bit of an effort to connect with them in their native language will go a long way in comforting them.

Below are some common spanish phrases nurses need to know.

Introductory Spanish for Nurses

  • Hello, my name is ______. I’ll be your nurse.
    • Hola, me llamo ______. Soy su enfermera.
  • What’s your name?
    • Como se llamó?
  • How are you today?
    • Como está hoy?
  • Can you speak English?
    • Habla ingles?
  • I speak a little Spanish.
    • Hablo un poco de español.

Basic Spanish Phrases for Nurses Performing Examinations

  • Are you in Pain?
    • Tiene dolor?
  • Can you point to the pain?
    • Puede mostrarme dónde siente dolor?
  • Please stand up. Please sit down.
    • Parese, por favor. Sientese, por favor.
  • Inhale. Exhale. Breathe deeply.
    • Aspire. Exhale. Respire profundamente.
  • I’m going to take your temperature.
    • Le voy a tomar su temperatura.

Spanish Phrases for Patients in your Care

  • Are you hungry or thirsty?
    • Quiere usted algo de tomar o tiene hambre?
  • Do you need to use the bathroom?
    • Necesita usar el baño?
  • Use the call light if you need help.
    • Use el botón para ayuda.
  • It’s time to take your medicine.
    • Es hora de tomar su medicina.
  • I’ll be back in a moment.
    • Regreso en un momento.

Spanish for Nurses to Comfort Patients

  • You’re going to be ok.
    • Vas estar bien.
  • We’re going to be finished soon and you’ll be able to go home.
    • Vamos a acabar en un minuto y después puedes regresar a tu casa.
  • Don’t worry.
    • No te preocupes.
  • Please let me know if you feel any pain, and we can stop for a minute.
    • Por favor dígame si siente algún dolor y podemos deternos un minuto.

Other Useful Spanish Phrases for Nurses

  • You can go home today.
    • Puede ir a casa hoy.
  • Do you have any family that you want us to call?
    • Usted tiene algún familiar a quien podamos llamar?
  • Do you want to take a shower?
    • Quiere banarse?
  • Ask for help before you get up.
    • Llame antes de levantarse.
  • Do you feel lightheaded/ dizzy?
    • Se siente mareado?

Final Thoughts: Spanish for Nurses

Even if you only utilize some of the above phrases, your patients are sure to be thankful and comforted by the effort. Memorize what you can, but don’t be afraid to take the list in as a cheat sheet. and expand your capabilities and level of care as a nurse with this simple phrase guide. 

If you plan on working as a per diem nurse, then chances are you’re going to run into clinics with different patient demographics and patient-care needs. Being prepared for whatever comes your way, including language barriers, will enable you to provide the best possible care.