The United States Department of Health and Human Services has found
some interesting figures relating to Latino nurses in a recent study
they conducted. Their study shows that the Hispanic population is one of
the most underrepresented groups in America's nursing population.
Nursing schools today graduate Hispanic students faster than those of
any other ethnic group. The problem is, many of these students report
feeling a lack of support system, unlinked from peers and faculty.
Nursing schools are starting to address this issue.
A clinical instructor at New York University's College of Nursing
started a campus organization to aid and encourage Latino students. The
group, Latinos Aspiring to Imagine Nursing Opportunities (LATINOS) seeks
to provide a supportive group, a safety net for students who might feel
isolated.
Encouraging Latino nurses to seek higher degrees and pursue other sorts
of work within the healthcare industry and academia, founder Michele
Crespo-Fierro, Registered Nurse (RN), explained, "In New York, we have
diversity on our floors, you know, in the nursing units. But those
nurses tend to stay on the floors. There's that comfort level developed
with having to stay on that regular schedule, having that regular
paycheck, really good benefits, and there's a fear of really moving
beyond that and taking on the added levels of responsibility and
leadership roles."
Students have praised the new organization. They report appreciating the
collaboration to be found in a safe, friendly environment. Some have
taken a keen interest in participation with the National Association of
Hispanic Nurses and in other leadership and educational activities.
The University's College of Nursing hosts various other specialized
student groups, including the Men Entering Nursing (MEN) group for men,
another significant minority in the nursing industry. You can probably
expect niche groups such as LATINOS and MEN to continue popping up in
nursing schools as they are an excellent recruitment and retaining tool.