LLU&MC Scope Autumn 2000

Nursing named among top school for Hispanics

In the June 2, 2000, issue of Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, Loma Linda University was ranked sixteenth highest in offering degrees to Hispanics. The ranking was based on colleges or universities granting bachelor of arts degrees in nursing to Hispanics.

Sophia S. Puerto, PhD, RN, CCRN, assistant professor, School of Nursing, is a firm supporter in helping the School recruit Hispanic students.

"When I came here as a teacher, I felt that recruiting Hispanic students was an area that could be improved," she says. Dr. Puerto talks to leaders in area churches, attends job fairs, carries recruiting materials in her car to hand out to potential students, and even talks to perspective students about nursing at the supermarket.

"Since Hispanics are among the fastest growing groups in San Bernardino, I felt this was an untapped area that we need to market to," says Dr. Puerto.

Hispanics, whose numbers have grown by more than 40 percent in the United States since 1990, account for an estimated 11.7 percent of all Americans, but less than 2 percent of RNs, according to Census Bureau and other federal data. By 2025, Hispanic Americans are projected to comprise more than 18 percent of the population.

Recruiting nursing students with a Hispanic background not only was important to reflect the ethnic make-up of the surrounding areas, but also to help offset current nursing shortages. By the year 2020, the RN work force is forecast to be nearly 20 percent below projected RN work force requirements.

Ernestine Dew, RN, PHN, director of admissions and recruitment for the School of Nursing, has heard of incentives from institutions with nursing shortages offering sign-on incentives of $4,000 to $5,000.

"I am thrilled," continues Ms. Dew, "about a new program, 'Success in Learning Individualized Pathways,' which is now offered by the School." SLIPP, as the program is known, is tailored for students who desire to become nurses and are from low-income families, first-generation college students, as well as those from minority groups, and/or single parents.

"Students who are part of SLIPP," emphasizes Ms. Dew, "receive academic skills enhancement; learning strategies; study, test-taking, and computers skills; medical terminology; and introduction to math for nursing."

Special financial aid—including grants and scholarships—is available for those nursing students at Loma Linda who meet specific financial criteria.

"The outlook for nursing education Loma Linda University is very good," concludes Ms. Dew.

"We have a dedicated faculty and staff who go out there and get students from underrepresented groups—but we still face the recruiting challenge like everybody else."

[Scope, Autumn 2000]