Universities aid bilingual nursing students in career development

The hunger for bilingual nurses is higher than ever due to the growing number of patients in the U.S. whose first language is not English; yet the numbers of minority nurses and those who speak a second language do not match the increasing patient population. For example, Hispanics currently make up 15% of the population, yet comprise only 2% of RNs.

Universities are looking to encourage more bilingual students to choose nursing careers by offering financial and academic support. Initiatives have sprung up at colleges aross the country, including Marquette University in Milwaukee and Wisconsin's Carroll College to help meet the industry's needs.

The Beyond Project, launched by Marquette University in Milwaukee, targets Hispanic, African-American, and Asian students who want to major in nursing, providing them with mentoring and training services. Another program, The Hispanic Nursing Project at Carroll College, gives grants to students, and promises to simplify the recruitment process for hospitals searching for bilingual nurses. 

Source:Workforce.com