Hispanic and Latino/a Nurses You Should Know About
This article highlights Hispanic and Latino/a nurses who are committed to inspiring their communities to pursue nursing careers and improving healthcare accessibility. In 2020, a survey indicated that 5.6% of registered nurses identified as Hispanic or Latino/a, a slight increase from 2017. However, proportional representation in the nursing workforce remains inadequate.
Many influential Hispanic and Latino/a nurses actively mentor and support the Latino/a nursing community, guiding future generations of nurses.
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Notable figures include the founder of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and a nurse who created a platform for Latina nurses. These individuals, alongside other featured nurses, work to empower fellow nurses and bring positive change to the nursing field.
Supporting Latino/a Nurses Through Hispanic Nursing Organizations
NAHN acknowledges that socio-economic factors contribute to attrition among Hispanic nursing students and faculty. To counter this, NAHN provides high school students with information about prerequisite nursing school courses and resources for supporting Latino/a nursing students.
NAHN highlights Latino/a and Hispanic role models and operates the Mentors Connection program, pairing aspiring nurses with experienced mentors for guidance and support.
The Significance of Mentorship for Hispanic and Latino/a Nurses
With a goal of increased nursing diversity, NAHN aims to raise the percentage of Hispanic nurses from the current 5.6% to 18.5%, aligning with the current Hispanic and Latino/a population in the United States.
Noteworthy Hispanic and Latino/a Nurses
NAHN regularly profiles Hispanic and Latino/a nurses working towards better representation in the nursing field. Here are profiles of some of these influential nurses:
1. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN: Dr. Murillo-Rohde relocated from Panama to Texas in 1945. Recognizing the lack of Hispanic nurses, she pursued nursing education, earning degrees from Columbia University and New York University. She played a pivotal role in founding NAHN in 1975 to advance Hispanic and Latino/a nursing education and service.
2. Hector Hugo Gonzalez, Ph.D., VR-RN: Gonzalez attended nursing school in Texas during the 1960s and became the first Mexican-American RN to earn a doctorate in 1974. He broke new ground as the first Hispanic district president of the Texas Nursing Association and helped underrepresented communities become licensed RNs through flexible curriculum options.
3. Henrieta Villaescusa, MPH, RN: Villaescusa dedicated her public health career to increasing opportunities for women and Hispanics. She achieved milestones such as becoming the first Hispanic nurse appointed Health Administrator of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Her contributions extended even after retirement, shaping initiatives during the Reagan administration.
4. Hilda Ortiz-Morales, NPcs, Ph.D., AAHIVS: After obtaining her doctorate, Ortiz-Morales established a program providing care to HIV patients at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Many of her patients are Hispanic and African American, with 90% relying on Medicaid or Medicare. She imparts knowledge as an adjunct professor at Herbert H. Lehman College.
5. Elizabeth Aquino, Ph.D., RN: Aquino is a surgical-trauma intensive care nurse and associate professor at DePaul University in Chicago. She’s been president of the American Nurses Association-Illinois, treasurer at NAHN, and president of NAHN-Illinois Chapter. She mentors Latino/a nurses and advocates for accessible healthcare in underserved communities.
6. Martha Salmon, RN: Salmon overcame challenges to realize her nursing dream, sharing her story to inspire fellow Latinas through Latina, RN. She founded this initiative to encourage Latinas to embrace their heritage and pursue healthcare careers.
7. Adriana Perez, Ph.D., CRNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, FGSA: Perez, an assistant professor of nursing, developed a community-based exercise health intervention tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of older Latinas. Her dedication to nursing and diversity is evident in her roles, including being a NAHN member, president of the Phoenix Chapter, and a diversity consultant.
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