The Lawrence Latino Nursing Program Isis Lucia, MSN, RNC Donna Rivera, MSW

 Population of 72,000.  69.7% are of Latino descent, mainly from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.  Poorest community in New England, and the 23 rd poorest in the USA.  Compact, inner-city, blue-collar population.

 Population is young parents and their children. 20% do not speak English.  High school population is 87% Latino.  The dropout rate at LHS is 11.2% annually (state average is 3.4%).  Over forty percent of adults do not have a high school diploma.

 Greater Lawrence Family Health Center was established in 1980 to provide critically needed primary care to the underserved and growing Latino population in Lawrence.  Over 400 employees work in our primary care sites and other programs.  120,000 visits annually for primary care.  Family Medicine Residency is a core element of the Health Center.

The mission of the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center is to improve and maintain the health of individuals and families in the Merrimack Valley by providing a network of high quality, comprehensive health care services and by training health care professionals to respond to the needs of a culturally diverse population.

To improve access to culturally competent quality healthcare for the Latino population in the Merrimack Valley.

 To increase the numbers of bilingual/bicultural healthcare providers who will practice in the community and provide appropriate care in the patient’s native language.  To improve health status indicators for the community.

 University of Massachusetts Medical School  AHEC Network  Massachusetts Department of Public Health  Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board  Northern Essex Community College  Middlesex Community College

 Expose high school students to healthcare professions at an early stage in their academic development.  Encourage program participants to set high academic goals and assist in developing strategies to achieve those goals.  Inform participants about the college application process, and the financial aid process.  Encourage students to review the many college programs and apply to several.

 Bilingual/bicultural individuals.  High school students who are interested in nursing.  Entry-level workers who would like to advance their career path.  Community residents who are enrolled at the college but need academic or financial support.

 Current high school juniors and seniors.  High school diploma or GED, if entering as an adult.  Success in The Adult Basic Education test (TABE) resulting in a minimum 8 th grade level in reading comprehension, and 7 th grade level in mathematics.  Completed application with two references and an essay.  Copy of high school or college transcript.

Youth Internship Program  Recruits 14 students from local high schools who have an interest in healthcare careers.  Offers paid after-school work.  Offers exposure to a variety of work settings.  Provides academic counseling/mentoring.  Provides workshops on life skills and resume design.  Provides healthcare career seminars.

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Summer Academy  Four-week enrichment program for 14 students.  Exposes students to academic and vocational experiences connected with nursing via classes, seminars, and field excursions.  Adult/child CPR, cultural competency, and a “vital signs” class are included in the programming.  One college credit is awarded through the community college.  A stipend is awarded to all the students who successfully complete the program.

 Anatomy Overview ◦ Students learn the fundamental concepts of anatomy and physiology, including dissection of a fetal pig.  College Writing ◦ Students improve grammar and punctuation skills, and learn persuasive-writing techniques. ◦ A portfolio/resume is developed.

 Basic and Advanced Math Review ◦ Students review fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, proportions, and basic algebra.  Vital Signs Workshop ◦ Students learn to assess blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature.  Adult, Child, and Infant CPR and First Aid Students earn American Heart Association certifications.

 Cultural Competency Seminar An overview of CLAS standards for healthcare providers/students.  Health Professions Seminars Presentations by healthcare professionals in various disciplines.  Field trips Onsite visits to health center mammography suite, SIM lab, and other sites as available.  Certificate of Completion awarded with stipend at conclusion of program.

Pilot Nursing Pathways Three pre-nursing classes taught at the community college in succession:  Medical Language I  Medical Language II  Learning Strategies for Success in Nursing Each class is worth three credits and may be used as electives in the nursing program.

 Medical Language I and II Students learn basic medical terminology including prefixes, suffixes, roots and abbreviations. (6 credits).  Learning Strategies for Success in Nursing Students develop strategies to improve note-taking, test-taking, and critical thinking skills (3 credits).

Tutoring  Small group work in math and reading.  Small group and individual preparation for the nursing entrance exams.  Online course developed by the college and our consultants to prepare for the entrance exams. Includes practice exams in math, science, reading, and English.

Mentoring/Academic Advising  Program director, program specialist, community college staff, and other health center staff serve as mentors.  Community partnership with the college offers students a priority application review for admissions to nursing.