Foundation re-establishes NM Hispanic Nurses Association

The Santa Fe-based Con Alma Health Foundation, in an effort to address a health care gap for New Mexico’s minority populations, secured a national grant recently to help diversify the state’s nursing workforce. 

The project will kick off today with re-establishment of a New Mexico Hispanic Nurses Association from 3 to 5 p.m. at The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque. 

Helen Alarid, a nurse of almost 30 years who has cared for cardiac patients at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and now teaches at Northern New Mexico College in Española, envisions the Hispanic group providing resources and mentorship. 

Alarid said 85 percent of Northern’s enrollment is Hispanic students, and they come with socioeconomic challenges and inexperience with academic life. She said they are more likely to continue their education if they have role models who understand their challenges and can help them find solutions

Foundation re-establishes NM Hispanic Nurses Association