Bilingual Nursing Fellowship Program

Bilingual Nurses are Needed!

There has never been a better time to be a nurse. South Mountain Community College, in cooperation with Phoenix College, Gateway Community College, and various universities offers one of the foremost bilingual nursing programs in the US. The healthcare industry is growing each day and there is a high demand for qualified bilingual nurses. Being bilingual is critical in this industry as it helps cross-cultural barriers and to build trusting relationships in clinical settings. Nurses who speak more than one language are in demand because:

  • They instantly build a trusting relationship with patients who don’t speak English. This makes patients feel more at ease and able to explain medical concerns comfortably.
  • Bilingual nurses are more cost-effective for medical institutions to employ. Hiring a staff interpreter or using one on a contract basis can be costly.
  • Clinics offering bilingual nurses can work with a larger demographic, making the medical facility more diverse and well-received in communities where several ethnicities are present.
  • Bilingual nurses can help patients understand legal documents, take-home care instructions, and educational pamphlets, giving the patient a feeling of security and empowerment.

The solution is you!

If you are bilingual in English/Spanish and wish to pursue a career as an RN, please consider applying to the Bilingual Nursing Fellowship Program at South Mountain Community College.

Program Requirements

  • Speak, read and write English and Spanish proficiently. (If you are selected for an interview, the interview is bilingual!)
  • Have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States with a valid social security number.
  • Achieve college level placement into English, Reading, and Math.
  • Attend all curriculum as scheduled at SMCC.
  • 3.0 GPA in prerequisite course (some exceptions apply)
  • Apply for Admission at South Mountain Community College (https://admissions.maricopa.edu/)

Fast Facts!

  • Registered nurses (RNs) constitute the largest healthcare occupation, with more than 2.6 million jobs.
  • About 60 percent of RN jobs are in hospitals.
  • About 8 percent of jobs were in offices of physicians, 5 percent in home healthcare services, 5 percent in nursing care facilities, and 3 percent in employment services. The remainder works in government agencies, social assistance agencies, and educational services.
  • Advancement opportunities may be more limited for those without a BSN or higher. Individuals who complete a bachelor’s degree receive more training in communication, leadership, and critical thinking, all of which are becoming more important as the nursing practice grows more complex. Additionally, bachelor’s degree programs offer more clinical experience in non-hospital settings. A bachelor’s degree (or higher) is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting or teaching.
  • Overall job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent, but may vary by employment and geographic setting.

Information from Bureau of Labor Statistics