Nursing students work with patients in Puerto Rico during Spring Break

While many college students spent spring break recharging, a group of eight Central Connecticut State University nursing students used the week to sharpen their clinical insight and Spanish language skills, stepping into hospital units, simulation labs, and community clinics where communication and care matter the most.

From March 16 to 21, students enrolled in Central’s new Spanish Certificate for Health Professionals traveled to the University of Puerto Rico’s Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan for an immersive experiential learning program. Accompanied by faculty members Dr. Rocío Fuentes and Dr. Lourdes Casas, the students engaged directly with healthcare professionals and patients in a fully Spanish-speaking environment.

Students applied their Spanish language skills in real-world medical contexts, navigating doctor-patient interactions, understanding clinical procedures, and gaining insight into healthcare delivery in a new cultural setting.

Throughout the week, students observed clinical practices across multiple disciplines, including trauma care, cardiac arrest simulations, and physical therapy. They also visited Clínica HealthproMed, a five-story nonprofit clinic in Santurce that serves a working-class community, where they witnessed firsthand how language and cultural understanding shape access to care.

The Spanish Certificate for Health Professionals program is designed for students pursuing careers in nursing, social work, and other health-related fields. The program blends language acquisition with cultural competency and specialized coursework in medical communication and translation, preparing students to address critical language barriers in healthcare.

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