Several Puerto Rican nurses who moved to Cleveland after Hurricane Maria recently earned the necessary certification to practice in Ohio, according to ABC affiliate News 5 Cleveland.
Cleveland's Spanish American Committee partnered with Cleveland-based MetroHealth System to offer free training to the nurses to help them earn the certification. Many professionals from Puerto Rico, including nurses, sought refuge in Cleveland after the 2017 hurricane. While the nurses were licensed in Puerto Rico, they could not work in Ohio without a state-specific license.
The first 17 graduates should not have difficulties finding a job, as many Ohio hospitals are searching for Spanish-speaking nurses to better communicate with patients. Many providers currently rely on translators, which can create a barrier between them and their patients.