The textbook is designed to satisfy the linguistic needs of nursing personnel who deal with monolingual Spanish speakers. The goal of the text is to enable the student to communicate in Spanish. The material stresses career-oriented "need-to-know" Spanish, relevant cultural awareness materials, practical role-playing exercises, and task assignments. Mexican-American terminology is used with footnotes for Puerto Rican variations. Text material has been thoroughly researched from both a professional and a linguistic point of view, and is based on realistic and authentic situations. The study of grammar is not emphasized. All vocabulary is practical and is presented in context with cartoon-type visual cues. Dialogue and non-verbal cues are in comic strip format with the written text on the opposite page for easy reference. Content provides for intensive development of oral expression, listening comprehension, and reading knowledge of basic Spanish required in performing specialized functions. Also included are relevant phonetics, vocabulary, and cultural material. The material is adaptable to individualized and self-paced programs. (Author/AMH)