Medical Training

Interested in LPN Training?  Learn more about Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

If you have been searching for LPN programs in California, you may have discovered that California is one of two states which uses the term LVN instead of LPN.  LVN stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse vs. Licensed Practical Nurse.  Many LPN programs and LPN schools require both theory and hands-on-training.

The LPN or LVN is a licensed nurse with very similar skills and knowledge of the RN or Registered Nurse.   You can become an LPN or LPN much faster, and can begin your training right out of high-school and without as many pre-requisite classes as RN.  LPNs and LVNs have very satisfying careers and many continue on to pursue their RN and many receive advanced standing in RN programs.

The LPN or LVN is often working in clinics, out-patient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and in education.  Areas that the LVN is often utilized, is in medication administration, wound care management, and hospice.  Some people think nursing only involves blood and guts, but nursing has so many different career paths, that nursing involves not only caring for the sick, but providing education to healthy people who want to stay healthy such as in wellness checks, prenatal care, and health education.  There is almost always a specialty area that an LVN can be utilized in, including psychiatric hospitals, pediatric clinics, and even OB/GYN offices.

In my early twenties, I faced a life-changing event that left me alone, with two young children, no job, and in financial distress. I made the decision to enroll in an LVN program at a local college. It took years for me to graduate and become an LVN in California. If I had researched my options, I would have chosen a private post-secondary vocational LVN program that was accredited by the State of California as well as nationally accredited by ABHES. My choice would have been Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts because they are the only local private college that offers an outstanding, accelerated LVN program that is accredited by both State and National Organizations.

Choosing a program can be confusing, with the various options of mornings/ evening classes, quality and reputation of the LVN schools, and the experience of the Instructors. Having an option to complete the LVN program in just over twelve months, (fifteen months with no previous pre-requisite courses completed), would have helped me to start my new nursing career and financially support my young family. Not only do I have the chance to start a meaningful career, but I have many choices of what type of job I want to work, what group of people do I wish to help, and whether to travel or remain local- all nursing employment opportunities available to graduates. One can work in a hospital setting, a Doctor’s office, a factory as an Industrial Nurse, a prison nurse, home health where a nurse goes to provide care in homes where the patients are unable to leave their homes, or travel to different states, countries, or cities for a preset time and work at a hospital that has been short on nursing staff.

Nursing offers the possibility of specializing in a specific field of medicine or line of work. Nurse Educators are available to the communities to inform the public of the latest information on wellness and prevention, health warnings, and disease processes. The Nursing Instructors at Gurnick Academy have years of experience in the field and share this wisdom with the students in lecture, demonstration of skills , and a variety of learning methods for all types of adult learners. The articulation of the clinical experiences at local hospitals with the didactic components, allow a cohesive and logical fusion of theory and practicum. Many hours of practicing a skill on the mannequins with the Instructor and a small group of students in the Skills Lab at the campus will boost one’s confidence and fine tune the skill, until the student performs the skill of competency with a satisfactory return demonstration. The learning atmosphere is positive and supportive, and many students make strong friendships while in the program. The clinical experiences will create dfond memories and funny tales to share.

I wanted a career that provided me with great satisfaction, like I was somehow making a difference. I believe nursing has given me a sense of reward and giving to my community, helping strangers in pain, fear and alone not be. That makes me smile.