Medical Training

What happens to you when someone asks, “Did you hear about …?” Do you reactwith excitement or dread?  If it is dread that you experience, you are probably expecting to hear gossip or be part of what is called, “triangulation.”  Triangulation refers to the triangular shape, as one easily moves outward to one of the 3 points.  In other words, as you listen to your friend speak about someone, you suddenly become connected to the speaker (gossiper). This then triangulates the absent party turning them into the “outsider” or “target. “Whether you are already a LVN in California or a student in a LVN program, you have probably encountered the challenge to both listen to gossip while trying to hold onto your professional values. This scenario sounds like the challenge of riding a donkey while drinking from a crystal goblet, eventually you will only be able to hold onto one, or you will fall off the donkey and break the glass.   By now you might be wondering why people gossip?  According to Anne Katherine, MA, author of “Where to Draw the Line,” she says that gossip can be used to discharge feelings.  Pathetically instead of directly communicating feelings and unmet needs to someone, the suppressed feelings are funneled indirectly with gossip, and leads to mistrust and a fragmented community.  One way to keep your LVN programs or community free from the negative effects of gossip is to stop “the donkey” in its tracks by asking the following:

Will this conversation later be shared directly with the absent party?

Does this conversation bring clarity?

Does this conversation compromise needs such as, mutual respect, trust, or emotional safety?

If your answer to any or all of the questions above is “No,” then protect your “chalice of values” by becoming a compassionate nurse.

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.