Lebanon Valley College Nursing student Karla Gutierrez ’26 retells a story from her internship at Lebanon Family Health Services that perfectly expresses her passion for her chosen career.

“I interpreted for a patient who had experienced abuse and was seeking help,” said Gutierrez. “As she shared her story, she broke down in tears, and I had to hold back my emotions to keep interpreting. It was heartbreaking and infuriating to know that so many women and children face this situation and often must endure it alone.”

“Nurses often see cases of abuse, and I want to be someone who not only treats patients but also advocates for their safety and well-being. I want to do more than provide medical care. I also want to ensure that my patients are not sent back into harmful environments,” added Gutierrez.

Gutierrez secured her internship partly due to her Applied Spanish for Healthcare Professionals minor. This 18-credit minor requires advanced Spanish classes and encourages internship and independent study.

“I didn’t want just to learn how to translate for Spanish-speaking patients in the classroom, I also wanted hands-on experience,” she said. “My primary responsibilities included interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients in the reproductive health clinic and shadowing nurse practitioners. As I advance in my Nursing courses, I’ll be able to take on more clinical tasks, such as taking vital signs and assisting with partial health assessments under the guidance of a nurse or nurse practitioner.”

Improved communication with patients and the speed and understanding required in translation are two of the biggest takeaways from her internship experience. In addition, Gutierrez learned how to manage her time effectively, develop strong study habits, and balance assignments with self-care during her LVC Nursing prerequisite courses.

As Gutierrez progresses through her remaining time at LVC, she looks forward to starting a Nursing career and potentially pursuing a Nurse Practitioner degree and specializing in Pediatrics. She also plans to continue her Spanish training with a Medical Interpretation Certification for Spanish to build stronger connections with patients and make them more confident to ask questions about their or their children’s health.

Learn more about LVC’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree here.