Although Spanish is her first language, the moment Nursing major Angeles Magana-Espinoza ’26 learned about LVC’s Applied Spanish for Healthcare Professionals minor, she knew she needed to pursue it.

“I have learned so much—not only the language but about cultural competence in the healthcare field and how important that is,” said Magana-Espinoza. “Medical Spanish was way different than the Spanish that I use from day to day. I know I’m going to be able to help so many Spanish-speaking families to feel represented and understood.”

Magana-Espinoza uses her medical Spanish during her current med/surg clinical rotation at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon.

“It’s always so rewarding to help these patients,” she said. “I love seeing their face brighten whenever I tell them I speak Spanish.”

She has also completed a fundamentals clinical rotation that covers basic nursing skills at the Lebanon VA Medical Center in the long-term care unit where she enjoyed building relationships with patients. She will also complete a mental health rotation at WellSpan Philhaven.

As part of the applied Spanish for Healthcare Professionals minor, Magana-Espinoza studied in Costa Rica the previous summer. She completed six credits in Spanish with classes taught by host professors and an LVC professor.

“We were there to learn Spanish, which we did a lot, and we became very close with our professors. However, we were also there to experience new things,” she said. “We were in Heredia for two weeks, so I really got to know my host moms and become part of their family. They took such good care of me and were so supportive in everything.”

On campus, Magana-Espinoza is part of LVC’s chapter of the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania. She traveled with several other SNAP students to the organization’s national convention in Seattle in April.

“We met people from nursing schools all over the country,” she said. “I’m excited to get to know other students and learn more about nursing and the NCLEX [National Council Licensure Examination].”

Magana-Espinoza also volunteers as a Valley Blue Coat with the College’s Advancement Office. She credits this experience with improving the soft skills and professionalism that nursing requires.

“I’ve talked to donors who were nurses, and it has been fascinating to see how the world of nursing has changed so much and the impact LVC has made on so many amazing donors,” she said. “Without our donors, many students couldn’t pursue their dreams here. I’m an Allwein Scholarship recipient, and I know that without this scholarship, it would be much harder for me to be where I am now.”

Magana-Espinoza eagerly anticipates paying it forward starting with an externship in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center this summer. It’s at Hershey where she was inspired to pursue a nursing career.

“I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer, when I was 10 years old. My nurses were some of the people who helped me get through such a difficult time. They comforted me whenever I was scared even if it was the smallest thing, and they always made me feel like it was going to be ok. I want to be that person for someone else and help them get through the hardest times of their lives.”