By Dianna Kelly, Goodwill Workforce Development Specialist
Jennifer has successfully completed the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Program twice now and it has been my pleasure to be her case manager both times. Jennifer first came to my office in the Pima County OneStop in January of 2015. She was interested in the Practical Nursing (PN) program through Pima Community College and was also accepted into the Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG) through Pima Community College.
While going through the process of being accepted into the PN Program, her application for a fingerprint clearance card was denied. There were circumstances in her background that showed up in the report from the Department of Public Safety. This was in May 2015. In June, Jennifer sent her good cause exception appeal into the Department of Public Safety and by July 2015 she had her fingerprint clearance card. She came through this experience with the knowledge that she would probably have to appeal again to receive her Practical Nurse License with the Arizona State Board of Nursing. This did not deter Jennifer. She was determined to leave her past behind and get the education she needed to work in the medical field.
At this point, she was accepted into the PN Program at Pima Community College and was assigned a start date of February 2016. She actually got to start in September of 2015. At that time, she was getting assistance from WIOA and HPOG.
She was on her way! She completed her PN Certificate, without any issues, in October 2016. She did have to appeal with the Arizona State Board of Nursing, was vetted and received her PN License in December 2016.
Jennifer wanted to give full attention to her pre requisites for the Registered Nursing Program (RN) so she could complete them in one semester. So, she did not apply for LPN jobs until summer of 2017, when her pre requisites were completed. After all her hard work, she was hired on as a PN in October of 2017. At that time WIOA closed out her file as completed successfully! According to WIOA rules a participant needs to work for a year in the field of their training to take advantage of the career pathways we offer.
Jennifer came back in December 2018 to apply for help with the Registered Nurse Program. At that time, she had successfully completed the 1st semester of the RN Program. She had advanced placement in the RN Program since she already had her PN License, meaning she would be able to complete her RN Program in 1 ½ years rather than 2.
Jennifer is now completing the final semester of the RN Program. We are in the process of getting her exam and licensing fees paid. As quickly as she was able to get a job as a PN, Jennifer should have no problem getting a RN job once she obtains her license. Well done Jennifer, well done!
