For Makayla, becoming a Registered Nurse was more than a career goal—it was a dream she was determined to achieve. With hard work, resilience, and years of support from our Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, she turned that dream into reality.
When Makayla entered WIOA, she was working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) while attending Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC). She had already completed a Medical Assistant degree and wanted to build on her healthcare experience by becoming a nurse.
But continuing her education was becoming financially difficult. Makayla had reached the maximum timeframe for traditional financial aid and was primarily eligible for unsubsidized loans. With limited savings and no family financial support for school, she worried that she might not be able to finish her nursing education.
Support That Went Beyond Tuition
In 2021, Megan, an FSC WIOA Career Services Specialist, began working with Makayla. WIOA helped address immediate needs such as tuition, textbooks, and mileage for classes, laboratories, and clinical requirements. But Megan’s support extended well beyond financial assistance.
Together, they navigated financial-aid concerns, explored scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement, reviewed budgets, and identified academic coaching, tutoring, and other resources. Megan also stayed in regular contact with Makayla, monitored her progress, updated her education and employment goals, and helped her problem-solve as circumstances changed.
The journey was not always easy. Makayla balanced school with employment, family caregiving responsibilities, financial pressures, and personal challenges. Her education also included setbacks and changes that altered the timeline she had originally envisioned.
During difficult periods, Megan encouraged Makayla to keep moving forward rather than allowing one setback to define her future.
“Thank you for the support,” Makayla told Megan during one particularly challenging period. She recognized that continuing nursing school would have been difficult, and possibly impossible, without WIOA assistance.
A Determined Journey to Nursing Success
Makayla’s persistence paid off. She first completed her Practical Nursing credential and began working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Rather than stopping there, she continued toward her larger goal by entering NWTC’s Associate Degree Nursing program.
After years of balancing education, work, and life’s challenges, Makayla graduated from the program and passed the NCLEX-RN examination. She earned her Registered Nurse license and accepted an RN position with Prevea’s OB-GYN clinic, where she can continue developing her career in women’s health and healthcare.
Her professional transformation is remarkable. As a Registered Nurse, Makayla currently earns nearly three times as much per hour than she did upon entering WIOA as a CNA.
Equally important, now Makayla can look toward a future filled with opportunities for professional growth, financial stability, and advancement in nursing.
Her story demonstrates that WIOA can provide much more than help paying for school. For students facing financial or other barriers to education, having a consistent advocate and access to supportive resources can make the difference between giving up and reaching the finish line.
Makayla’s achievement belongs to her. Her determination carried her through every challenge. WIOA and Megan’s long-term support helped give her the resources, encouragement, and guidance to keep going.
If you are considering education or career training but are worried about how you will pay for school or overcome barriers, learn more about FSC’s WIOA program. The right support can help you take the next step toward your own career goals.
