McKenzie
Career Specialist Nikki Lanham reports on her customer. “McKenzie was a mom of 3 children when she came to Man-Tra-Con in July 2022, seeking WIOA training assistance. She was interested in becoming a nurse and needed our services to enroll in the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program at John A. Logan College for the fall 2022 semester. Through WIOA funding, McKenzie was eligible to receive assistance with transportation costs, fees, and tuition, plus other supportive services like uniforms and books,” Nikki explains.
“McKenzie faced several obstacles while in the LPN program. In addition to caring for her 3 children, she helped her dad care for her 3-year-old sister Juniper. She also endured a legal battle for custody of Juniper. When Juniper was admitted to the hospital with major health issues, McKenzie had to miss 12 days of the nursing program. McKenzie overcame all these obstacles, successfully completed the program, and received her LPN license in August 2023,” Nikki reports.
“In November 2023, Mckenzie began working for Advantage Nursing Services in Marion, Illinois, as a full-time LPN earning $30.00 per hour. It is a pediatric home health care position and she works “one-on-one” with her patient. McKenzie plans to apply for the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, and continue with her education to eventually earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN). She is a determined woman, and I know she can do it,” Nikki says.
McKenzie was thankful for the assistance she received from Man-Tra-Con. “I don’t know what I would have done without Man-Tra-Con. I don’t know how I would have made it. My books, tuition, everything was paid for, and it made me be able to live on my financial aid,” McKenzie says.