Dan
Dan, married with a 3-year-old daughter, was 37 when he was laid off from his welding position paying $13.13 per hour. Dan was interested in finding new work as a Vet Tech, and hoping to be placed in the On-the-Job Training program soon as possible. Based on Dan’s test scores and local labor market information, Dan’s Career Planner advised him toward a career in Nursing. Dan decided that it just might be a good fit for him. He completed basic nurse assistant training at Fishes and Loaves Vocational Center, and passed the state board exam. Upon completion of his clinical training, Regency Nursing Care hired Dan for a position paying $12.00 per hour. They hired him before he even passed his state boards.
Dan was eager to continue his education in nursing, but really needed to work in order to support his family. His Career Planner encouraged Dan to continue with his education while working full time. Dan did extremely well. He graduated from the Capital Area School of Practical Nursing and received the prestigious Florence Nightingale award — the highest award a nursing student at CASPN can achieve.
After passing the NCLEX exam, Dan accepted an LPN position with Memorial Physician Services in Springfield. Now earning $15.50 per hour, Dan wrote a note to his Career Planner, “Thank you SO much for all your help and for pushing me to pursue this. This is going to change my whole life”. He adds, “You guys have made an immeasurable difference in my life, and I will always be grateful!”