Success Story!
Sierra Eskra, Rn
Sierra Eskra came into the job center for WIOA Adult enrollment on July 26, 2016. She was a low-income adult that was receiving food stamps. Sierra knew that she had a passion for nursing and set a goal to become a Registered Nurse. She wanted to let her 3 children see her determination to complete her goals. She also wanted them to know that nothing was impossible if you set yourself to something. She began her training at the Kirksville Area Technical Center for the Practical Nursing program on August 16, 2016. She successfully completed the Practical Nursing program on July 20, 2017. During her Practical Nursing program, WIOA assisted her with required expenses for the PN program beyond all other grants/scholarships as well as childcare assistance. Sierra immediately began prerequisite classes at Moberly Area Community College so that she could apply for the Associate Degree of Nursing Program. Sierra applied for the ADN Program in September of 2017.
Sierra received her acceptance letter for the Associate Degree of Nursing Program at the Moberly Area Community College in December of 2018. She began the Associate Degree of Nursing Program on January 2, 2018. She successfully completed the ADN Program on December 12, 2018. Sierra successfully completed her Registered Nursing boards on February 4, 2019. During her ADN Program WIOA assisted her with required testing fees, required expenses beyond all other grants/scholarships as well as childcare assistance. She obtained full-time employment as a Registered Nurse at the Atlanta C-3 School District on August 15, 2019. She is working 40 hours per week and is making $14.06 per hour.
Sierra is grateful and very pleased that she chose the path of Nursing, and that she was able to re-enter into the workforce to make a sustainable wage that will help her family to meet the means of self-sufficiency. Sierra is also thrilled that she was able to gain full-time employment with the school district so that she won’t have to worry about summer childcare for her three children as she will also be off during the summer months.
"Going back to school at the age of thirty with three small children was scary. One thing that dramatically helped alleviate that was the help I received from WIOA. Knowing that I had help paying for my tuition and supplies was a major stress reliever. I got the pleasure of working with Mandy McClanahan. She was there to assist me all along my school journey and answer any questions I had. She was great about reaching out to see what she could help me with and to let me know what services she could offer. Knowing I had that available was so helpful. I was able to successfully finish my LPN and RN programs. I appreciate all the help and services that were available to me!"
Sierra Eskra, Rn
