Jacqueline Goes from CNA To ICU RN (Success Story)

When Jacqueline Lipford enrolled in the accelerated Columbia College, Lake Ozark nursing program, it didn’t take long before she was wondering what she’d gotten herself into. Between full-time school and working 12-hour shifts as a CNA, it didn’t take long for her to struggle to keep up the pace.

Thanks to the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, Lipford found the support she needed, receiving assistance for tuition, books, uniforms, travel, and additional program fees. Not only that, but she went through budget counseling, where she soon discovered ways to cut unnecessary expenses and plan for the upcoming months.

“Eventually I was able to budget well enough that I could cut my hours at work to only one 12-hour shift a week to focus on my studies,” said Jacqueline. “This paid off tremendously and I graduated from the program on April 30^th, 2022 with honors. With the help of my WIOA advisor, I was able to successfully fulfill my dreams of becoming a Registered Nurse.”

Prior to her training, Lipford was earning $13.20/hr as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She is now employed with Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Arkansas as a Registered Nurse in their ICU Nurse Residency Program, earning $30.75/hr.

Congratulations, Jacqueline!