Program Details

My name is Tiara Wilbourn, and I have over 15 years of customer service experience, beginning in fast food, financial institutions, and medical call centers. While working for a company that managed medical billing, I realized I wanted to return to the medical field and pursue a more patient-facing career.

An opportunity opened for me at BJC, where I worked alongside observation sitters who provided one-on-one support to patients. That experience confirmed my desire to become more involved in direct patient care.

The MCS program has truly opened the door to my career, and I am beyond thankful for it. It helped me secure employment at one of the top hospitals in the region and served as the first step toward building my future in the medical field. Through the program, I learned the fundamentals of patient care and developed essential skills for working one-on-one with patients. One of the biggest advantages was being placed in a hospital role before I even graduated—something many programs do not offer.

Throughout my training and career journey, I received continuous support from the team, including tutoring and coaching. The staff was always available to assist, and my Case Manager regularly followed up to ensure I had everything I needed to succeed. The combination of flipped classroom learning, hands-on skills training, and in-class instruction made it easier to understand and retain the material. I completed the program with an A and am now scheduled to take the state exam.

Today, I can confidently say I not only have a job, but I have a career.

This opportunity has created a positive change in my life. Receiving a fully funded program allowed me to invest in myself and my family without taking on debt. I had been praying for direction on how to return to school, and I truly believe being introduced to the MCS apprentice CNA program was the answer. It has made a meaningful difference in my life, and I know this is only the beginning.

In my current role as a Patient Care Technician (PCT), I am gaining hands-on experience in a hospital setting and learning the foundations of patient care. I work alongside nurses and other healthcare professionals, which gives me the opportunity to observe different career paths within the medical field.

My ultimate goal is to become a nurse. Nursing is a versatile and lifelong career, and I am excited to continue growing in this field. MCS has already assured me of their continued support as I take the next steps in my journey, and my employer, Memorial/BJC, offers tuition assistance to support my career advancement.

I am incredibly grateful for the funding and support that made this journey possible. Without it, I’m not sure where I would be today.