Program Details

Sarai Tipler, a single mom of two boys who resides in Ullin, Illinois, was approved for the WIOA Program to pursue the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program in the Fall of 2020 at Shawnee Community College.

Sarai stated,

“I was determined to become a nurse because I love being in the nursing field, taking care of people, and seeing a simile on patients' faces knowing that I have done everything I could for them before my shift ends. The WIOA program lifted a burden off me and helped a lot because I did not know how to pay for school. At the time, I didn’t have a job and didn’t get approval for a PELL grant since I used all my hours once before being in the nursing program. After being accepted into the WIOA Program, I could focus on school and not worry about finances.

While the journey was never easy, I have worked for a year and a half as an LPN at St. Francis Hospital on the Orthopedic/Surgical floor.

I continue to learn and grow each day. I am a hands-on, visualized person. Taking care of patients is a little different from the textbook and manikins you practice during nursing school, but I enjoy my work and love getting to know my patients and their family members. My coworkers are wonderful team players, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of women and men to work with.”

She is furthering her career to become a Registered Nurse (RN) as she works on-call, part-time, as a PRN while in the LPN-RN Bridge program.

Sarai says, “Trust in God even when a man/woman says NO or that you cannot do it. When you fail/fall, get back up and try it again. Do not give up on your dreams no matter what obstacles may come your way."

She also wants to extend her appreciation to the Shawnee Development Council WIOA Program by saying, “Thank you!”