A Labor of Love
Shiawassee County – Mylissa approached the Shiawassee County Michigan Works! office in May of 2022 for assistance with completing the last year of her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Baker College. While working full-time as a phlebotomist, Mylissa struggled to cover the cost of tuition and books that Federal Student Aid wouldn’t cover. On top of trying to help support her family of four, the cost of fuel to and from clinicals increased quickly, causing her great stress about finding assistance and support to complete her training. Mylissa had a strong drive to do everything she could that would lead her to her dream job of being a labor and delivery nurse.
Through traditional WIOA and MIReach programming, GST Michigan Works! was able to assist with the tuition costs for her final year of the Nursing program; including the cost of books and mileage reimbursement to reach her clinical site. Through this funding and the support and guidance of her Career Coach, Mylissa was able to complete her program successfully! After receiving her BSN degree, Michigan Works! was also able to assist her with reimbursement for the costs associated with the NCLEX exam and obtaining her Registered Nursing License through the State of Michigan. This helped her to secure a spot in her new career of nursing.
Even before completing her degree, in her last term, Mylissa was hired as a Graduate Nurse within Memorial Healthcare, doubling her hourly wage! Upon completing her bachelor’s degree in May 2023 and passing the National Nursing Licensure Exam, Mylissa officially became a Licensed Registered Nurse in June of 2023. As a result of this, Mylissa was then promoted to a Registered Nurse position with Memorial Healthcare, receiving an additional $2.50 per hour raise in the Labor & and Delivery Unit – exactly where she had dreamed of being!
Mylissa shared, “You guys were the reason I was able to continue my nursing degree. I was employed at Memorial Health Care working as a phlebotomist while providing for my family. I had 2 boys while in nursing school, and my husband worked full-time so I could go to nursing school. I worked per diem as a phlebotomist, working full-time hours and going to nursing school, but paying for my nursing books that were almost $800 each semester, and paying for tuition was almost impossible. That was until I got help from you! You helped me be able to pay for my tuition that wasn’t covered by FAFSA to be able to become an RN! Because of you guys, I now work at my dream job as a Labor and Delivery nurse; you made it possible!. I also had the opportunity to have my resume remade with the help of your wonderful staff!”