[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/career-success-story-nursing-program\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/career-success-story-nursing-program\/","headline":"Career Success Story: Nursing Program","name":"Career Success Story: Nursing Program","description":"When Monique Lepkowski started thinking about a career change, she was attracted to the nursing field. As a graduate of the Practical Nursing program at Prism Career Institute, she now has a rewarding job that she loves. Even though her class experienced some challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the support from faculty members and","datePublished":"2021-08-03","dateModified":"2023-07-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/author\/prism-vendor\/#Person","name":"Prism Vendor","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/author\/prism-vendor\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a055421bfa1ca171b49ed3199efa2d2735bd46c256dfd5c8f4aa174ca8cb032a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a055421bfa1ca171b49ed3199efa2d2735bd46c256dfd5c8f4aa174ca8cb032a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Prism Career Institute","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Nurse-Station-In-Empty-Hallway-300x256.jpg","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Nurse-Station-In-Empty-Hallway-300x256.jpg","height":"256","width":"300"},"url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/career-success-story-nursing-program\/","about":["Career Services"],"wordCount":608,"articleBody":"When Monique Lepkowski started thinking about a career change, she was attracted to the nursing field. As a graduate of the Practical Nursing program at Prism Career Institute, she now has a rewarding job that she loves. Even though her class experienced some challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the support from faculty members and the school helped Lepkowski accomplish her goals. She recently spoke about her journey to becoming a nursing professional and how Prism Career Institute has positively impacted her life.A Match that Felt Like FateLepkowski hadn\u2019t told anyone that she was thinking about nursing, but one day during her lunch hour, she saw an ad for Prism Career Institute in her Facebook feed. \u201cSo, I clicked on it and filled it out.\u201d A representative of the school responded immediately. “I told him I was a little apprehensive because I’d been out of school for a while,\u201d says Lepkowski, but she decided to go ahead with the application process.There is an initial entrance exam required by the Practical Nursing program. She was thrilled to pass the test, and, together with the school\u2019s representative, she started getting her application materials together. \u201cWe kind of had to rush because the term was about to start \u2013 I think we had two weeks to get me in!\u201d She wanted to start as soon as possible.Facing ChallengesLepkowski\u2019s family and friends were supportive of her new endeavor, and she gave notice at her job and full attention to school. Chosen as class ambassador, she became the voice of her class as the pandemic started to affect the curriculum. “We had to move from traditional learning to learning everything online,” says Lepkowski.Pandemic restrictions made clinical rotations impossible that year, but the students continued with their studies. “Every time a curveball was thrown at me, I thought, \u2018I can keep doing this,\u2019” says Monique. “The clinical part is so essential, yet as a class, we are all doing so well. I just hit the floor, and I was dealing with patients, and I do know what I’m doing. I feel very confident working in the field.\u201dAfter GraduationReceiving her temporary license right out of school, Lepkowski started working at a hospital while waiting to take her National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN), which is what it takes to become a practical nurse (PN). She did pass her exam and continues to work as a substance abuse nurse at the hospital. \u201cI just fit in,\u201d Lepkowski says. \u201cIt\u2019s a perfect niche.\u201cIt was just a beautiful transition of growing into becoming a nurse and Prism Career Institute really helped me get there,\u201d she continues. Her teachers were \u201cphenomenal,\u201d and she continues to benefit from her mentors, one of whom is the President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN). In fact, she just pledged to Lambda Psi Nu, a professional sorority affiliated with the NALPN.Advice for SuccessMonique had a \u201creally, really good experience\u201d at Prism Career Institute. Her advice to prospective Practical Nursing program students? \u201cIf you feel like this is your goal, do not give up no matter what happens, and strive for your goal. Put in the work and you\u2019ll get back your reward,\u201d she says.Are you interested in a nursing career? Graduates of the Nursing Program at Prism Career Institute are working in medical clinics, nursing homes, government agencies, doctor offices, and outpatient care centers, just to mention a few. Contact Prism Career Institute today, talk to an admissions representative, and get started on your new career."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Career Success Story: Nursing Program","item":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/career-success-story-nursing-program\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]