Xen Chandler Pursues Nursing Career Through Assistance of OhioMeansJobs Stark & Tuscarawas Counties

Xen Chandler was a student in the Practical Nursing Program at Portage Lakes Career Center when they visited OhioMeansJobs in Stark County for a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act training orientation. Seeking assistance to cover training costs, Xen met with Employment Services Professional DJ Milburn, and was approved for workforce-funded training assistance.

Despite a background in creative writing and the arts, Xen struggled to find stable employment and decided to pursue a more reliable career in nursing, inspired by their mother, an LPN. This decision aligned with Xen’s nurturing nature and promised a secure future.

Xen completed their training and received a Certificate of Completion from Portage Lakes Career Center on May 24, 2023. They passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on July 31, 2023, and soon after, began working as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Aultman Hospital on August 8, 2023, earning $21.04 per hour. By 2024, Xen secured a new position with a new employer, working 36 hours a week at $30.00 per hour!