After graduating from Chilhowie High School in 2013, Laken Widener began classes at Radford University. After her first semester, she knew that was not the right path for her, so she decided to return home to take prerequisite classes at Virginia Highlands Community College until she figured out which major she wanted to take. The nursing program sparked her interest, especially labor and delivery. She learned about Job Corps during a presentation at the college and enrolled.
“If it wasn’t for Blue Ridge, I’m not sure I would have made it in the nursing program,” Laken said. “Due to the strenuous struggle of studying and clinicals, I had to cut back my hours at work. Blue Ridge helped me financially, and the support that I received from the staff kept me going.”
After completing all courses required and clinical rotations at Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnston Memorial Hospital, Laken graduated with honors from Virginia Highlands Community College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. She then began working at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Va., as a medical-surgical nurse. Less than a year later, Laken landed her dream job as a registered nurse in the Family Birthing Unit.
Employer: Johnston Memorial Hospital