Shakirah Wilson is the founder of Patient-Centered Care Staffing Agency in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, which provides staffing and services to health care facilities including skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, medical offices and vaccination services. Shakirah has several degrees, including her licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (R.N.) and Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN). She’s even working toward her master’s degree in nurse practitioner (MSN).
And it all began with Job Corps.
“As long as you take that first step, you will get there. I just recommend taking your time, not comparing yourself to others.”
Shakirah had a long journey to get where she is today. When Shakirah was young, her mother was choking on a chicken bone, and Shakirah instantly knew what to do to help. Her natural instincts kicked in. Her passion and skills for health care and helping others was something she was born with.
By 14 years old, Shakirah had dropped out of school. She experienced poverty and lived in her car. By 22 years old, Shakirah had four children and was looking for a change. She went to the library and started reading a GED book to reteach herself things she had learned previously or maybe didn’t learn at all. She was looking to take the next step for her education and family.
Shakirah found out about Job Corps through a TV commercial and decided to enroll. During her time at Cleveland Job Corps, Shakirah earned her GED and trained in the Certified Nurse Assistant program. She was able to experience residential and non-residential living, which helped with spending time with her children. This is exactly what Shakirah needed at this time in her life. She also participated in a work-based learning experience gaining real-world experience at a nursing home.
After graduating from Job Corps in 2004, Shakirah moved to Kentucky. During the next several years, Shakirah acquired every level of nursing. She graduated with her LPN in 2009, moved back to Ohio in 2012 and graduated with her R.N. in 2014. She continued to work and gained great experience in management positions. In 2021, Shakirah received her bachelor’s degree in nursing and her master’s program in nurse practitioner began in August.
In February of 2020, Shakirah opened her own medical staffing agency, which keeps her very busy, along with her at-home bakery company. Shakirah needed a change and found that through Job Corps. Throughout her years of education and work experience, she gained important technical and interpersonal skills that help her to this day. Shakirah aspires to complete her master’s program, and in the future, own her own mental health practice and long-term care nursing homes.
Graduated from Job Corps in: December 2004 Employer: Founder; Patient-Centered Care Staffing Agency; Mayfield Heights, Ohio Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio Phone: 216-937-5211 Email: patientcentered@pccstaffing.com Submitted by: Becca Sweredoski