Paola Whelan - Welcome Back Center - Testimony - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Since arriving to the United States from Peru, the Welcome Back Center has helped me in so many ways towards my dream of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) in the U.S.

The Center provided me with the financial assistance I needed in order to take English classes at Montgomery College to improve my English language proficiency. They also assisted me with all the paperwork necessary to validate the nursing classes that I took at “Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo” in Peru. This step was very critical to pursue my RN license. Through their guidance, I was able to get my Certified Nursing Assistant license and started working at an assisted living facility in Maryland.

I would also like to thank them for their immeasurable contribution while I was preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). I was able to attend classes and access online resources that helped me to succeed in the Board exam. I worked extremely hard to achieve this dream, and I could never have done it without the overall support of the Welcome Back Center.

I am happy to say that I am now a full-time Registered Nurse at a local hospital in Maryland. I am grateful for the support that enabled me to be at the forefront in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at my full capacity.

Special thanks to my Client Assistance Specialist, Jose Amaya, the Workforce Development Coordinator, Ana Mejia and the Welcome Back Center Program Manager, Carmen Saenz!

Thank you, Welcome Back Center!!

Paola Whelan