A Work Without Limits
Employment Network Success Story

After several years out of the workforce due to my disability, I began looking for a job again. Pushing past anxiety, self-doubt, and chronic pain was challenging. I needed work I could sustain—and work that would help me feel productive and purposeful again.

Education

I decided to become a registered nurse and started taking online and in-person classes—just a few at a time. It took me a long time because I did it slowly, at the pace that I could handle. I had a few setbacks, a few classes that I had to retake. But I was determined. I wanted to prove everybody wrong—especially all the doctors that said I wasn’t going to live a normal life again.

Support

I called Social Security’s Ticket to Work program and was connected with Work Without Limits. There I met Angela Hurst, an Employment Network Work Incentives Counselor, who helped me every step of the way with:

• Understanding the process so I stayed in compliance and didn’t do anything wrong.
• Filling out forms and information on how to navigate the process of going back to work.
• Assisted me in assigning my Ticket to Work. 

Without Angela, I would never have been able to stay focused on working, taking care of the paperwork, and doing the things I needed to do to get back into the workforce.

Overcoming Challenges

Keeping up with the hours and schedule was challenging with my first job. Fortunately, I found a job that suits me better at Care Central VNA & Hospice Inc. I was able to work with my employer to adjust my schedule to prevent me from burning out. I have been working at Care Central for over a year now and I feel productive again!

I love working. I still have challenges, but being able to work through them has been helpful. But I’m doing it, living my dream. When I'm having a bad day, I just say to myself "You're a nurse, you've got this."

Goals

I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing education. I love my job and what I do, but it does take its toll on me physically and emotionally. Being in the field requires a lot of work. I am aging, and I would like to eventually step into an educational role to help other nurses in their careers. This master’s degree will allow me to meet teaching requirements.