(Photos Above: Johanna at work at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. Celebrating at her Climb Wyoming commencement ceremony with her daughters.)

When you’re working the “float pool” at a hospital, it means you experience something different every day, especially during a global pandemic.

Johanna, who graduated from Climb Wyoming’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program two years ago, has learned a lot about the medical field by “floating” between units at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

After several shifts in the Emergency Room, Johanna decided to get her Emergency Medical Technician license. “I work well in fast-paced, high-pressure situations,” she says. She’s also working toward her degree in nursing and will soon be starting her second semester, with her sights set on becoming a nurse practitioner.

Getting into the medical field has been a life-long goal for Johanna, who shares with current Climb participants that working as a CNA is a great way to get into a profession that can sometimes feel intimidating.

Johanna’s daughter was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, so having a stable income with health insurance, as well as medical training, has made Johanna even more grateful for her career.

“I’ve always been a compassionate person,” she says. “I take pride in the work that I do, in my patients and making sure they are safe.” Knowing she needs to stay healthy for herself and her family during the pandemic, Johanna is definitely taking extra precautions with personal protective equipment and other safety measures.

Since COVID-19, Johanna’s hours at the hospital have remained steady, which has been critical as she’s dealt with expenses related to her 9-year-old daughter’s health. Her daughter was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, so having a stable income with health insurance, as well as medical training, has made Johanna even more grateful for her career.

“Before Climb, I had been in a rough relationship and knew that if I didn’t do the program, it would be a never-ending circle of being unhappy,” Johanna recalls. “My kids are happy. I’m now in a healthy relationship. Life is good!”

Her advice to single moms in poverty: “Keep pushing—if you have the opportunity to go through a training at Climb, do it. You won’t regret it.”