I think it is great that she and others get to pursue the nursing program, however I think it is unfair they get to jump right into it when other people have been on the waiting list for 2 yrs and now have to wait even longer. Anyone tell me how that is fair???

Good story. Don't just sit on your ass and hope the plant will get another product. It will not happen. Follow this lady's lead! And make sure you are picking a major that is in high demand, the local economy in Janesville is worse than other places so you need all the advantages you can get.

I'm in clinicals. When you get into the nursing program you start clinicals. They tell you when you start, what classes you are taking and when you take the classes.

Kleeg - well written!

sewaelizebeth: There isn't a wait list to get into the nursing program, but there is a waiting list to get into clinicals.

localboy- it's because it's money driven. Anything people do in life that is strictly money driven will become stale. When money becomes one's purpose, no amount is ever enough because being an employee has a ceiling in regards to what you can earn. However, when people do what they do because they have a passion for it, there is never a ceiling because they constantly strive to make it better and love the challenge.

Most people who are miserable at their place of employment, are miserable people who will never be happy at whatever they do. That is why it is called a "job". It isn't meant to be fun time, but efforts for pay.

JimPl,
I see your point, believe me I do. What I am saying is that for every disposed GM worker that is griping, there is equally as many people on the outside world looking in with their own griping. I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong here. I'm certainly not qualified to judge anyone here! My thing is, rather than take the approach you did, why not take the approach that people like KLEEJ did and keep it positive? We can still get our point across without "stereotyping" the entire GM workforce. I agree with you though, that there are those who choose to be bitter than get better. Those people exist everywhere, not just GM! I as well put my time in at GM and got caught up in the money part and lost focus of what's important. I was blessed enough to get a much needed wake up call and chose to move on before the ship sank. Not everyone was blessed to have that come their way. I realize big time that it's not that I'm any smarter or better than anyone, I've just been blessed. Therefore, because I know where I've came from, I'm choosing to have "empathy" towards these people. Not "sympathy".
I also agree that our society seems to always want a "hand out" when it serves people better to get a "hand up". I hope this gives you some perspective as to where I'm coming from. I appreciate your posts immensely by the way!

matthew516, I'm not quite sure I understand what you're trying to tell me? But, let me clarify my opinion on the GM matter. I'm sick to death of hearing how all these hundreds of employees are being left high and dry with the closing of the plant. For how long now has it been fairly well known that GM was doing poorly? For how long now has it been common knowledge the plant is closing? Yet, rather than take action to find new employment, training, or education, I read daily here and elsewhere how the soon to be displaced employees are just griping. I don't argue the point that most of the GM employees are darn hard workers. No question about that. But, it is an unfortunate fact that the rest of American companies aren't run like GM. The ridiculously high wages, the golden parachute benefits packages, those just aren't feasible in the real world. From what I've read, these employees have been given a wealth of opportunities to do something productive with this change in their lives. Stop b*&%#ing and do something about it.

JimPl,
No offense here, but, why the potshots at people? It involves change. Our society is taught by the garbage media that change isn't necessary. Just stay the same and keeping falling deeper in the hole. People are born genius' and taught to be ignorant. We're all a product of our environment. What good does it do to come in here and act like you've got all the answers like you're above all of this?
I'm not saying this to be mean here, but, when does it end? If we all went out into our communities everyday and made a conscious effort to say or do something of a positive nature, this world would be a much better place. Much like KLEEJ, I'm as guilty as the next person about being the professional opinionist! It's called foolish pride. I choose to practice humility these days over pride. Keeps a person real and who knows, by doing that on a daily basis, we just might be able to create a ripple effect for others to follow as well!

Wait. You mean there is a GM worker out there who, rather than sit and complain about having to reenter the "real world," has decided to do something constructive about it? Wow. Maybe there's hope for the rest of those "displaced workers" after all....

cheesechick~
You are absolutely right. We live in a society where it's too cool to have someone's back. It's much easier to condemn than criticize someone! There are those who get wrapped up in self pity and expect things to just fall into their laps. Welcome to the real world. I was one of the "mockers" before I got into GM 10 years ago. I had no problem voicing my opinions. I had no clue what I was talking about until I worked there. You'll get no arguments that the wages are high above average, but, people do actually work down there. Some abuse what they have, but, the majority busted tail. Same applies to the world outside GM. After working at GM for those 10 years and complaining about it everyday I was there, I decided to make a career change. Definately a move I've never regretted, yet, most of the people who were supposed to be my so called "friends" chose to mock the move and voice their undeducated opinions about it. Why is that?? Easy answer, your true friends stand by you and wish you the best. Your false friends are afraid to see you succeed in something they didn't have the courage to step out and do. It's a fact of life. If you keep doing the same things that got you to where you don't really want to be, try doing something different! Something you love. When you can make the passion for the job your driving force, you've found the right career! Anything that's money driven, will become a burden. That's why this country is so stressed out. People hate their jobs and much of those jobs they once hated are gone now! I worked with Molly at the GM plant and I could see it in her eyes she was destined for something more! I'm really happy to see her step out and make it happen! We all have the ability to do that! God bless!

Oh...and Happy Birthday, Donny & Jamie!!!

sttld... (or whatever you call yourself)Molly did NOT come in right off the street. She has an Associates Degree--she's even in the Who's Who of American colleges and Universities. She has a background in the health profession--she worked as an x-ray tech for as long as she worked at G.M. She continued her continuing education to keep her certification in case this happened. She's wanted to get back into the Health Care field for as long as I've known her. Her pay and health benefits at G.M. were more than what she received as an x-ray tech. You people amaze me...you hate/bash us when we're working, you do the same when we get laid off, and do it even more when we try to pull ourselves up by the bootstrings so we don't have to settle for a minimum wage job. You just want us to fail...admit it!

FYI - There are other jobs in health care besides nursing. Check out the allied health care jobs. There is projected to be staffing shortages in all allied health care fields.

'BTC has its own nursing program that anyone can apply to, but only dislocated workers can qualify for the LPN program. That’s because the state Dislocated Worker program is paying for it, said Ann Marie Krause, dean of health, human and protective services at BTC.'

This LPN class is funded by the dislocated workers program. If you have waited to get into clinicals and these people get right in-it's because it's two different programs. There is no wait list any longer for the nursing program by the way. I went to school part time, got my generals done and now I'm graduating in May after 5 years. It's been a long road. I wish nothing but the best for the people entering the LPN program-no sour grapes here. And as far as wanting to see how many of them graduate in the end-i worked at GM in the summer (for 6 months actually) and i don't know why you'd question the workers ability to get through the program. There are some smart people working there. If you question that I think it makes you ignorant for flapping your lips without anything to back it up.
Good luck displaced workers! It's going to be a lot of hard work but I know you're used to that.

I'm glad to hear someone taking advantage of an opportunity. The nursing program at BTC is backed up for about 3 years. I know this, because my wife has been waiting that long. She opted to take the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant not CNA Certified Nursing Assistant) program in the meantime and has since started working in that field. It pays between 12-15 dollars per hour. It's tricky between classifications. The CMA program is about a year long depending on how many generals you need. The lines between RN's, LPN's, and CMA's are blurry. Many of their duties overlap. Most Mercy clinics use CMA's and RN's. RN's are qualified to administer medications. LPN's typically don't do as much administrative work as CMA's, but are qualified for other duties not covered by CMA's. The trick is to see where the demand is. In recent years, I've seen more demand for CMA's and RN's, but almost all medical jobs are fairly easy to come by.

I agree...When I attended Blackhawk I waited 3 years on that waiting list before I was accepted for clinicals. I would be upset too if I was affected by this new "separate LPN program only for GM workers." I would be interested to see how many of them actually graduate in the end.

Molly, Good for you! Being let go from GM doesn't have to be a bad thing! It's only bad if WE let it be! Life goes on regardless of GM or any other company so why be down and focus on the negative that comes out of it. The people who choose the Better over Bitter plan will prosper. The one's who are having a hard time with that approach, I certainly understand it because it's change. Especially for those who have invested so many years in GM that are caught between a rock and a hard place. Trust me, the same principle applies to you too. Don't dwell on the things that are out of your control and focus on what you can control! YOU! Remember, if a "stubborn" person like me can change, anyone can do it! God bless all of you during this time of transition in your lives.

moose, I agree with you. sttldwnjvl -- working at GM is far from the "easy route". I have a husband with a herniated disk in his back (that he's going to have to live with for the rest of his life) to prove that the work is far from easy.

sttdwnjvl-With your lack of compasion, and frustration, maybe nursing isn't a good career choice for you.

I personally think that this is bs. I have been on a waiting list for the nursing program for over 2 years now and these people just get to come off the street to do almost the same thing. I'm sorry but I have planned for my future and part of it was education. These people chose to take the easy route and go to GM. This makes me very frustrated.

You are kidding right????

Hey...I am doing the same thing! How come I didn't get a story done about me?