Kelly Quirk

Kelly Quirk lives in Belleville, Illinois, about 30 minutes east of St. Louis. She always knew she wanted a career in healthcare, but her first steps took her in a different direction. After earning a bachelor’s degree in health science from the University of Missouri, she spent several years on the administrative side of the industry. It was steady work, but it never felt like the right fit. She found herself drawn to the direct care side of healthcare, wanting to be where patients are and where help is needed most.

An unexpected nudge helped her take the leap. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital had posted an article in the newspaper about its apprenticeship program. Kelly’s grandmother saw it and immediately thought of her. Kelly trusted that instinct, applied, and soon found herself moving from healthcare administration into hands-on patient care.

Why Registered Apprenticeship?

For Kelly, the design of apprenticeship made the decision feel possible. The training was fast moving and practical, lasting about seven to eight weeks, with the state certification exam shortly after. She also appreciated the financial stability built into the model. Getting paid during training mattered, especially for someone balancing the realities of adult life while pursuing a new credential.

Just as important, the apprenticeship helped her believe she could do it. Like many career changers, her biggest early hurdle was confidence. She questioned whether she was making the right decision and whether she was capable of succeeding. The support she received from Midwest Career Source staff and instructors helped quiet that doubt. She describes the experience as hands-on, encouraging, and fundamentally different from feeling alone in a traditional classroom setting.

Learning in the Real Environment

Kelly completed her apprenticeship through Midwest Career Source in Belleville, with training held at nearby HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. That setting made a difference. Instead of learning in the abstract, she gained exposure to hospital operations, expectations, and culture while building clinical skills. By the time she completed the program, she felt prepared for what came next because she had already seen what the floor demanded and what strong patient care looks like in real time.

That early immersion created a smoother transition into employment. The hospital already knew her, had seen how she interacted with patients, and understood what she could do. For Kelly, that familiarity made the step into a CNA role feel natural and confident.

A Career Ladder That Kept Climbing

Kelly stayed in a CNA role for about a year after completing the apprenticeship, then took the next step and enrolled in nursing school at a community college. She graduated in May and is now a registered nurse, still at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

She credits apprenticeship with opening doors she did not expect to open so quickly. It gave her a starting point, a professional network, and a sense of belonging in the hospital environment. It also helped her build momentum. Each step made the next one feel more achievable.

Benefits for Employers and Communities

Kelly sees clear benefits for employers. Apprenticeship helps hospitals develop a pipeline of workers who understand expectations, culture, and patient care standards from the start. It also supports retention, because apprentices are not simply hired into a job. They are welcomed into a learning model that builds commitment, readiness, and pride.

From a community standpoint, the impact shows up in patient care. Kelly loves working with people and meeting patients from every background, especially when they are having one of the hardest days of their lives. She takes that responsibility seriously and leaves work feeling accomplished because she knows she helped make someone’s stay a little better.

Looking Ahead

For now, Kelly is focused on growing into her RN role and becoming the best nurse she can be. She knows there are more options ahead, including continued education, but she is taking this chapter one day at a time. She is grateful she listened when opportunity showed up in an unexpected place and proud of where that decision led.

“Just go for it. I was in that position, doubting myself, and I completed the apprenticeship and kept going. Now I have RN behind my name, and I love what I do.”
— Kelly Quirk