Like many of her fellow CarDon staff members, Latia Jones’s career path started with caring for her own family. When her son was diagnosed with cancer, her medical education began.
“I stayed up late many nights researching his diagnosis, and I walked in to all of his appointments with a folder full of questions,” she said. “His doctor told me I was the first parent in his career who walked away with uncertainty after a diagnosis and walked back in with knowledge and understanding. He said I should become a nurse. I promised him that once my son was done with treatment and well, I would go back to school.”
CarDon and its Altenheim community made that possible for Latia, offering flexible hours and covering the cost of her education as she rose from Certified Nursing Assistant and Qualified Medication Aide to Licensed Practical Nurse and then to her current role as a Registered Nurse. She currently works the day shift, floating from skilled nursing to short and long-term rehabilitation.
What started as a mission to help her family led Latia to find a second family at Altenheim.
“Most staff members have been here a long while, and we all work well with each other,” she said. “My co-workers are team players who always show care and compassion and are always willing to help.”
Latia added that the community is full of lovable residents who “steal your heart” as well. She recalls a particular woman named Mary-Jo who “left a mark” on her.
“We had so many conversations that I will always hold onto,” she said. “I could take care of a whole building full of Mary-Jos, and in a way, I do! I have a passion for all of the people here. It’s a joy to care for them.”
