story and photo by James Coburn, Staff Writer
Madison Jones was diagnosed with a congenital blood disorder as a 7-year-old.
“All the way to 17, I was very sick,” said Jones, an LPN serving as a charge nurse at The Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy, located in Edmond. “I was in and out of the hospital, always around nurses, surgeons, doctors. I had nurses and still remember their names and the things they did for me. And I always said I want to leave that lasting impression with someone else. I want to take care of someone the way they took care of me.”
Jones had worked in a daycare during high school, went to CNA school as an 18-year-old and fell in love with it. Her experience of being a CNA gave her an upper hand when becoming a nurse. She became more open minded in understanding the “nitty-gritty” side of nursing. (story continues below)
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She is living her dream now after graduating from nursing school at Central Oklahoma College in May. The 12-month program was a good experience for her that exposed her to different types of nursing during her clinicals, she said.
Her orientation at The Timbers was expedient, well organized, and efficient, Jones said. Everyone was super friendly to her when she was greeted by staff. She had an overwhelming feeling that she was part of a family and wanted to be part of that.
That feeling of acceptance translated well into her love of making the residents and patients in skilled nursing and nursing home feel welcomed. Jones said she especially enjoys listening to the many stories told to her by them.
“I love having that personable experience with them and just really being able to say, ‘Hi, how are you?’”
Jones enjoys coming to work where people love her for taking care of them, she said. She loves them for who they are, as well as telling her about themselves. Patience and kindness go a long way, she said.
“You need to be able to love people of all different backgrounds, shapes, sizes and colors,” Jones explained. “Just having patience and kindness for people will really take you far, not only professionally but also in life,” Jones said.
The relationships she builds with residents and the nursing staff is something she will take with her and hold onto forever, she continued. Jones said she is grateful for the regular life lessons that she has learned from the director of nurses. She admires the compassion she sees in her fellow nurses. Jones said she has seen the nursing staff, social services, and dietary department go out of their way to ensure residents have what they need.
“They all care so much about our residents, and it really shows,” she said.
She wants to continue to grow as a nurse. Jones is going back to school to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She is working toward a business degree first while she gains bedside experience as an LPN. She has enrolled at Oklahoma Southwestern State University. Ultimately, she aspires to become a nurse practitioner.
“I want to open my own practice just being patient and kind and taking my skills and just going with them,” she said. “As a nurse practitioner I want to make people feel good about themselves, but also leave a good impression with them.”
Today, she sets newly admitted residents and admissions at ease by being prepared. New residents may be under stress when leaving their homes and Jones wants to spend time with them.
“I want to ask them their name, their background and how they feel,” she said.
She will also tell them about herself. She recognizes it is normal for people to be fearful in a new environment. She continues explaining to new residents the next step of the process so there will not be any surprises.
“Just remaining calm with them and being personable with them — that really brings people at ease,” she said. “If they come with their own personal things like pictures or phone, anything like that, I always make sure that it is in front of them, and that they have those comfort items with them.”
She has a well-rounded life and loves playing with her dogs during her leisure time. She also likes to return to see her family in Kansas to hang out with her two nieces and two nephews.
“I like to go on walks. I will go to Lake Hefner and walk there.”
She also likes to bake cookies, cupcakes, and cakes when she has extra time at home. Small things like reading books bring her joy.
“I put my personal touch to it.” she said.
Jones also loves bringing her goodies to share with The Timbers staff.
For more information about Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy, visit: https://timbersok.com/
