Jamie knew she wanted to help people; wanted to become a nurse. However, in the many roles she had before joining our team, something was missing. Jobs in assisted living, mental health, and hospitals – they were almost there, but it wasn’t until she discovered long-term care that it all clicked.
Driving past our Fremont community, Jamie spotted an ad for open nursing roles. Not satisfied in the job she had at the time, she took a chance and joined our team as a 3rd shift licensed professional nurse (LPN). Only recently receiving her nursing certification, this meant a big jump in responsibilities.
It wasn’t long before she knew she found the right place.
From the first day I worked here, I knew that long-term care was my calling.
- Jamie S., RN, LNHA
the missing piece
Thus started a journey that spanned over 20 years, where Jamie absorbed and learned as much as she could “like a sponge” with each role. In her first role, she quickly gained confidence in her knowledge, abilities, and sense of self. Then, moving to 2nd shift, she took on a more supervisory role, learning how to set expectations and hold staff accountable.
By the time Jamie moved into a minimum data set (MDS) nurse role, she had become familiar with the processes and close with the team at Fremont – moving on to discovering the many ways our other communities operated. The lessons she learned, she took back to homebase. This period was also when she returned to school and earn her registered nurse (RN) license.
I love learning. I learned about coding, reimbursement, deep dives into care planning … I feel these things helped build my knowledge base for future endeavors.
- Jamie S., RN, LNHA
Transitioning to leadership
2020 was a challenging year for everyone in healthcare. Still, Jamie pursued courses to earn her nursing home administrator (NHA) license. At the time, she was serving as Director of Nursing (DON), a role she held from 2016 to 2024, where she continued to strengthen her leadership skills by training employees, working with state surveyors, and building strong relationships across her community.
It was a rewarding, if challenging, time.
Jamie wasn’t sure if she would ever put her NHA license to use after receiving it. At least not until the end of 2024, when her community’s administrator planned to step away from the position. With over 20 years in her Fremont community and no other applicants stepping forward, Jamie reflected on what she loved most about long-term care. The decision quickly became clear.
I love challenges, I love to learn new things, and I have always been blessed with a corporate team that has been supportive and helpful.
- Jamie S., RN, LNHA
Growth at Ciena
If one word described Jamie’s time with her community, “family” was it. With staff, residents, and family members coming together for a united cause, Jamie believes long-term care is unlike any other healthcare environment.
“When I walk down the hallways and the residents and their families know me by my first name, when they can come to me with concerns or their feelings, I know that I’ve done something right.”
And of course, the culture of long-term care extends beyond the residents. Each day, we’re committed to supporting caregivers like Jamie who give their all for residents and in their own professional development. Jamie specifically mentions our tuition reimbursement and career ladder programs, which give aspiring nurses new opportunities to grow their careers as she did.
Discover what motivates you
What motivates you in your career? For Jamie, it was the ability to feel part of something bigger, and to make meaningful connections with the people she worked with and cared for. It was about more than doing what she loved. It was about doing it in a place where that love mattered.
“Long-term care gives each employee a purpose, a chance to build, and the ability to learn. It is incredible, and I would encourage everyone I know to take a chance with it. Just like me, it might be your ‘home.’”
No background in healthcare? We have a plethora of CNA roles available for you to take your first step into a fulfilling career. Explore all our available positions below and see where you can thrive in a fulfilling health career.
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