Jones retires after more than two decades

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
As they say, all good things must come to an end, and after 26 years of service with Weston County Health Services, Carole Jones, RN, is saying goodbye to the health care facility on Sept. 6. Her retirement party will be on Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria. 
Jones started working for WCHS in 1994 in the dietary department, helping nursing home residents and hospital patients with their dietary needs. Later on, she became the activities director for the Weston County Manor, planning activities for the residents to have fun and socialize. 
While serving as activities director, Jones put herself through school, graduating as a licensed practical nurse in 1998 and receiving her associate degree as an RN in 1999. Jones’ career at the local hospital has been multifaceted, and she has worked in several different departments through the years. Currently, she’s a night shift nurse at the hospital and also works in acute care. She is also certified as an emergency room nurse and is the trauma coordinator, a position she’s held since 2011. 
“I count it a privilege and an honor to be able to serve our community,” Jones said, noting her natural tendency toward caregiving as a woman. Putting formal training behind that to take it to the next level in caring for people was a desire of hers, she said. 
Working at the hospital is more than just a job, Jones said, and the atmosphere is just like “one big family,” with “very little turnover.” 
Jones said she is fascinated by the continuing improvements in health care, and she noted all the ways that care is now streamlined — from a 20-minute flight to the hospital in Rapid City to a new vein finder that allows IVs and blood draws to be done more quickly and accurately. 
“She’s very passionate about her patients and what’s best for (them),” said Piper Allard, director of patient services at WCHS. Allard has been a coworker of Jones since 2002. 
Jones works hard to care for each and every patient the best that she can, according to Allard, and always tries to stay up to date on her knowledge and training. 
Angie Phillips, an infection control/employee health nurse at the hospital, said that Jones is a role model in patient care, interaction and compassion. 
“She defines the word ‘caregiver,’” Phillips said. 
Not only did Jones go above and beyond for her patients, but she was also “instrumental in community,” Phillips said. Jones was part of the Employees Matter Committee at the hospital, and she always played a huge role in events such as parades, the Back to School Bash and other events. Jones was always the one decorating the hospital building for holidays such as Christmas and the 4th of July, and she’d even get her patients Christmas and birthday gifts. 
“She’s had an impact on every one of us that have worked with her,” Phillips said.
Many life experiences have shaped Jones into who she is today — a hard worker, family focused and God fearing, Jones said. 
Born in Massachusetts, she moved around a lot because her father was in the Air Force, which is why Jones strongly supports the nation’s military. Throughout her life, she’s worked several jobs and has done “a little bit of everything,” Jones said. 
Jones has often worked multiple jobs at once, even in her time at the hospital. As the night shift nurse, she works a set of days and gets a set of days off, she said, and she picks up shifts at other hospitals on some of her days off. 
Jones is also “happily married,” she said. She and her husband, Michael, have been married for 16 years. Jones has six kids, and Michael has one, so together they have quite a large family. The couple has 24 grandchildren. 
Jones chuckled.
“It’s pretty awesome,” she said. 
Now that she is retiring, Jones said she plans to get her commercial driving license and drive truck over the road with her husband. The couple owns their own semi truck, so they’re planning on hauling freight, seeing the countryside and visiting family.