Latoya Thompson: A Passion for Patient Care and Mental Health Advocacy
Latoya Thompson has always had a natural inclination for helping others, a quality that led her to pursue a career in healthcare. After graduating as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) with honours in 2011, she felt inspired to expand her knowledge and abilities. Her success in the PSW program, coupled with her passion for patient care, encouraged her to take the next step—becoming a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). In 2018, she graduated from Humber College as an RPN, marking the beginning of an impactful nursing career.
Latoya’s experience in healthcare spans more than a decade. She has worked in Long-Term Care (LTC), Retirement Care, Acute Care, Community Care, Bedside Care, Clinical Care, and now, Mental Health/Substance Use. Her first role in LTC, despite her initial hesitation, proved to be an invaluable experience. “It’s funny because I always told myself I would never work in Long-Term Care, but that’s where I started out, and I loved it,” she recalls. “[Older Ontarians] have the best stories.”
Currently, Latoya works in Community Care as an RPN at the Jean Tweed Centre, where she has been for the past two years. The Centre provides support, services, and a safe space for women facing substance use, gambling, and mental health challenges. Her job is deeply patient-focused, and she prides herself on taking a holistic, client-centered approach. “I can do more than just help people with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs); I can make sure they receive the right medications, advocate for them, and do so much more beyond patient care,” she explains.
Latoya’s transition into Mental Health nursing was inspired by her personal experiences and encouragement from a friend who struggled with mental health issues. She quickly realized that her empathetic nature and strong communication skills made her well-suited for this field. Her dedication and outstanding contributions recently earned her WeRPN’s 2024 Award of Excellence in Mental Health—an honour that took her by surprise. “I work very hard, but it’s just nice to be recognized and to see that others acknowledge the work that I’ve done and my compassion for [both my clients and colleagues],” she says modestly.
Dedication and Daily Responsibilities
Latoya’s role at the Jean Tweed Centre involves working with clients in the withdrawal management program for substance use. She advocates for her clients and provides in-patient support while they undergo withdrawal through non-medical detox. Over a three-week period, clients learn about recovery in a supportive environment. As a lifelong learner, Latoya continuously expands her knowledge, benefiting from her colleagues, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and counsellors who offer guidance in the realm of mental health and substance use.
Her training in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and the Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) enables her to de-escalate unsafe behaviours and approach patients with care and understanding. In her work, she assesses clients, intervenes when necessary, and collaborates with NPs who provide medical support.
Challenges and Self-Care
Being an empathetic nurse comes with challenges, and Latoya acknowledges that absorbing the emotional weight of her clients’ stories can be difficult. However, she has learned the importance of self-care. “You really have to take time for yourself on your days off—even if it’s just 15 minutes to go for a walk, read a book, take a nice long bath, or talk to family or friends—it’s necessary to re-center yourself and not risk taking the worries of work home with you,” she advises.
Her office is filled with sentimental notes and cards from clients who have expressed their gratitude for her care. These reminders serve as motivation and reinforce the positive impact she has on the lives of those she helps.
The Future of Nursing and Advice for Aspiring Nurses
Latoya is passionate about improving the nursing profession and believes that increased support and continuous education can help retain nurses. “I believe focusing more on supporting staff and offering continuous education would help increase the retention of nurses,” she states. “I feel that nurses are more inclined to stay where they’re learning and growing.” She also highlights the importance of peer support in boosting morale and encouraging nurses to remain in the profession.
Latoya shares with aspiring nurses the same words of encouragement she gives her clients: “I always tell [them] to keep their heads held high and be proud of how far they’ve come. You’re on this journey for a reason, so keep pushing, seek support, always reach out for support whenever you need it, be the best you can be, and let yourself flourish.”
Looking Ahead
Latoya credits her father for instilling her strong work ethic—a lesson she remains deeply grateful for. “He always said, ‘Education is the key to success, and learning never stops,'” she recalls. Looking to the future, Latoya is considering going back to school to become a Registered Nurse (RN) so that she can further expand her role in healthcare. She also dreams of one day opening her own medical clinic to support her community. “I’m happy, glad, ecstatic to be a nurse,” she says. “Helping others brings joy to my life and has given me a more positive perspective on the healthcare system, particularly in the Mental Health sector.”
She firmly believes that additional resources and stronger advocacy efforts would help improve mental health services. “The clients touch your heart in a way you don’t even realize. We’re there to impact their lives, but they actually impact ours.”
With her passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her clients, Latoya Thompson continues to make a meaningful difference in the field of mental health nursing—one client at a time.
