Ontario announces career growth opportunities for PSWs, nurses in long-term care

Ontario will be investing up to $100 million to add an additional 2,000 nurses to the long-term care sector.

During an announcement early Wednesday, Minister of Long-Term Care Rod Phillips said the province will support the training of thousands of personal support workers (PSWs) and nurses who want to advance their careers in long-term care.

The province says the new jobs will be in place by 2024-25.

“Our government will soon be releasing its plan to protect the progress we have made against COVID and ensuring we have enough staff to deliver high quality care to residents is a key part of this plan,” said Phillips in a news release. “That is why we are committed to fixing long-term care, and supporting personal support workers and nurses who want to take the next step in their careers in the long-term care sector.”

The investment is part of the government’s Long-Term Care Staffing Plan, which was announced last year.

The plan focuses on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement, and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for seniors.

It commits to educate, train and help recruit tens of thousands of new health care staff through partnerships with sector partners, long-term care homes, and education and training providers so that homes can provide an average of four hours of direct care per resident per day.