St. Lawrence College Awarded Research Grant to Address Long-Term Care Nursing Shortages

St. Lawrence College (SLC) is proud to announce two of its faculty have been awarded a prestigious research grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). The funding will support a province-wide project aimed at changing perceptions of nursing careers in the long-term care sector.  

Co-led by Dr. Andrea Rochon and Julie Dyke, Professors in the School of Nursing, this three-year initiative entitled, Shaping Positive Perceptions of Long-Term Care: Linking Educational Innovations with Social Media Strategies to Inspire Future Nurses, aims to address the critical shortage of nurses in Canada’s long-term care (LTC) sector.  

The project will develop a model to enhance nursing student placements in LTC homes with Nursing and Marketing students from SLC and other colleges playing a central role in the research, data collection, social media campaign development, and knowledge dissemination. 

“This project is about changing the narrative around long-term care,” said Julie Dyke. “By improving clinical placement experiences and using peer-driven social media strategies, we hope to inspire the next generation of nurses to see LTC as a rewarding and vital career path.” 

Dr. Rochon emphasized the impact that this project will have on the communities across the province. “This grant represents a significant investment in our nursing students, long-term care homes, and our communities. Our focus is centered around encouraging deeper student engagement, enhancing skill development, and building confidence in working in the long-term care sector.” 

The initiative is a collaboration between SLC, the Bruyère Health Research Institute, Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI), PREP-LTC, the Ontario LTC Association (OLTCA), AdvantAge Ontario, and several LTC homes across southeastern Ontario including Providence Manor and Dundas Manor.  

“We are proud to collaborate with SLC on this forward-thinking initiative,” said Meredith Kerr, Director, Ontario CLRI. “This project not only supports our mission to enhance education and innovation in long-term care but also aligns closely with the goal to connect LTC homes with the post-secondary education sector to create enriched clinical placement opportunities for PSW and nursing students.” 

"By reshaping how students experience LTC and how the public perceives it, this project has the potential to change the future of care, starting with the next generation of nurses," said Donna Duncan, CEO, Ontario Long Term Care Association.  
  
This project is one of 26 across Canada selected for CCSIF funding, and the first time SLC faculty have been awarded the grant, highlighting SLC’s leadership in applied research and community impact. 

LTC homes or Schools of Nursing interested in participating, please contact the research team at LTCStudy@sl.on.ca.   

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