Nursing PLEDGE
Growing Nursing Excellence in LTC—One Mentor at a Time
Project led by:
The long-term care sector in Ontario is facing a nursing shortage, with forecasts indicating a need to recruit and retain more than 1,800 RPNs and RNs by 2027-28.
The Nursing Partnership for Learning, Employment, Development, Growth, and Experience (Nursing PLEDGE) is an initiative funded by the Ministry of Long-Term Care that addresses challenges around nursing recruitment and retention by establishing robust mentorship programs and leadership support within Long-Term Care (LTC) homes.
Enhance and build upon the thriving, supportive environment for registered practical nurses, registered nurses, or nurse practitioners in your LTC home.
What does your LTC homes’ participation in Nursing PLEDGE look like?
LTC home signs up to participate in the mentorship program. LTC homes receive additional funding to support starting up/coordinating the program.
LTC home identifies experienced nurses who could act as mentors. Experienced nurses receive up to $39,000 per year in stipends to support their dedicated mentorship (Ontario Health led)
Mentors participate in mentorship training.
Once training is complete, mentors provide support and coaching to new recruits and to existing nurses. New nurses receive an average of 15 hours/week of mentorship.
Mentors have access to virtual supports (i.e., Community of Practice).
How is Nursing PLEDGE divided between the Ontario CLRI and Ontario Health?
The Ontario CLRI and Ontario Health each play a critical role in ensuring Nursing PLEDGE supports new and experienced nurses in the LTC sector.
Coordination Support, Backfill Support and Community of Practice
Nursing PLEDGE will provide LTC homes with financial support to implement a mentorship program, including coordination support, backfill funding to cover the time nurse mentors spend mentoring and for mentees, and mentorship education resources.
The Ontario CLRI will also develop and launch a Community of Practice for nursing mentors and mentees in LTC. This Community of Practice will be a virtual network that fosters continuous learning, collaborative problem-solving, professional development, and networking among participants.
Nursing Stipend
Through the program, experienced nurses who take on the role of nurse mentors in LTC homes are eligible for financial stipends for the time they spend providing dedicated mentorship to nursing mentees. The stipend portion of the Nursing PLEDGE program will be delivered by Ontario Health (OH).
What are the benefits of participation?
All LTC homes are encouraged to enroll in Nursing PLEDGE. Through the process, you will be asked to register nurse mentors and mentees.
Your participation will help your LTC home in the following ways:
- For nurse mentors: Nursing PLEDGE recognizes and rewards the expertise of our experienced nurses. By providing dedicated time and backfill support, the program empowers established nursing staff to step into leadership roles, share their invaluable knowledge, and shape the next generation of nursing professionals.
- For mentees: This program offers new and existing nurses a supported pathway to excellence. Through 1:1 coaching and skill-building with seasoned nurse mentors, mentees gain the confidence, clinical competence, and personalized development to thrive in the LTC environment, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
- For the LTC home and its residents: By ensuring every nurse is supported by a strong network of knowledge, we can directly enhance the quality of care delivered to older adults. A supported nurse is an empowered caregiver, leading to better resident outcomes and a compassionate environment where older adults in LTC can flourish.
Note: Applications will be accepted and approved by the Ontario CLRI at the RIA within the program’s available budget.
Do you have questions about the program?
Check out our FAQs page or email nursingpledge@the-ria.ca
Nursing PLEDGE is funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care and led by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA).
