This page provides an overview of the nurse role in long-term care based on the information given to us by nurses in the field and the sources outlined below. The role of a nurse will vary based on the long-term home and region. For a more comprehensive picture of this role, visit the nurse association information links below. This page is part of our Careers in Long-Term Care Initiative.
What does a nurse do?
Nurses in long-term care (LTC) give clinical support to residents by delivering curative, supportive, rehabilitative and palliative care using a person-centred approach.
On any given day, nurses in LTC:
- create and give health promotion and prevention services
- document resident health
- look for changes in health
- work with residents and their loved ones to create personal care plans
Various clips used in this video were filmed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection control practices (such as wearing a mask) may be shown.
What skills will I use?
- Interpersonal communication
- Active listening
- Empathy
- Perceptiveness
- Self-direction
- Flexibility
- Advocacy
- Teamwork and collaboration
How do I become an LTC nurse?
Different pathways to nursing in LTC exist but all nurses in LTC require training at the college or university levels, which will include coursework and practical experience. Depending on how much education you want to take, the title of your nursing role and the type of work you are trained for will vary. You need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing to work as a Registered Nurse, while Registered Practical Nurses require a college diploma.
Visit ontariocolleges.ca and OntarioUniversitiesInfo.ca to learn more about nursing programs in Ontario.
Related careers
- PSW
- Registered Practical Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Director of Care
Connect to nursing associations
Sources
-
- Ontario Nurses Association. A Portrait of Long-Term Care Nurses. (web page)
- Canadian Nurse (2011). In it for the long-term. (web article).
Acknowledgements
This profile was reviewed by a LTC nurse in Ontario.
The webpage is part of the Ontario CLRI at RIA’s Careers in Long-Term Care Initiative
