There have been calls today to increase the number of RNs and NPs in LTC. Here's the deal: one of the reasons we don't have more is because these nurses typically don't want to work there. #Ageism doesn't start in adulthood, it starts in childhood.

Almost 20 years ago I did a pan-Canadian survey of nursing schools + education about nursing care of older adults. At that time, only 5% of graduating students expressed an interest in working with older people. Has anything changed?

In Canada, we have outstanding nursing faculty who are world-class in our teaching and research about nursing care of older adults. But we face an uphill battle in terms of ensuring that programs have stand-alone courses in gero nursing, placements are appropriate, cont'd

clinical instructors who are passionate about gero nursing are hired and supported, preceptorships are available and desirable(!) in LTC. We have shifted our staffing models over time because, quite frankly, the discipline of nursing is soaked in ageism just like broader society.

So nursing leaders - if you are going to call for increases in RNs and NPs in #LTC look upstream and support and CELEBRATE excellence in this area. Dedicate bursaries, scholarships, small research grants, internships & other signals that this is an appealing specialty.