title: Changing the Impact of Nursing Assistants' Education in Seniors' Care: the Living Classroom in Long-Term Care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence-informed care to support seniors is based on strong knowledge and skills of nursing assistants (NAs). Currently, there are insufficient NAs in the workforce, and new graduates are not always attracted to nursing home (NH) sectors because of limited exposure and lack of confidence. Innovative collaborative approaches are required to prepare NAs to care for seniors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2009 collaboration between a NH group and a community college resulted in the Living Classroom (LC), a collaborative approach to integrated learning where NA students, college faculty, NH teams, residents, and families engage in a culture of learning. This approach situates the learner within the NH where knowledge, team dynamics, relationships, behaviours, and inter-professional (IP) practice are modelled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As of today, over 300 NA students have successfully completed this program. NA students indicate high satisfaction with the LC and have an increased intention to seek employment in NHs. Faculty, NH teams, residents, and families have increased positive beliefs towards educating students in a NH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LC is an effective learning approach with a positive and high impact learning experience for all. The LC is instrumental in contributing to a capable workforce caring for seniors.
authors.affiliation: Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Kitchener, ON; Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, ON; Schlegel Villages, Kitchener, ON.
authors.forename: Veronique M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Boscart
authors.affiliation: Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, ON.
authors.forename: Josie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: d'Avernas
authors.affiliation: Schlegel Villages, Kitchener, ON.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Kitchener, ON.
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raasok
keywords: education; gerontology; integrated learning; long-term care; nursing assistants; nursing home; residents; seniors