Our Students

OFRA is proud to be a teaching partner and welcomes students and their instructors/faculty to learn what it truly is to be a Home with a Heart. 

Proud Partner

OFRA is proud to be an educational partner with several colleges, high schools, and even some universities in order to provide a hands-on, real-life teaching-learning experience.

Welcoming students into our home has led to many wonderful initiatives and experiences, for the students, residents and staff. The fresh eyes of a student can bring new ideas and approaches to resident care, provide our residents with increased engagement and foster effective working relationships that can potentially translate into employment relationships.


PREP LTC Initiative

OFRA is an active member of the PREP LTC initiative, which focuses on providing the best clinical experiences for future nursing and personal care professionals as well as the hopeful recruitment of future employees within our organization. Through PREP LTC, learning opportunities are available for staff in order to provide the best preceptorship (iPrecept), and tools have been built to ensure student needs are being met in a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Our Role

Our role as a teaching home includes the following:

Orientation

  • Integrating students into the social and health care culture.
  • Familiarizing students with residents, families and the inter-professional care team.
  • Familiarizing students with our home’s mission, values, policies and procedures.
  • Fostering the observation and participation in appropriate educational opportunities.

 Advisement

  • Dedicating one on one time with a consolidating student (when the student is consolidating), and working with students who are on clinical placement in order to ensure safe and effective care provision.
  • Providing ongoing supportive, constructive feedback.

 Guidance

  • Leading by example.
  • Encouraging critical thinking and reflection.
  • Driving the clinical learning experience.
  • Supporting students to navigate conflict and identify stressors.
  • Modelling and encouraging self-care.

 Evaluation

  • Ensuring the students are meeting their placement objectives.
  • If the student is consolidating, completing reviews and evaluations with the student as per the school’s requirements.

Student Placement Opportunities

Student placement opportunities occur in a variety of roles within our organization. They include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
  • Practical Nursing (PN)
  • Personal Support Worker (PSW)
  • Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist (OTA/PTA)
  • Social Worker
  • Activity Aide
  • Recreational Therapy
  • Food Service Worker/Management
  • Environmental Services
  • Summer Students/COOP Students (high school)
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Internships (for example: Marketing, Finance & Procurement)

Will You Join Us?

OFRA Welcomes Students!

The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association (OFRA) has been a proud partner with secondary and post-secondary educational institutions for many years, mentoring between 75 and 100 students each year. We believe in the importance of supporting students who are passionate about elder care and helping to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Our nursing and personal care mentors, known as preceptors, participate in comprehensive training programs to meet the diverse learning needs of students. Their dedication helps ensure meaningful learning experiences while maintaining the highest standards of resident care.

Our long-standing partnerships with colleges, particularly Sault College, have led to the recruitment of many outstanding healthcare professionals. Several former students have gone on to build rewarding careers with OFRA for more than 20 years—including myself.

Our commitment to education continues to grow through participation in initiatives such as the Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) PREP LTC program, the Nursing PLEDGE Program, and partnerships with Ontario Health.

To our former students, we wish you continued success in your careers.

To those joining us in the future, we look forward to welcoming you to our "Home with a Heart."