Herzing Blog

Looking ahead to your job options after personal support worker training? Still deciding which kind of healthcare setting would best suit your particular preferences and skill set?

PSWs commonly work in clients’ private homes as well as institutional settings like nursing homes, hospitals, and retirement residences. While the work is similar in both environments, there are some unique differences students should be aware of.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of home care vs. institutional care so you can make an informed decision about which setting is best for you.

Personal support workers (PSWs) work one-on-one with patients of all ages and walks of life. They play a truly crucial role in their patients’ everyday health and well-being, helping their clients remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.

PSWs work primarily with elderly people, but they may also provide healthcare services to chronically or terminally ill individuals of varying ages. They are an essential link between patients, families, and supervising clinicians (such as nurses or doctors).

Wondering what your PSW career path might look like? We’ve got you covered. Below, we explore the various settings, specializations, and advancement possibilities for personal support workers.

Completing your personal support worker (PSW) training was the first step. But now that you’re looking to transition into the workforce, one key hurdle remains: the job interview. Preparing to face a hiring manager can be stressful, but learning about the questions you’ll likely face is a great way to calm your nerves and boost your confidence.

Questions like “why do you want to work here?” and “what are your biggest strengths?” are pretty standard for any position. And you should definitely be prepared for questions like “are you able to work shift work?” and “can you work nights and weekends?” But in this post, we’re focusing on specific PSW job interview questions that relate to what you would do in an actual job situation. Keep reading for sample questions and answers, plus extra tips on how to prepare.

Amind continuing high demand for personal support workers in Ontario, the government is relaunching a special bursary to help PSW students pay for tuition and costs during their internship. 

The Personal Support Worker Challenge Fund provides money for tuition, textbooks, and supplies, plus a stipend to support students while they’re on work placements. It debuted in 2021 and was such a success that the government is bringing it back for 2022.

Have you thought about becoming a personal support worker but didn’t think you could afford tuition? Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to get your PSW program at no cost to you. 

Keep reading to learn about eligibility requirements, important deadlines, and other key facts about the Personal Support Worker Challenge Fund. 

Updated December 2023

If you’re looking for a meaningful role that lets you help people who are struggling, a career as a social worker, community services worker (CSW), or personal support worker (PSW) could be the answer.

All three positions are about making sure vulnerable individuals get the support they need and the respect they deserve.

But what exactly do social workers, CSWs, and PSWS each do? How are the roles different, and how can you know which one would suit you best?

In this post, we explain how all three careers compare in terms of tasks, salaries, outlook, and training requirements.

Updated January 2023

Personal support workers (PSWs) play a crucial role in helping vulnerable people live their best lives. They usually work with seniors who need extra support with daily living tasks.

PSWs work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement residences, hospitals, and for companies that deliver support to seniors in their own homes. They help clients maintain their dignity, stay safe, and remain as independent as possible.

Wondering if this career path is right for you? Want to know what you'd be doing at work?

In this post, we take you through the day-to-day duties of personal support workers and explain their role in client care.

Find out what becoming a PSW is all about, and if this occupation is your true calling.

Photo: Shannon McGrath in her personal support worker uniform

After working at Tim Hortons for 18 years, Shannon McGrath was ready for a change.

She wanted a job with more meaning. She wanted a career that felt challenging, where she could actually make people's lives better.

So, despite deep fears about returning to school, Shannon took a leap of faith and enrolled in the Personal Support Worker program at Herzing College Ottawa.

She struggled with a learning disability and battled with anxiety, but in the end, Shannon made it through.

In fact, she was so successful, she was offered a PSW job after her internship at Cité Parkway Retirement Residence, where she still works today.

We interviewed Shannon to get her review of the PSW program. We asked about her experience in class and how she feels about her new career.

Read on for the full story.

Photo: Krizia Mae Macusi at Hillel Lodge where she was hired as a Personal Support Worker after graduating from Herzing last May.

Residents of Hillel Lodge, the only charitable, Jewish, faith-based long-term care facility in Eastern Ontario

As most people know, the COVID-19 crisis has been particularly stressful and dangerous for elderly citizens in long-term care facilities. 

Older people with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.  

Meanwhile, social distancing rules have also taken a toll, isolating seniors from family and friends, and restricting their participation in community activities. 

Never have we relied so heavily on the dedication, skill, and compassion of long-term health care professionals to keep our loved ones safe and well. Nurses, care home staff, and personal support workers are on the front lines of this struggle.

Pauline Hughes-Derome, Personal Support Worker student at Herzing College Ottawa

At 58 years old, Pauline Hughes-Derome figured it was too late to change careers. And at her age, she assumed going back to school wasn't even an option.

After all, she already had a stable job in accounting, years of business experience, and no reason to make a move. 

But then everything changed when her sister got cancer, and Pauline became her primary care-giver.