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.
Personal Support Worker students pose for a class photo at Herzing College in Ottawa (2019)
Updated January 2023
Looking for a health care career that doesn't require years of training, but allows you to make a huge difference in people's lives? Becoming a personal support worker (PSW) could be your ideal choice.
You can earn a PSW diploma in just nine months. By the time you graduate, you'll have all the skills needed to get hired at a hospital, long-term care facility, or home-care company.
Photo: Personal Support Worker students pose for a class picture at Herzing College (2019)
Updated January 2023
What's inspiring you to become a personal support worker (PSW)? In our experience working with PSW students, there's usually a couple of key reasons people gravitate toward this career.
One is the high demand for PSWs in Ontario and throughout many parts of Canada. If you're looking for a stable health care career, this is an excellent choice. Our aging population is expected to continue creating jobs for PSWs well into the future.
Another top motivator is the one-to-one time personal support workers get to spend with clients. If you're looking for more than "just a job" and want to make a real connection with people, PSW is the obvious choice.
But, like all careers, becoming a personal support worker comes with certain challenges. What should you know before you invest in training, and start down this path?
Take a look at the most common pros and cons of working as a personal support worker, and see if this role is right for you.
Updated January 2023
Inspired to begin a career in health care? Looking at your local training options?
Many students are attracted to personal support worker (PSW) training because of the direct focus on patient care, flexible work schedules, and high level of demand across Canada for PSWs. Students also like this program because it's quite short (usually less than 12 months) and is an excellent entry point for other health care careers, such as nursing.
Thinking you might enrol in PSW training this year? Before you sign up for a program, take some time to consider what it takes to succeed in this field, the skills you'll focus on in training, and your local job prospects.
Read on to make sure you're a good fit for the PSW career path.
Updated January 2023
There are so many factors that can influence our relationship with food as we age. For example, while caring for seniors after PSW training, you will meet patients who have lost their sense of smell and taste, making mealtime far less appealing.
