The Joe Warner Teaching Nursing Home was designed to engage nursing students in mentoring activities that would increase their awareness of and desire for career opportunities in long-term care settings. These activities focused on teaching, learning and research experiences. Crucial to the success of the experiences was developing a team of registered nurses committed to care of the older adult who would serve as role models and mentors to the students. A master's prepared nurse was hired for the project to provide role modeling excellence in care of older adults, and expertise as it related to curriculum, clinical work, mentoring and recruitment activities. Other key project staff members were the nursing home liaisons who were chosen at each of the four participating nursing homes. The liaisons worked closely with the master's prepared nurse to create positive clinical environments for nursing, serve as positive role models within the nursing home setting, facilitate project activities within the nursing homes, and assist with bridging academia and practice. The master's prepared nurse, the liaisons and nursing faculty collaborated in planning for student activities. An example of these activities included development of Summer Externship/Independent Study opportunities for students to travel with faculty members to a nationally known geriatric center (practice/education-based) and research an area of interest. Virtual Grand Rounds with case study application and a nationally known speaking event was co-sponsored with the local STTI chapter. The speaker visited classrooms and talked with students about research initiatives in long-term care. Another unique activity was a Long-Term Care Career Fair and Seminar in which nursing homes across the state showcased their organizations and geriatric experts presented their work.