Nursing homes
More than a third of nursing homes are shut out of the new federal nurse recruitment campaign
About 9,300 homes, or 63%, can apply to Nurses for Nursing Homes, which uses geography and shortage data rather than a home's own staffing; some low-staffed homes are left out.
Key facts
- McKnight's Long-Term Care News reported on October 25 that about 9,300 nursing homes, roughly 63% nationwide, are eligible for the federal Nurses for Nursing Homes campaign, leaving more than a third out.
- The $275 million CMS initiative, run with states, aims to recruit and retain nurses in nursing homes.
What happened
McKnight's Long-Term Care News reported on October 25 that about 9,300 nursing homes, roughly 63% nationwide, are eligible for the federal Nurses for Nursing Homes campaign, leaving more than a third out. The $275 million CMS initiative, run with states, aims to recruit and retain nurses in nursing homes.
Eligibility is based on geography and labor-shortage data, not on a home's own staffing levels or star ratings. Rural homes are broadly eligible, and some urban homes qualify through state-approved methods. As a result, not every home with one- or two-star staffing ratings qualifies, a gap McKnight's editors questioned.
What it means for families
Being eligible does not mean a home is understaffed, and being excluded does not mean it is well staffed. Families should look at each home's own numbers.
For example: a family choosing between two suburban homes might find one qualifies for the campaign and one does not, but the staffing star ratings and nurse hours per resident tell them more about daily care.
Ask homes whether they are using the program and what it changes for residents.
The campaign focuses on recruiting and keeping nurses, so any change for residents will come gradually. Homes that are excluded can still recruit on their own, and some states run separate workforce programs.
What this means in New York: some New York homes are eligible through state-approved methods. The campaign's regional partners are listed on the CMS site.
What to do this week
- Check a home's staffing star rating and nurse hours on Medicare's Care Compare.
- Ask the administrator how many nurses work nights and weekends.
- Ask whether the home has applied to Nurses for Nursing Homes.
Sources
More from Nursing homes
- Senate Democrats' report calls for nursing home ownership transparency and stronger oversight
- Nursing homes have cut use of agency staff by 44% since 2022, research firm says
- Medicare confirms daily therapy alone can qualify a nursing facility stay