Nursing homes have cut use of agency staff by 44% since 2022, research firm says

What happened

Skilled nursing facilities have reduced their reliance on temporary agency staff by 44% since 2022, helped by a gain of nearly 41,000 workers last year, according to the research firm Staffing Industry Analysts. McKnight's Long-Term Care News reported the findings on October 30.

An SIA analyst told the publication that many nursing homes still use some agency staff, but the high cost of temporary workers is limiting how much they use. Some staffing firms have also become more cautious about working with nursing homes when payments are slow. She said Medicare's 2.4% payment increase for skilled nursing in 2027 does not fully cover rising costs, which pushes homes to focus on direct hiring and keeping the staff they have.

Certified nursing assistants, who provide much of the daily hands-on care, remain the hardest positions to fill, the analyst said, because the work is physically demanding, entry-level and low-paid. Some homes are offering tuition help and training so aides can move up to nursing roles. The firm's data also showed new registered nurse licenses fell from about 250,000 in 2023 to about 222,000 in 2025.

What it means for families

Less reliance on agency staff can mean residents see more familiar faces, since the same aides and nurses work most shifts. Staffing still varies widely from home to home, so it is worth asking about it directly when you choose a nursing home or check on a relative's care. Good questions include how often agency workers fill shifts, how long aides have worked there, and whether residents usually see the same caregivers each day.

For example: ask how many residents each aide cares for on the evening shift, and how often the same aides are assigned to your mother.

New York requires nursing homes to meet minimum staffing hours, and families can compare staffing levels for New York homes on Medicare's Care Compare website.

What to do this week

• Look up a home's staffing ratings and turnover on Medicare Care Compare.
• Ask how often agency staff fill shifts on your relative's unit.
• Ask whether the same aides are usually assigned to the same residents.

Sources

• Nursing home agency staff use slides 44 percent (McKnight's Long-Term Care News)
• Find and compare nursing homes (Medicare.gov)

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