Staffing continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing nursing homes, and CMS has introduced a new program to help address the problem. The CMS Nursing Home Staffing Initiative, called Nurses for Nursing Homes, offers financial incentives to recruit and retain nurses. However, according to a recent McKnight’s Long-Term Care News article, more than one-third of nursing homes do not qualify for the program. So, what does this mean for communities already struggling to find qualified nursing staff?

The $275 million initiative aims to support more than 4,000 nurses and nursing students nationwide. Eligible registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) may receive up to $40,000 in student loan repayment and/or a $10,000 stipend. In exchange, participants must commit to working at a qualifying nursing home for three years and average at least 30 hours per week. Applicants must also meet additional eligibility requirements.

Here’s where things get interesting. CMS selected qualifying nursing homes based on geographic location and workforce shortages rather than individual staffing levels. The agency included rural communities and additional areas with significant nursing shortages. However, that approach leaves approximately 37% of nursing homes outside the program, even though some may face serious staffing challenges.

According to CMS, the goal is to direct resources toward areas where recruiting nurses is particularly difficult. The agency also wants to prevent nurses from gravitating toward more attractive locations while communities with greater workforce shortages continue to struggle. CMS has published a list of qualifying nursing homes so communities can determine whether they qualify.

Another important consideration is that the program primarily targets new nursing home employees. Nurses generally cannot qualify if they worked in a nursing home during the 60 days before opening their application account. However, CMS has included a temporary exception for nurses who began working at qualifying facilities between July 28 and October 25, 2026. The agency explains these requirements and other eligibility details in its frequently asked questions.

At the end of the day, the CMS Nursing Home Staffing Initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen the nursing workforce, but it doesn’t reach every community. Staffing challenges don’t disappear simply because a nursing home falls outside a designated geographic area. And while financial incentives may help attract nurses, retaining qualified staff requires more than money alone.

Have you checked to see whether your community qualifies? If so, are you sharing this opportunity with potential nursing candidates? If your community doesn’t qualify, what strategies are you using to recruit and retain nursing staff? Remember, staffing isn’t just about filling open positions. It’s about having the right people in place to provide quality care for residents.

Stay well and stay informed!