CMS nursing staff program to emphasize rural, underserved areas

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans a nursing home staffing campaign to award incentives and tuition payments to nurses committing to careers in skilled nursing, prioritizing those serving in rural and underserved areas. Some funds also will promote certified nursing assistant positions in long-term care. CMS published a notice about how it will track award recipients. First proposed by the Biden administration, the Trump administration delayed but then expanded the program. Separately, the agency finalized a requirement for all skilled nursing facilities to submit minimum data set information, irrespective of payer, for residents receiving covered skilled nursing facility care. American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing CNO Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, says the change will increase the time front-line nurses spend on documentation. (McKnight’s Long-term Care News article, 8/20/26)