CMS launches nursing home staffing program

In a collaborative effort with states, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has introduced a $275 million program aimed at addressing nurse shortages in rural nursing homes and other underserved areas.

Program Overview: Nurses for Nursing Homes

The Nurses for Nursing Homes program is set to assist over 4,000 nurses and nursing students across the country, with participation from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as confirmed by CMS.

CMS has allocated $100 million, while states are anticipated to contribute an additional $175 million. These funds originate from civil penalties imposed on nursing homes by both CMS and state authorities.

Qualified nurses can receive up to $40,000 for student loan repayment and a $10,000 stipend, totaling a maximum of $50,000 in assistance, in return for a three-year commitment to their roles.

Eligibility and Application Process

To qualify, registered nurses and licensed practical or vocational nurses must commit to an average of at least 30 weekly work hours, with payments issued quarterly upon verification of hours.

Eligibility extends to all rural nursing facilities, as well as select facilities in areas facing significant labor shortages. CMS is collaborating with workforce partners, nursing homes, and educational institutions to match eligible nurses with available positions.

Applicants typically must not have been employed by a nursing home or state agency in the 60 days prior to starting their application. However, an exception is made during the program’s initial 90 days for nurses who began working at eligible facilities between July 28 and October 25, 2026.

Nurses with eligible student loan debt may qualify for both financial benefits, while those without such debt must have graduated within the last two years to be eligible for the stipend.

Official Statement and Context

“Without taking a dime from taxpayers, CMS is empowering the next generation of nurses to pursue their dreams and helping residents form deep bonds with caregivers so they can live happier, healthier lives,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a statement.

This program is part of a broader federal strategy to tackle staffing issues in long-term care facilities. In December 2025, HHS eliminated the federal minimum staffing requirement for these facilities, citing concerns about the burden on rural and Tribal community facilities.