Rural Nursing Homes’ Livelihood May Depend On Non-Existent Staff

Rural nursing homes face a severe workforce shortage, with insufficient staff threatening their viability. The sector, short of 148,700 workers in 2023, may need an additional 102,000 employees under a proposed federal staffing rule. Population decline, policy issues, and competition with hospitals exacerbate the problem, impacting patient care and hospital discharges. A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate requiring 102,000 additional workers and $6.8 billion in annual spending adds financial strain. Rural nursing homes struggle to recruit against higher-paying sectors, facing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled staff. Creative solutions, like nursing councils and leadership programs, are emerging, but a comprehensive, federally-supported approach is essential for sustained workforce development in these critical healthcare settings.