SNF operators should prepare for a July 2026 program launch, when grant administrators will begin distributing tuition reimbursement and stipends of up to $50,000 per RN who commits to working in a qualifying nursing home for three years.
UPDATED: ‘Good news’ as CMS doubles spending on nursing home staffing campaign
Providers welcomed the “good news” Monday that the budget for a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services nursing home staffing campaign has more than doubled to reach $200 million. The campaign was originally set to devote $75 million to nurse training and recruitment for the long-term care sector, and is set to begin in earnest this summer.
— McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, March 16, 2026
BREAKING: CMS nursing home staffing campaign more than doubles to $200M
“Every governor, all 50, engaged us to contribute money so all of us can train more nurses designed for nursing home staffing, especially in rural areas,” Oz said. “And it’s gonna work. We’ll launch it over the summer.”
— McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, March 16, 2026
CMS to continue nursing home staffing campaign: sources
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said this week that it plans to continue rolling out a $75 million nursing home staffing campaign announced under the Biden administration. Agency officials confirmed their intent during a closed call with long-term care stakeholder organizations on Tuesday, according to LeadingAge officials who attended.
— McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, May 29, 2025
CMS launches nursing home staffing campaign with nurse recruiting websites
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services debuted a pair of new web pages Monday morning, aimed at helping nursing homes and state inspection agencies recruit and educate new nurses. The agency said Monday it intends to offer tuition reimbursement and other financial incentives to encourage more RNs to work in SNFs or for state agencies.
— McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, December 16, 2024
CMS Rolls Out Nursing Home Staffing Campaign, Promises ‘Free’ CNA Training, RN Incentives
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued details on a national staffing campaign for the nursing home sector, aimed at increasing the number of nurses working in nursing homes and at state agencies that inspect nursing homes for compliance. The agency will provide financial incentives for registered nurses (RNs) to work in nursing homes and state agencies, including tuition reimbursement, CMS said.
— Skilled Nursing News, December 16, 2024
