The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to stem workforce shortages in the nursing field by launching an $80 million national Nursing Home Staffing Campaign to increase the number of nurses in nursing homes and at state survey agencies.

The agency has posted a new Notice of Funding Opportunity tied to the campaign, which will see CMS accept applications for agreements with entities that will administer financial incentives, such as loan repayment and stipends to RNs and LPNs.

The nurses would in turn work for three years in qualifying nursing facilities or in an oversight role with the state survey agency.

Organizations that are eligible to apply include education organizations, nonprofit nursing and education organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other small nonprofit businesses.

Nursing homes, nursing home companies, nursing home associations, state agencies, and the CMS QIN-QIO are not eligible to apply. 

CMS said it launched a webpage for prospective nurses  that highlights and provides direct links to state websites and their local CNA training programs. When the RN/LPN financial incentives are available, the site will provide links to apply for that assistance.

CMS is partnering with state governments to expand the campaign in their state. Access the video and letter with a message from the CMS administrator to all governors to encourage state collaboration on this program.

“As stated above, CMS will be offering financial incentives to help recruit RNs/LPNs to work in nursing homes and state inspection agencies. Specifically, qualified RNs and LPNs will be able to receive up to $40,000 for loan repayment and/or a $10,000 stipend in return for working three years in a qualifying nursing home or state inspection agency,” CMS said.

To administer these incentives, CMS will create financial incentive administrators (FIAs), who will engage in activities, such as distributing the funds to RNs/LPNs, verifying their work status, and working with nursing homes and state agencies to fill their staffing vacancies. 

CMS said it intends to select the FIAs in summer 2026, who will begin to set up their infrastructure for administering the financial incentives. Once complete, the FIAs will begin recruiting RNs/LPNs and providing these financial incentives. 

More information can be found in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

FIA applications are due to CMS by March 27 and award announcements are expected June 15. The earliest start date is expected to be July 1. CMS will award one to two applicants per region, with up to three applicants per region.

Go to https://tinyurl.com/4f884dpu for the rundown on the Nursing Home Staffing Campaign and send any questions about the offering to NHSC@cms.hhs.gov. 

Comments or questions on the article? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.