Federal Policy
CMS Launches $275M Nurse Recruitment Initiative for Nursing Homes
CMS announced a $275 million "Nurses for Nursing Homes" initiative on October 23, 2026, aimed at recruiting nurses to work in qualifying long-term care facilities nationwide. The program expects to support more than 4,000 nurses across all 50 states and DC, with many qualifying facilities located in rural and underserved areas. Eligible RNs and LPNs/LVNs who commit to 30 hours per week for three years at an eligible Medicare-, Medicaid-, or dually certified facility can receive up to $40,000 in student loan repayment and/or a retention stipend based on a $10,000 national average, adjusted by CMS wage index. The application exception period runs from October 26, 2026 through January 24, 2027.
Why it mattersMedicaid-certified and dually certified nursing homes struggling with chronic staffing shortages could use the incentive payments to recruit and retain nurses at facilities CMS has identified as high-need.
Also covered by:mha.org