CMS launches $275 million nursing recruitment program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and 50 states are launching the ‘Nurses for Nursing Homes’ program, a $275 million initiative to recruit nurses into long-term care facilities. This follows the recent repeal of federal nursing home staffing minimums. The program, which opens for applications on October 26, aims to support over 4,000 nurses nationwide through financial incentives.

Eligible licensed nurses and recent graduates can receive up to $40,000 in student loan repayment and a $10,000 stipend, totaling a maximum of $50,000. To qualify, participants must commit to working at least 30 hours per week at a Medicare-, Medicaid-, or dually certified long-term care facility for three years. The federal government is contributing $100 million, while participating states are providing at least $175 million.

This voluntary financial approach comes amid data showing significant staffing challenges in the sector. Recent analysis of CMS data indicates that several states, including Iowa, Illinois, and California, have seen high numbers of citations related to insufficient staffing. In Iowa, for example, approximately 15% of nursing homes were cited for insufficient staffing in 2025, a rate significantly higher than many neighboring states.