A Looming Disaster: The Certified Nursing Assistant Staffing Shortage

Abstract

The certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing crisis in American long-term care facilities (LTCFs) has reached critical levels, jeopardizing the quality of care for residents and the well-being of staff. This article examines the multifaceted causes of the CNA shortage, including inadequate compensation, recruitment challenges, and high turnover rates exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It also explores the impact of new federal staffing regulations, which risk further straining already limited resources. The article proposes a comprehensive approach to addressing this crisis, emphasizing the need for improved compensation structures, targeted recruitment campaigns, and robust retention strategies. These strategies include implementing mental health support programs, fostering workplace respect, and providing career advancement opportunities for CNAs. Immediate and coordinated action across the long-term care sector is essential to prevent further deterioration in workforce stability and ensure high-quality care for LTCF residents.

Keywords: CNA staffing crisis; Long-term care facilities; Recruitment; Resident care quality; Retention.

Figure 1.

CNA staffing barriers. Identified barriers and proposed solutions for the certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing shortage. Yellow boxes correspond to the broad categories of these barriers, whereas green boxes indicate specific challenges within each category. The blue boxes provide proposed solutions to address each identified barrier.