New federal rule demands more staff in nursing homes, challenges industry

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Most nursing homes around the nation will have to add workers thanks to a new federal rule.

The Biden Administration just announced minimum staffing ratios, something they're calling "a big step forward towards bolstering quality and care."

A Local12 investigation found that hiring and paying people to meet the new numbers will be a difficult job.

Inside the classroom at Hondros College of Nursing’s Cincinnati Campus, the students are getting hands on experience.

“They're being offered jobs before they even graduate at their clinical sites because there is just such a need," said Director of Nursing Sarah Wandstrat.

The number of graduates that Hondros is putting into the workforce is growing, but just by a little. Hondros reported back in 2021 that 137 licensed practical nurses got a degree as well as 60 registered nurses. Those numbers have recently rose to 148 and 77.

A lot of the graduates will go on to work in hospitals. Felicity Lotarski said that’s where she wants to be.

"Emergency medicine is probably where I would like to start in. I’m very much an adrenaline junkie."

Felicity isn’t alone, Hondros said that two out of three LPNs end up working in geriatrics after graduation. For RN graduates, it drops to one in five.

“The problem is that nursing homes can’t provide the benefits hospitals can with vacation and sick leave, but also the pay that hospitals offer," said Dr. Irene Hamrick.

Dr. Irene Hamrick is the chair of the office of geriatrics at the University of Cincinnati. The college of nursing put up a post in April congratulating their new nurses. In all, 271 will enter the workforce with a Bachelor of Science.

Where does this leave nursing homes? The president of Maple Knoll Communities said it’s going to be tough to fill open positions.

“Leading Age has stats that show we're going to need close to 14,000 RNs in the next two years to make this close to working," said Tim McGowan.

McGowan said they already meet the new standards put out by the Biden Administration on April 23. Nursing homes that get federal funding must employ enough staff to provide at least 3.48 hours of care daily for each resident. Plus, they must have a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Local 12 asked McGowan where they plan on getting the extra staff members from.

"That’s a very good question. It’s one that I don’t think they're prepared to answer at the federal level," said McGowan.

Nursing homes will not only have to find nurses, but also entice them into an industry that’s not for everyone.

Felicity weights in on why she doesn’t think she’ll go to work in a nursing home:

“I do love my little old people and everything. And I’m glad I can be there for the ones I did. But it makes me sad at the end of the day," said Felicity.

Choosing a path in the nursing profession is personal one. That’s not an easy pill to swallow for the nursing home industry that has two or three years to comply with the new federal mandate.

The new rules go into effect in 2026 for urban locations and 2027 for rural locations.