Meaningful reform of nursing homes rests on the presence of adequately prepared and compensated RNs, according to a recent article in Nursing Outlook. Responding to a government report on ways the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services can improve the quality of nursing home care in light of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors urged policymakers to 1) ensure RN coverage and adequate compensation; 2) ensure RNs have geriatric nursing and leadership competencies; 3) increase efforts to recruit and retain the nursing home workforce, particularly RNs; and 4) support care delivery models that strengthen the role of the RN for quality resident-centered care. (Nursing Outlook article, 4/5/21)
