Federal requirements for nursing homes in North Dakota to have a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day are causing concern and adding pressure to an already challenging workforce situation. The North Dakota Long Term Care Association reports that the majority of rural and urban facilities in the state will struggle to meet this new requirement, with six facilities already closing in the past 35 months due to staffing issues. Urban facilities have until May 2026 to comply, while rural facilities have until May 2027. However, finding enough RNs to meet the new requirement is proving to be a challenge, with contract nurses in short supply and high priced. Without government funding like during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilities may be forced to close.
Immigration is one avenue being explored to address the nursing shortage, but the U.S. State Department recently froze EB-3 visas used by foreign nurses, leaving around 10,000 nurses in limbo. Legislation to increase the cap on foreign nurses’ visas has stalled in Congress, further complicating the situation. Facilities are also struggling to recruit and retain domestic nurses due to a lack of RNs graduating and entering the workforce. The North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration is looking into a cap-exempt H-1B visa program for foreign nurses, but this presents its own challenges. The nursing shortage is a critical issue for long-term care facilities in North Dakota, impacting access to care for residents and threatening the viability of some facilities.
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