News

Free Virtual Reality Headsets for Nurse Aide Training Programs

On November 10, 2022 by Anna Mowry

New software is being developed to create virtual reality (VR) nurse aide skill simulations that align with the Headmaster skills test. Nurse aide training programs and instructors can volunteer to test the VR software to help provide feedback during the final product development stages.

NLRB Plans to Protect Workers from Employer “Omnipresent Surveillance”

On November 3, 2022 by Mark Schulz

On Monday, the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo announced her intention to protect employees, to the greatest extent possible, from intrusive or abusive electronic monitoring (described as "omnipresent surveillance") and automated management practices through vigorously enforcing current law and by urging the NLRB to apply settled labor-law principles in a new framework.

New Recruitment Tools Now Available: Opening Doors to the Aging Services Workforce

On October 20, 2022 by Anna Mowry

New, research-informed communication strategies and recruitment tools are available for LeadingAge members to support their workforce efforts.

Workforce Development Resource Round-up

On October 20, 2022 by Anna Mowry

September was National Workforce Development Month. To celebrate LeadingAge Minnesota and our national partners at LeadingAge released several resources for members to support and grow their workforce.

Participate in LeadingAge Minnesota Committees in 2023

On October 13, 2022 by Lori Meyer

As the new year approaches, we invite you to participate in LeadingAge Minnesota committees in 2023. We are tackling your challenges on numerous fronts, and we need you to help shape the critical work ahead.

US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case on Nursing Home Arbitration Rule

On October 6, 2022 by Mark Schulz

The nation's highest court has declined to weigh in on a case involving nursing homes and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) arbitration rule that nursing home industry groups argue places "burdensome" requirements on facilities. In other words, the Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals' October 2021 decision will remain intact.

Changes and Clarifications to the Knowledge Test for Nurse Aide Candidates

On October 6, 2022 by Anna Mowry

As of Oct. 3, nurse aide candidates have a maximum of two hours to complete the knowledge test and have up to four chances to pass the knowledge test. We have answers to several frequently asked questions about the nurse aide test.

New Member Resource: A Guide to Effective Individual Development Plans

On September 29, 2022 by Anna Mowry

September is National Workforce Development Month and to celebrate a new member resource,  A Guide to Effective Individual Development Plans, is now available.

Grow Your Workforce with OnTrack

On September 28, 2022 by Anna Mowry

September is National Workforce Development Month, and one of the most proven member resources to grow your workforce is OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training.

Nurse Aide Candidates Will Have Four Chances to Pass the Knowledge Exam Beginning Oct. 3

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Beginning Oct. 3, Nurse Aide Registry candidates will have up to four chances to pass the knowledge exam until March 2023.

PHI Releases a New Report on the Direct Care Workforce in the U.S.

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

A new report providing insights and data on the nation's direct care workforce was recently released.

The report, Direct Care Workers in the United States: Key Facts, is released annually by PHI, which researches, supports, and promotes the nation's direct care workforce. The report includes workforce projections and demographic overviews of home care workers, residential care aides, and nursing assistants in nursing homes.

Reminder: Keep Transitioning Temporary Nurse Aides Working Under the 1135 Waiver

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver have until Oct. 6 to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

Governor Walz Announces $2.5 Million Investment to Extend the NextGen Free Nursing Assistant Training Program

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Last week, Governor Walz announced an additional $2.5 million in American Recovery Plan funding to continue the state’s Next Generation Nursing Assistant Training Program (NextGen) until Feb. 2023.

Enroll Today! Nursing Program Openings for the Fall Semester

On September 6, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota State HealthForce Center of Excellence has created a new Nursing Program Openings webpage to show which colleges and universities around the state of Minnesota have available seats in their nursing programs for the Fall 2022 semester.

Now Available On Demand: Confronting the Workforce Crisis Through a DEI Lens, Virtual Governance Intensive

On September 6, 2022 by Barbara Landeen

The 2022 Governance Intensive for executive leadership and board members is available on demand. Confronting the Workforce Crisis Through a DEI Lens: A Governance Perspective explores the deepening workforce crisis through the lens of building a diverse and inclusive culture, examining the two matters from a governance perspective.

Two-Hour Time Limit for Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Begins Oct. 3

On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced that nurse aide registry candidates will have up to two hours for the knowledge exam beginning Oct. 3.

MDH Requests a Statewide Waiver to Extend the Temporary Nurse Aide Program

On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has requested a statewide waiver to extend the temporary nurse aide training program that is currently set to expire on Oct. 6.

CMS Researchers Enter Nursing Homes to Establish a Federal Staffing Standard

On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to conduct a four-part analysis in pursuit of establishing a federal minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. As part of their study, researchers will visit 75 nursing homes across the country over the next three months though none are planned for Minnesota sites. A national staffing plan would be incorporated into skilled nursing proposed rules published next spring.

Two-Hour Nursing Assistant Knowledge Exam Time Limit Returns

On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will extend the time limit for the nursing assistant state knowledge exam from one hour back to two hours in response to feedback from nurse aide training programs around the state.

$400K in Workforce Grants Available from the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation

On August 25, 2022 by Terri Foley

To support members in addressing the significant challenges caused by the current labor shortage, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is investing up to $400,000 in workforce grants. Applicants must apply by Oct. 5. The maximum award per site is $20,000. Grants are available for various purposes.

Staff Appreciation Initiatives

Grants will be awarded to thank staff teams for their continued commitment. Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Gift cards
• Free meals
• Break room improvements
• Staff recognition events

Funds cannot be used to offset wages, benefits, bonuses, or other compensation.

OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training Program Set-Up Expenses

Grants will be awarded to train high-quality direct caregivers. Examples of eligible expenses include:

• Technology
• Equipment such as mannequins
• Physical plant changes for a new or existing training room

Funds can cover nurse educators’ time for the OnTrack program set-up. Funds cannot be used for OnTrack student enrollment fees, exam fees, or student wages.

Build-Your-Own Workforce Projects

Grants will be awarded to start or expand initiatives aimed at recruitment, retention, or talent pipeline efforts. Projects can involve, for example:

• Labor-saving tools and technology
• Onboarding process improvements
• Partnerships with local schools
• Upgrading online recruiting tools

The Details

Applications are due Oct. 5 by 5 p.m. Learn more in the Request For Proposal (RFP) and apply online.

Multi-site organizations can submit applications for individual settings or combine projects across sites. An announcement of awards will be made by Dec. 1.

For questions, please contact Terri Foley, Program Office at the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation, at tfoley@leadingagemn.org or 651-815-8137.