Nursing Home Staffing and Training Recommendations for Promoting Older Adults’ Quality of Care and Life: Part 2. Increasing Nurse Staffing and Training

In the second article of this two-part series, research supporting the need for more RNs and assisting staff (licensed practical nurses [LPNs] and certified nursing assistants [CNAs]) with gerontological nursing training in nursing homes is reviewed. Using the literature, time studies, the judgments of experts, and the expected quality and quantity of care older adults should rightfully receive, recommended standards are set forth for RN and assisting staff hours per resident day, their training, and compensation. Leadership training is recommended for RNs and increased gerontological nursing training is recommended for RNs and assisting staff. Finally, to address the shortage of RNs with gerontological nursing and leadership training in nursing homes, a program to prepare RNs as geriatric nursing long-term care specialists is proposed.