October 26, 2026- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new initiative to help recruit and retain nurses in nursing homes, the agency announced Oct. 23. Under the Nurses for Nursing Homes initiative, nursing students and licensed nurses interested in working in a nursing home could be eligible to qualify for up to $40,000 in student loan repayment and/or a $10,000 stipend in exchange for a three-year commitment to work in a qualifying nursing home in a rural or higher labor-shortage area, per The American Hospital Association. A website for the program includes details on eligibility requirements, open positions, details on how to apply and other information.