On May 15, Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) introduced legislation aimed at addressing shortages of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) by expanding the number of qualified supervisors for CNA training programs. The bill, H.R. 3471, known as the Certified Nursing Assistant Workforce Improvement Act, would allow Registered Nurses (RNs) with a minimum of two years of nursing experience to supervise CNA training, regardless of whether their experience comes from working in a long-term care facility or another healthcare facility. Current regulation requires that RNs who train nurse aides possess a minimum of two years of nursing experience, at least one year of which must be in the provision of long term care facility services. CNA staff shortages are a great concern, particularly in rural communities. By eliminating the long-term care requirement, this bill will ostensibly make more RNs available to supervise the training of CNAs, which will accelerate recruitment. LeadingAge supports this legislation.
