A Practical Guide to Assist Long-Term Care Managers Retaining Quality Nursing Personnel

The purpose of this project is to provide a practical guide for managers in long-term care settings to retain nursing staff. Staffing issues are probably the most important matters concerning maintaining quality care in long-term care settings today. In the present health care environment, issues surrounding staffing ratios will most likely not be solved in the near future due to the challenge of resolving differences between the industry and regulators. In addition, staff salaries are not negotiable because of reimbursement levels set by Medicare and Medicaid. Facility management lacks control and is not flexible in adjusting profit margins. Thus, recruitment and retention of staff represents one of the primary variables which managers can attempt to enhance or improve upon. Developing improved strategies to recruit and retain staff may also help to increase the quality of care being provided to residents.