Impact of In-Facility Nursing Assistant Training on CNA Retention in Long-Term Care

Health care faces a shortage of direct patient care workers with a projected 3.2 million deficit by 2026. This study examined the impact of an in-facility, employer-paid nursing assistant training program to address certified nursing assistant retention in a Midwest rural health care system. Using a mixed-method retrospective cohort design, researchers compared the retention of program participants ( n = 557) and nonparticipants ( n = 3,326). Results showed program participants were retained at a 9% higher rate than those trained outside the organization.