LeadingAge NY Highlights Need for Nurses in LTC in Second Nurses Across NY Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting
On Aug. 11th, LeadingAge NY participated in the second stakeholder workgroup meeting for the Nurses Across New York (NANY) program. LeadingAge NY was proud to be asked to serve on this group, which is providing recommendations to the State on the development of this loan repayment program established in the State budget. The program will provide loan repayment for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who commit to serve for three years in underserved areas. Click here for an overview of the program.
In this second meeting, the Department of Health’s (DOH) Division of Workforce Transformation provided an overview of the other loan repayment programs they administer, as well as federal loan forgiveness or repayment programs. The group received an overview of the Doctors Across New York (DANY) program, which the NANY program is modeled after. The State can apply lessons learned from the DANY program in the implementation of NANY; however, input is being sought on some key questions.
- If a NANY recipient is unable to fulfill their three-year commitment, under what circumstances might the individual not be made to repay the assistance received? How is ‘hardship’ defined for that purpose?
- Should the program be made available only to new nurses, or to nurses already working in the field? Is the goal retention, recruitment, or both?
LeadingAge NY stressed that, despite the limited budget, the goals of the program should be recruitment, retention, and incentivizing people to work in settings they may not have otherwise chosen to. We again stressed that long term care should be regarded as underserved populations for the purposes of this program, including nursing homes, assisted living, home care, adult day health care, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE programs). We continue to highlight that the need is urgent in aging and long term care services and will only grow as our aging population in New York grows. Other members of the workgroup echoed the need, particularly in nursing homes and home care. Workgroup members also stressed the importance of directing the program to nurses providing direct care.
The stakeholder workgroup will meet once more, with the goal of having an application for the program drafted by Sept. 30, 2022.
We welcome member input on any of the questions posed by the Department, or any other matters relating to the program.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828