The North Dakota Department of Health will spend up to $200,000 to recruit temporary nurse aides and certified nurse aides for long-term care facilities in an effort to help combat a caregiver workforce shortage.
Individuals who obtain a North Dakota temporary nurse aide certification will receive a $2,000 sign-on payment, under certain conditions. The certification will allow caregivers to work in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and basic care facilities, although the Health Department said that priority will be given to people who want to work in SNFs.
Participants must complete the American Health Care Association’s free, online, eight-hour temporary nurse aide course, obtain temporary nurse aide registration from the Health Department, land a job at an eligible facility type, and then complete any training required by the employer. The facility then would notify the agency about the applicant’s skill competency.
After completing training, the caregivers will be required to complete six months of employment. Participants will receive 25% of the payment after the first month of work and the remaining 75% after six months, if he or she remains in good standing with the employer. The payments will be distributed through the facilities.
The sign-on bonus program will run through May 30 or until the first 100 applicants have been approved, whichever comes first.
