Temporary Nurse Aide Program Extension, Next Steps

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Minnesota's nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver now have until April 5, 2023, or the end of the public health emergency (PHE), whichever is sooner, to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

Waiver Extension Request Approved, Continue Transitioning Caregivers

Last week CMS approved Minnesota's waiver extension request, allowing providers more time and flexibility to transition caregivers to be placed on the Nursing Assistant Registry. Caregivers who were hired or worked under the 1135 Waiver should continue to transition to be on the registry as soon as possible. MDH provides three different pathways for this transition:

• Pathway 1: Enroll in and complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and pass the exam.

• Pathway 2: Enroll in a NATCEP training program, but take advantage of the MDH Transition Pathway. This pathway allows facilities to credit training received while working under the waiver towards the required 75-hour training. Individuals must still enroll in a NATCEP program to meet the training requirements and pass the exam.
• Pathway 3: Choose not to enroll in a NATCEP program but challenge and pass the exam.

Multiple States Request Waiver Extensions

Multiple states submitted waiver extension requests to CMS to prevent losing their critically needed caregivers. States had to demonstrate testing backlogs or other delays that have kept providers from being able to convert temporary nurse aides into certified nurse assistants.

Although skilled nursing providers around the nation are facing workforce challenges, CMS announced they would not extend the nationwide blanket waiver.

Action To Address Training & Testing Challenges

To comply with the waiver extension, MDH must submit monthly information regarding the steps to address the state's training and testing barriers. LeadingAge MN is working closely with the department on several initiatives to support nurse aide candidates:

• Piloting in-facility nursing assistant testing in member settings to expand testing access
• Advocating for the timeframe extension and adding a fourth attempt to pass the knowledge test
• Establishing a Nursing Assistant Training and Testing Advisory group to address statewide pass rates, concerns regarding knowledge test questions, and to develop student and trainer supports

For questions regarding this waiver extension or nursing assistant training and testing, please reach out to Anna Mowry, Director of Workforce Solutions at LeadingAge Minnesota.