TN nursing homes report largest employment drop in history

Tennessee nursing homes have a long-term care problem: 18 months after the COVID-19 crisis began, their staffs are shrinking faster than ever. Last month, Tennessee nursing homes and residential care facilities reported the largest drop in employment in state history, according to statistics from the Tennessee Department of Labor.

Tennessee Health Care Association spokesperson Jay Moore has attributed the staffing spiral to newly instituted COVID-19 vaccine requirements for long-term care workers. Since July, more than 60 percent of Tennessee nursing homes have issued vaccine mandates for their employees. Administrators began handing down requirements after rumors of impending federal regulations began to swirl throughout the sector.

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TN nursing homes report largest employment drop in history

Staff shortages have been exacerbated by new vaccine requirements.

Kathryn Rickmeyer

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