Certified Nursing Assistant

Challenge: Between 2022–2024, nine long-term care employers in the MSP metro region faced a critical shortage of certified nursing assistants (CNAs), with nearly 3,200 positions needing to be filled — a figure that represents just a fraction of the statewide demand.

Despite available training programs, fewer than half of participants entered the CNA workforce. The shortage strained providers already facing growing demand for older adult services. Employers needed a coordinated, data-driven strategy to improve both recruitment and retention outcomes.

Solution

Stratasight launched Minnesota’s only Long Term Care Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) Collaborative, supported by Medica, to address these workforce challenges. The initiative united employers, training providers, and community organizations to co-design a tuition-free training model with wraparound supports and early job offers. The solution was made possible because participating employers first identified consistent measures of cost per hire and onboarding—revealing that both were significantly higher than anticipated. Armed with this insight, employers redirected resources toward strategic training partnerships that offered a clear return on investment.

Results

The program has led to lower vacancy rates, reduced cost per hire, and more efficient recruitment processes. Employers report clearer career pathways for CNA candidates and stronger alignment between training programs and job requirements. Collaboration across organizations has improved significantly, helping the sector respond more effectively to workforce needs. The TPM approach continues to demonstrate a sustainable model for coordinated, data-informed talent development in long term care.