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North Dakota Veterans Home reports staffing gains but ongoing staffing pressure
Summary
Administrator Dane Bridal told the budget section the Veterans Home was appropriated $31,652,790 under SB 2007, supports 114.39 FTEs and is using targeted wage increases and limited agency staffing; the facility’s skilled nursing is full while basic care has capacity and staffing remains the primary budget concern.
Dane Bridal, administrator of the North Dakota Veterans Home, presented the home’s appropriation and operational status under Senate Bill 2007. He said the veterans home was appropriated a total of $31,652,790 for the 2025–27 biennium, with salary and wages supporting 114.39 full‑time equivalent positions and $22,398,008.66 listed for salaries and wages.
Bridal described a nurse equity wage adjustment effective July 1 that provided a $2 per hour increase for CNAs, medication assistants, LPNs and RNs; since the adjustment the facility hired two full‑time RNs. He said agency staffing is still in use in specific units but, “we are at full capacity up until October” and that the facility continues to recruit for a recently vacated loan and grants officer position.
On census, Bridal reported skilled nursing at capacity (52 beds) with a waiting list and basic care at 62 residents of a 98‑bed capacity; he cited geography and the ability for many residents to remain at home as reasons basic care is not full. He said converting basic care rooms to additional skilled beds is possible but would require capital modifications (room outfitting and generator backup) and sustained staffing increases. The facility has completed a garage/storage project with subsequent resident leases and is seeking bids for refrigeration temperature monitoring and carpet replacement in basic care areas.
Bridal said staffing remains the primary ongoing budget pressure and that reliance on agency nursing staff, while available, is costly. He invited committee members to visit the facility and answered follow‑up questions on census, staffing mix and recruitment plans.
