Fewer skilled nursing leaders are feeling optimistic heading into the new year, despite some recent regulatory wins and, in many cases, having full beds in the organizations where they work.
Staffing worries continue to drive major anxiety for 2026 and were an oft-cited reason for feeling “less” or “much less” optimistic for the skilled nursing sector. Year over year, 12% fewer nursing home managers and executives said they were “more” or “much more” optimistic.
That’s according to the McKnight’s Long-Term Care News’ 2026 Outlook Survey, which was conducted by email and online from Nov. 18 to Dec. 11, 2025. More than 550 nursing home C-suite executives, administrators and nurse leaders took part.