# Revolutionizing Healthcare Workforce Management: A Comprehensive Solution for Licensing Disparities and Workforce Retention in Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs)

> **NIH NIH R43** · SUMA SOLUTIONS · 2024 · $300,195

## Abstract

Abstract
From 2020 to 2030, the US will need to fill a total of 7.9 million direct care job openings, from both new and
existing vacancies, due to workers leaving the industry (PHI, 2023). This direct care shortage is directly
propelled by the growing number of older adults, increased longevity of patients, and lack of workforce
licensing support. Many of the direct care jobs are filled by Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA), who identify
largely as low income and/or ethnic minorities. As this gap between the demand for direct care workers and
available, licensed direct care workers widens, the same communities that CNAs stem from will be the first to
suffer from the negative health effects caused by the lack of access to qualified, diverse CNAs. To ensure
CNAs can legally continue to provide care, we must create infrastructure that can reduce turnover caused by
laborious licensing demands and support its growth. Suma, a California-based small business, has developed
a software as a service that reduces licensing compliance burdens and streamlines requirements into an
accessible online management system. Although preliminary studies have shown Suma’s ability to help CNAs
manage renewal requirements and lead to an increased workforce retention, additional structure is needed to
support the lion’s share of CNAs that lack access to resources. In Phase I, Suma will develop SumaAdmin,
which will integrate employers in the CNA licensing system to provide additional infrastructure that elevates
and supports CNA leading to a decrease in licensing dropout. Aim 1: Develop a prototype of SumaAdmin
which will enable LTC facilities to dynamically manage employed, licensed BIPOC and lower SES CNAs. Aim
2: Conduct closed alpha testing with BIPOC CNAs of SumaAdmin product to identify usability challenges and
bugs, flag structural/functionality issues, and test user mapping. Aim 3: Pilot closed beta testing of prototype
with 40 BIPOC, ESL, and/or lower SES CNAs and rural LTC facility partner. This feasibility and usability test
will include successful mastery of essential intervention skills plus satisfaction ratings. Upon completion of
Phase I, Suma will have developed a prototype of SumaAdmin, have tested it in a long-term care facility
environment, received feedback on the software from end users, and documented its impact of CNA licensing
turnover. This will allow transition to a Phase II which will focus on conducting a long-term study of SumaAdmin
across various healthcare facilities and communities throughout the state of California. Given the growing
demand for direct care workers, there is a significant commercialization opportunity in creating a licensing
support ecosystem that encourages workforce retention. Investing in this technological innovation will lead to
more equitable access to care and increase quality of life across the lifespan.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11006978
- **Project number:** 1R43AG084390-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** SUMA SOLUTIONS
- **Principal Investigator:** Denice Wharton
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $300,195
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-15 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11006978

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11006978, Revolutionizing Healthcare Workforce Management: A Comprehensive Solution for Licensing Disparities and Workforce Retention in Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) (1R43AG084390-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11006978. Licensed CC0.

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