Joint Commission’s new nursing requirements will take effect on January 1, 2026, as the organization moves to a new accreditation framework for hospitals across the United States. The National Performance Goals (NPGs) will replace the long-standing National Patient Safety Goals. The Joint Commission created this new model to simplify the accreditation process, remove outdated standards and make expectations clearer for hospitals.
The new framework includes 14 performance goals. Many of them connect directly to Medicare’s Conditions of Participation, which means they influence whether a hospital can continue receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding. Because of this link, hospitals are paying close attention to the upcoming changes. The Joint Commission says the new goals reduce administrative burden and cut down on repetitive inspections, which have long been a concern for hospitals.
A major part of the update appears in NPG Goal 12. It introduces Joint Commission’s new nursing requirements, which focus on staffing, nursing leadership and continuous patient care. Hospitals must now show that they have enough qualified nurses to meet the needs of every patient. They must also prove that their nurses have the training and skills required to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Each hospital must include a nurse executive on its leadership team. This person will oversee all nursing services and support decisions that affect patient care. Hospitals must also keep a registered nurse on duty at all times. The nurse can either provide direct care or supervise other staff members. The Joint Commission also expects hospitals to keep staffing levels high enough so an RN can reach any patient without delay. For outpatient areas that do not need a nurse present, hospitals must create clear and well-supported policies.
Hospitals that will be surveyed in 2026 must begin reviewing and updating their staffing plans and nursing policies now.
