Rural Nurse Facts
Traditional authors defined rural nursing as a nurse who practices in a rural setting. Their work evolved as an extension of the woman’s role in the community. As time passed, the needs of the population differentiated rural patient and nurse roles.
Rural Nursing consists of rural generalists with specialty knowledge in crisis assessment and management in all sub disciplines of nursing. Rural nurses are relationship based accountable for family, friends, and neighbors’ health. Nurses apply basic health care principles to the diversity of rural culture and patient health definitions. Nurses manage geographical and social distance concepts in health care. They also care for patients employing different technologies and resources.
Recent research indicates:
- New graduates feel unprepared for rural specialty care.
- Most new graduates are unaware of the definition of rural nurse generalists.
- New graduates care for more patients than do expert rural nurses.
- New graduates report more medical errors than do experts.
- Incivility in rural work settings promotes rural vacancies.
- Boundaries to the scope of practice are blurred in rural settings.
- Nurses with rural backgrounds are retained longer than those with urban backgrounds.
- Nurses do not feel freedom to introduce new methods, alter methods or change bedside care practices.
- Nurses feel unable to alter standards of care in organizations
- Nurses feel they have less authority than is needed to fulfill patient care.
Rural Nurse Residency Quotes
- Just wanted to let you and Tamara know how invaluable I feel this course
is going to be for me and also for my facility. We have had a very poor
track record in orienting new nurses and it has been discussed for some
time now about needing to develop policies and procedures to improve this.
Having access to this wealth of knowledge and the support you offer will
make it possible for us to succeed in this. Thank you!” Kristina Nordhagen – Sheridan Memorial, Plentywood, Montana - “Loved the (Preceptor) workshop! Overall, the seminar was very well done and very much appreciated! It is wonderful that we can share knowledge and expertise across the US.” Joan Vandekrol - Professional Development Coordinator, Pella Regional Medical Center, Pella, Iowa
- “The content and instructors were wonderful.” Jodie Perry – Lincoln County Hospital, Davenport, Washington
- “We have one nurse finishing the 2009-10 program, and a second ready to start the 2010-2011 program this week. Our 2009-10 resident, feels that the program has helped her knowledge immensely. Note- she is working on her BSN at the same time. ____ is an enthusiastic learner and has enjoyed the curriculum.” Mary DesOrmeau Rifle, Colorado
- “Thank you for all your teaching material and lectures. They were great and the material assisted me in orientating our new graduate.” Karla Hackett, Fort Thompson I.H.S. Health Center
- Many thanks – I get such excellent feedback on this program – we are absolutely delighted to be part of it. Pat O’Hara PS: I hear that you are planning a Nurse Manager Residency beginning in January – can you send me information?