Routes to Rural Readiness: Enhancing Clinical Training Experiences for Nurse Practitioner Practice in Rural Primary Care
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) provide vital care in rural and safety-net settings. This study identifies, describes, and compares the approaches of rural-oriented NP education programs to facilitate the NP transition from education to practice in rural settings. Preparing NP students effectively during their education may be key to their success in rural practice.
Kaplan L, Pollack SW, Skillman SM, Patterson DG. NP program efforts promoting transition to rural practice. The Nurse Practitioner. 2020;45(10):48-55. doi: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000696920.66207.65
Read the full article
In addition, because research regarding effective strategies for recruiting and retaining rural or safety-net providers often focuses on physicians or combinations of health care professionals, we also conducted a scoping review using MEDLINE and CINAHL to identify effective strategies and research gaps specific to recruiting and retaining APRNs in rural and safety-net settings. We found 13 articles published between 1990 and 2019. Educational experiences and loan repayment obligations influenced APRNs to seek employment in both types of settings. Rural connectedness or satisfaction with the community, having a mentor and supportive work environment, and salary and benefits influenced retention in rural practice. Post-graduate NP residency and an NP-physician team-based care model influenced retention in safety-net settings. We found a limited quantity of evidence for strategies that encourage a strong rural and safety-net APRN workforce, indicating need for additional research.
Kaplan L, Pollack SW, Skillman S, Patterson DG. Factors that encourage and support advanced practice registered nurses to work in rural and safety-net settings. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2020;31(5):163-181. doi:10.1353/hpu.2020.0148.
Read the full article
For more information contact: Louise Kaplan, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN