Rural nursing is a highly fulfilling, but challenging career for nurses who want to provide care for remote and underserved communities. It is important to consider the benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether rural health care is the right path for you.
If you are considering a career in nursing, it is likely because you have a passion for helping others. Nurses make an immense impact on the lives of their patients, and are often the most active professionals in administering healthcare on a face-to-face basis. One of the most significant nursing roles you can pursue when it comes to making an impact is rural nursing.
Rural nurses work in smaller communities, within areas which may lack easy access to a full array of healthcare services. The care they deliver is crucial in developing a more equitable healthcare system, and despite the challenges that accompany the role, many find it to be a hugely fulfilling career path.
With the help of Marian University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you can discover many aspects of nursing to help you decide whether rural healthcare is the right direction for you. Our 16-month program leverages your previous college experiences toward a successful nursing career.
Before you decide whether the ABSN program is right for you, let’s explore what life as a rural nurse looks like and what the benefits and drawbacks are.
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Understanding Rural Nursing
Rural nurses travel to underserved areas, including those with large Spanish-speaking populations, to practice their profession and live in the community. . These nurses frequently wear many hats because access to healthcare in these regions can be quite limited.
Rural nurses commonly work in:
- Health clinics
- Community hospitals
- Government agencies
- Patients’ homes
- Schools
- Urgent care clinics
The need for registered nurses and nurse practitioners is substantial in rural areas. A common misconception about rural health nursing is that the work will be slow and straightforward. In fact, it can be relatively busy and present many challenges.
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Characteristics of Rural Healthcare
Rural nurses often find a deep sense of fulfillment in their work. Despite potential limitations in compensation, many embrace the opportunity rural nursing provides to engage in meaningful work. It allows them to advance their careers, expand their skills, and make significant contributions to the health of underserved communities.
If you choose rural healthcare, you are encouraged to prepare for unique living conditions. You will likely live in a small community with limited access to metropolitan amenities. This is a small price for many, and they may even prefer a simple life.
Common Health Issues in Rural Areas
A prominent concern for those living in rural areas is that they cannot access medical facilities quickly or conveniently, especially in emergencies. These circumstances can be frightening, especially for older populations who are at high risk of events such as strokes, heart attacks, and falls.
Many rural regions also face increased rates of chronic conditions which require medical intervention. These can go undertreated, and patients suffer as a result. There are fewer treatment facilities and opportunities for regular checkups, that may result in chronic pain and a reduced quality of life.
Challenges Faced by Rural Nurses
If you are considering becoming a rural nurse, you will face some challenges you should be aware of beforehand, so if you decide to move forward, you can better anticipate the issues you may face.
Limited Resources
Rural health facilities may struggle to obtain the necessary supplies and resources to run smoothly. These circumstances can mean many different things for different locations. Most clinics face understaffing, so the medical support staff must often make do — which is a challenge.
Limited access to specialty-focused medical teams can also present problems. Because there are relatively few patients, there are relatively few nurses, and these nurses generally do not have extensive training in multiple areas of medicine. However, the same nurse who mainly works in pediatrics may be needed for orthopedics or neurological treatments on the same day.
Access and Logistics
Rural nurses have somewhat limited capabilities because they are so far removed from advanced medical assistance. If they face an emergency, their triage will look quite different from that of other nurses. They may need to arrange transport over great distances or keep a patient stable for long periods of time.
Patients with chronic health issues also have limited access to proper treatment. For example, in areas with high rates of diabetes, those patients might be less likely to receive the necessary medications to sustain a high quality of life. They are also more susceptible to receiving outdated treatment plans that are more difficult to sustain compared with those arranged by municipal treatment facilities, which offer modern advancements, such as glucose monitoring sensors.
Career Advancement
Although rural nursing can look great on a resume, you will hit a professional ceiling. Only so much room is available for upward movement, and you will have limited abilities to pursue an advanced degree. You may need to devote clinical hours at a facility that hosts your desired focus or specialty.
However, advancing your career as a rural nurse is still possible. You may decide to work as a rural nurse temporarily, or you may find a way to adapt your educational needs to your career and lifestyle. Regardless, knowing the limitations of a career in rural nursing is important.
The Benefits of a Career in Rural Nursing
Rural nursing comes with challenges, but it is worthwhile for individuals passionate about assisting underserved communities. You could make a difference in patients' lives who would otherwise not receive adequate medical care. And if you prefer not to live in the city, rural life, which can be sustainable long-term, may even be a great fit for your lifestyle.
Greater Autonomy
When working at a large medical facility, you have a very specific role that you must execute well for the team to work together smoothly. The work of a rural nurse is much more dynamic than that of other nurses because you will be meeting the diverse needs of the patients. With the challenges of limited specialties come the advantages of flexibility and increased autonomy.
In your facility, you will often be the one making decisions, running tests, helping provide diagnostics and so on. The role comes with increased responsibility, but many nurses flourish in such an environment. Keep in mind that you would still be monitored, with oversight by licensure administrations and organizations.
Sense of Community
If you choose to become a remote area nurse, you will explore new parts of the country and get to know people like you would not be able to help in a traditional nursing setting.
These rural communities are often very tightly-knit, and as a healthcare worker, you would become an integral part of it. You get to know your patients on a deeper level, allowing you to provide more comprehensive treatment and support for their physical and emotional wellness. You may benefit from working as a rural nurse if you want to live in a close community with a strong support system.
Ready to See Where Nursing Can Take You?
Whether you think rural nursing is right for you or want to pursue another nursing path, Marian University has a place for you. By combining online coursework, in-person labs, and clinical rotations into a hybrid curriculum, the Marian ABSN program allows you to quickly complete nursing school and begin a successful and fulfilling career as a nurse.
Take the first step today by contacting an ABSN admissions advisor who will guide you through your enrollment journey.