ologist to pick up. I knew if I did not talk with Stanley’ s physician, no one else could and he would likely end up back in the hospital or worse.
Rural Nurses are Heroes
Being a visiting nurse allowed me to be a community hero. The people who I visited were so appreciative of my care and concern for them, they treated me like family. Nursing in rural areas is different than in cities. You are not just a care provider, but a neighbor and a friend. You become a member of the community and are respected for making life better for people living there. My home visits really did make a difference for Stanley and so many other people who lived in the small communities north of Portland. In addition, I learned so much more about nursing – from cradle to grave!
Keeping Your Skills
When I suggest working in rural areas to new graduates, I sometimes hear them say they worry about losing their clinical skills if they were not working at a big medical center. However, through telemedicine and hospital networks, nurses are now able to learn online, videoconference with specialists, and share educational resources with other healthcare facilities. The technology allows them to be part of the teams in larger medical centers, while providing care to those in their local communities.
Nurses do many procedures in community hospitals and as home health nurses. Trying to maintain my clinical skills was never a concern for me. I regularly did central line care, blood draws, colostomy and urostomy care, urinary catheter placement, and an array of other clinical procedures.
Country Living
I believe that living in a rural area provides exceptional life experiences. When I lived in Grand Junction, CO, I was able to have a llama, chickens, and goats on my property. Plus, spectacular hiking, skiing, and cycling were all close to my home. These opportunities are not available in most large metropolitan areas. Certainly, not everyone loves barnyard animals and spending time outdoors. Still for those who do, rural living is incredible as it allows people to be close to nature and likely live a more peaceful lifestyle.
Financial Incentives
There are also financial benefits to being a rural nurse. Rural communities often have less expensive costs of living. Wages may be lower, but the housing costs and other living expenses can offset that potential reduction in pay. Another fiscal advantage relates to loan repayment. The government has had a loan repayment program through the Health Resources and Services Administration( Bureau of Health Workforce, 2019). New graduates who work in Critical Access Hospitals may be eligible for student loan repayment. Also, nurses working at outpatient clinics including federally qualified health centers, certified Rural Health Clinic, and Indian Health Services Health Centers may be eligible for the program. For more details, visit: https:// bhw. hrsa. gov / loansscholarships / nursecorps / lrp.
Rural Job prospects
Rural areas are likely to continue to have a nursing shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide specific data about future job openings, but indicators suggest a rising need. According to Kate Rogers( 2017), a CNBC television reporter who investigated the nursing landscape, the need for RNs is particularly critical in rural areas and will remain as a concern for smaller communities for at least the foreseeable future.
Choosing a Rural Position
Before you pack and head out to settle in a rural area, you may want to consider a few questions such as: Could being in small community work for me? What climate and surroundings suit me best? Where do I want to be in terms of proximately to friends and relatives?
Once you have answered these and related questions, pick a couple of rural areas that seem to fit your needs and gather some facts about what the hospital or local home care agency is like in those areas. Investigate whether a new graduate orientation is offered. Examine the job benefits such as health insurance, employee incentives, and no- or low-cost
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