Partnering with rural communities to meet the demand for a qualified nursing workforce

Nurs Outlook. 2009 May-Jun;57(3):148-57. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2008.09.007.

Abstract

The registered nurse (RN) shortage threatens rural health care quality and economic vitality. Educational institutions have the opportunity to collaborate with rural communities in building pipelines for a more highly educated, sustainable nursing workforce. Leaders from 19 Midwestern rural counties approached a university about their regional nurse workforce issues and a desire to locate a nursing campus in their community. This article describes the partnership between a university and a rural community and the process for addressing their concerns and determining program feasibility. A Task Force of faculty and community leaders used the Determining Program Feasibility model to frame data collection and analysis. The Task Force met regularly with a Community Advisory Board for problem-solving and formative feedback. The sound methodology and transparent process facilitated a successful collaboration and resulted in a final report outlining the significant opportunities and challenges to overcome. Plans are underway for a new rural nursing campus and the community has raised monies for the new facility. The state legislature will address needed start-up funds.

MeSH terms

  • Community Participation
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Faculty, Nursing / organization & administration
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Hospitals, Rural / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Interinstitutional Relations*
  • Models, Nursing
  • Nebraska
  • Needs Assessment / organization & administration
  • Nursing Education Research
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / education
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / supply & distribution
  • Personnel Staffing and Scheduling
  • Program Development
  • Regional Health Planning / organization & administration
  • Rural Population*
  • Schools, Nursing / organization & administration*
  • Universities / organization & administration*