Recruitment and retention of primary care nurse practitioners in underserved areas: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: The growing nurse practitioner (NP) workforce plays a critical role in primary care delivery in the United States. However, better recruitment and retention of the robust NP workforce in underserved areas are needed; evidence to inform such effort is limited.

Purpose: This scoping review aimed to examine the findings, scope, and knowledge gaps of available literature on factors associated with NP recruitment and retention in underserved areas.

Methods: This review was guided by Joanna Briggs' Scoping Review Methodology and PRISMA-SCR reporting standards. Literature search for peer-reviewed and gray literature was conducted in six databases.

Findings: A total of 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Factors associated with NP recruitment and retention in underserved areas were mapped into five themes, including factors related to: the individual NP, NP education programs/financial aid, organizations employing NPs, the communities NPs work in, and autonomous practice. Majority of the included studies were published before 2010; few used rigorous study designs and analysis methods; and few exclusively studied NPs and unique challenges facing the NP workforce.

Discussion: Available studies demonstrate that NP recruitment and retention can be addressed by various stakeholders (e.g., educators, policy makers); however, up-to-date, methodologically rigorous, and NP-focused studies are needed.

Keywords: Nurse practitioner; Recruitment; Retention; Scoping review; Underserved area; Underserved population; Workforce.