Would someone answer my questions regarding rural nursing?

nadia562002 · Mar 20, 2003

Please help our group. TIme is running out. The paper is due on Monday. Any questions you can answer would be greatly appreciated.

bdeherr · Mar 22, 2003

1. I wanted to be a nurse as long as I can recall. My mother is a nurse.

2. I graduated from nursing school and became an RN in 1973.

3. Lack of depth in staffing. Lack of training for updates. We utilize telehealth and that is helpful, but hands on is best. Having to be a jack of all trades. That means from knowing how to turn on the xray developer to running a code to unplugging a toilet at 0100!

4. I do not believe any specific training is needed. Experience is most helpful for both employee and employer. A good course in assessment skills is necessary-something along the lines of nurse practiioner level. And all those certifications are a must--ACLS, PALS, TNCC.

5. Yes, due to the limited resources and time involved in gathering additional assistance the nurse is often the sole provider for short periods of time.

6. Hopefully it is equvilant to the more developed areas in their region. Otherwise it is almost impossible to get and retain nurses. We have the same starting wages and comparable wage scale as the next largest city.

7. Well that depends on which area you work in. Most RN's in the building respond to an emergency, so that can blow a hole in your best laid plans for the day. Never a dull moment! I am wandering,,,I believe there is no typical day! What with outpatients, and ER's, and walkin's for blood pressure checks or employees with health concerns or inquiries for care for a loved one and meetings and committee work...

8. As I said above, we utilize teleconferences a lot for education, but it's just not quite the same. We go out some, but the budget does not allow for much of that. We read and share material. We rely on whatever freebies we find,,,we get really good at that. We may have to drive to it, but if it's free when we get there, we go. Places like Eastern State offer us free workshops, we try to go to all the workshops offered free by DSHS or DOH, things like that.

9. We will take someone with no experience, but for your own growth, eventually you must go out into the other world. Otherwise you just won't be as well rounded as you need to be to be a really good rural nurse.

10. You go!! I just recieved this, so hope it is helpful. I stopped accessing this web site as I did not recieve responses from my inquiries. I just completed by BSN in December (yes after all these years, I now tell nursing students to do it when they are younger not wait as long as I did!)

I am an RN, BSN and my main job is Resident Care Coordinator for our long term care facility within a rural health care system that includes a critical access hospital, clinic and nursing home.

GOOD LUCK!

cactus wren · Mar 22, 2003

Originally posted by nadia562002
Hi,
I am a nursing student at the Intercollegiate College of Nursing. My group is writing a paper on rural nursing. We are looking for an experienced nurse who has worked in the rural setting. Would you or someone who works in the rural setting be willing to answer our questions? If so, here they are.

1) What attracted you to rural nursing? I live in a rural area, and have no desire for bright lights big city
2) How long have you done it? Started as an aide 29 years ago, where i got on the job training.Have been an RN for 15 years..
3) What kind of challenges are present for rural nurses? You have to be willing to go anywhere...deliver a baby one hour, and run a code in Er the next...
4) Is there any additional education needed to practice in a rural setting? If so, where can this education be obtained? Acls, TnCC.als are all a plus, but they are a plus anywhere...
5) Is there additional liability inherent in practicing in a rural setting? Actually, I think there is less, after all your code may just be your neighbor, or the US`s mother in law..People tend not to sue someone they know....
6) What is the typical salary of nurses who work in rural settings? Some are lower than in the big cities, but the cost of living is usually less,too. I made 50,000 last year, at a 56 bed hospital.
7) What is a typical day like in a rural setting? I don`t usually float anymore, as I work in a small ICU, but have floated to every part of this place..from ER to OR ( and that was scarry !!)
8) Is continuing education utilized as much as it should be? vs the metropolitan counterparts. You have to be willing to go to big city for most of it. With a supportive manager, who will pay for clases, and pay for your time, it is fine...even if it does mean leaving at 5 am to be at big city hospital at 8 am for class. ACLS, PALS, etc. are offered here.
9) What kind of advice would you give a new graduate regarding practice in the rural setting? Country living isn`t for everyone...make sure this is where you really want to live...When I need new birkies or scrubs..it means a drive..but then with the internet, that problem is geting better.
10) Any other comments? There isn`t enough money to get me to live in a city..I like to be able to breathe clean air, not lock my car...most of the time I don`t lock my house...I can see the stars at night, and have coyotes sing me to sleep....

Nancy RN

Also, please include your credentials.

Thank you for your time,
Mary

cwazycwissyRN, RN · Mar 23, 2003

Originally posted by nadia562002
Hi,
I am a nursing student at the Intercollegiate College of Nursing. My group is writing a paper on rural nursing. We are looking for an experienced nurse who has worked in the rural setting. Would you or someone who works in the rural setting be willing to answer our questions? If so, here they are.

1) What attracted you to rural nursing? It is where I lived
2) How long have you done it? I did it for 10 years
3) What kind of challenges are present for rural nurses? Working and cross training to other departments, responding to codes or crisis situations in any department and becoming a jack of all trades is common. Stabilizing patients until they can be transported out can be vey challenging.
4) Is there any additional education needed to practice in a rural setting? If so, where can this education be obtained? no
5) Is there additional liability inherent in practicing in a rural setting? The masses are few, so the few had better know the standards of care, OSHA, JACHO, ect well.
6) What is the typical salary of nurses who work in rural settings? I would imagine that to vary.
7) What is a typical day like in a rural setting? Your assighnment will multiply as the day goes on. Wear your track shoes and expect for your horizon to get expanded.
8) Is continuing education utilized as much as it should be? vs the metropolitan counterparts. Yes, in my experience....more
9) What kind of advice would you give a new graduate regarding practice in the rural setting? A great place to learn a very good foundation to nursing and to get a taste of every department.
10) Any other comments? I am not currently in rual nursing. I chose to go to a larger hospital to work. I do not believe rual nurses get credit where credit is do. They have to opportunity to become well rounded nurses with a knowledge base in so many different aspects of nursing. My hat is off to rual America nurses...
Chrissy RN

Also, please include your credentials.

Thank you for your time,
Mary

ruralpmhnp · Apr 1, 2003

Hi Mary~

I apologize for my lack of response to your post when you needed answers. My computer died on me and I have just been able to reconnect with the outside world!

I am an ICNE alumni (Spokane, WA campus) and I am currently in advanced practice in rural Oregon. If you need any further input regarding rural nursing I would happy to oblige you.

I do hope your paper evolved well.

Take care and best wishes~

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2003

Just cought your thread - I am not currently working in the rural area but did for many many years as well as teaching rural RN in inservice programs. Was in on the start of the Rural health training units here in Queensland but if your from USA Contact me direct either by PM or by email and I will give you more information

nadia562002 · Apr 1, 2003

I just thought I would tell you all that my group got an A on this paper. The instructor loved Cactus Wren's comments about hearing the coyotes at night.

Aside from the paper, I am lucky enough to get assigned to Deer Park Hospital which has 25 beds and one charge nurse for each shift. THis is for my senior practicum so it is for 105 additional clinical hours I can add to my resume. I am sure that it will be fun and interesting.

Mary

cactus wren · Apr 10, 2003

Whoopee !!! Good going !!....And I hope that your clinicals are great....

ragNZ · Aug 13, 2003

I am interested in rural nursing in Australia, as I am from a small New zealand town. Citys are not really my scene. I just wonder how long does it take to get used to the heat. I would hate to put in for a job, and find my body cant take the change in climate. That would be so bad. I live in new zealand and today was around 18-22 maybe, the summer can be around 25-30. Does one get used to it? Catch u later.