Most Underserved Area

[oldsockventriloquist]

I know there are many places listed on the HRSA website, but what in your opinion are some of the most underserved areas or facilities in the US, where registered nurses can work in mental health or primary care? How are those places advertising demand for nurses? Excluding NURSE Corps, are there any benefits that nurses should look out for when applying to facilities in those areas?

[quazar]

Very rural hospitals, and hospitals in large urban settings that serve large populations of uninsured/underinsured and low socio-econonmic status patients are most in need. As for how they are advertising their need, I cannot answer that question for you. I think something you should always look out for is what kind of reputation the facility has among nurses, with regards to things like responsiveness of upper management, dealing with disruptive behavior from both patients and physicians, and the overall safety of the environment itself. If it is in a high crime area, for example, are there metal detectors and police and locked doors at the ER entrances, and is security taken seriously? If it is in a very rural area, what is the procedure for transferring a critically ill patient to a tertiary referral center, and how quickly does that happen when it is needed? Is the necessary equipment for basic short term critical care life support available while you await transfer? Is appropriately trained staff available to treat the patient (e.g., a neonatologist or NNP for a severely premature infant, or a trauma surgeon) in case of emergency? Stuff like that.

[oldsockventriloquist]

Very rural hospitals, and hospitals in large urban settings that serve large populations of uninsured/underinsured and low socio-econonmic status patients are most in need. As for how they are advertising their need, I cannot answer that question for you. I think something you should always look out for is what kind of reputation the facility has among nurses, with regards to things like responsiveness of upper management, dealing with disruptive behavior from both patients and physicians, and the overall safety of the environment itself. If it is in a high crime area, for example, are there metal detectors and police and locked doors at the ER entrances, and is security taken seriously? If it is in a very rural area, what is the procedure for transferring a critically ill patient to a tertiary referral center, and how quickly does that happen when it is needed? Is the necessary equipment for basic short term critical care life support available while you await transfer? Is appropriately trained staff available to treat the patient (e.g., a neonatologist or NNP for a severely premature infant, or a trauma surgeon) in case of emergency? Stuff like that.

Great tips. I forgot to add if anyone has worked in a rural community, I'd like to hear about your experience. So if they don't have trained staff, which could be expected in really rural places, is that a no go? How much autonomy to nurses get in those places?