Rural and Remote Continuing Nursing Education: An Integrative Literature Review

Authors

  • Michelle Pavloff Saskatchewan Polytechnic
  • Pamela M. Farthing Saskatchewan Polytechnic
  • Elsie Duff Saskatchewan Polytechnic

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v17i2.450

Abstract

Background:  Rural and remote nursing has unique practice requirements that create a need for distinct education and practice preparation.  Preparing registered nurses (RNs) to work in rural and remote communities is essential for the support and advancement of rural and remote health, as there is a shortage of rural and remote health care providers.

Purpose:  An integrative literature review was conducted to identify the current continuing education needs of rural and remote RNs internationally.

Sample: Eight studies were included in the integrative review of the literature.  Countries reported in the literature included Canada (n = 2), Australia (n = 2), Sweden (n = 1) and the United States (n = 3).

Method:  An integrative literature review on rural and remote nursing practice continuing education was conducted using Torraco’s (2005) guidelines, in addition to Whittemore and Knafl’s (2005) methodological strategies.  A search strategy was created, tested, and approved by the research team.Themes were extracted, collated, analyzed, and knowledge synthesized.

Findings:  Rural and remote RNs identified areas requiring enhanced ongoing training.  The identified training areas were summarized into the following four themes: 1) Comprehensive specialized nursing practice for direct patient care, 2) Unanticipated events, 3) Non-direct patient care, and 4) Advanced specialty courses.

Conclusion:  The autonomy, competency, and expertise that is expected of RNs working in rural and remote locations requires educational supports. Rural and remote nursing continuing education is required in the areas of: comprehensive specialized nursing practice for direct patient care, unanticipated events, non-direct patient care, and advanced specialty courses.  

 

Keywords: continuing education, integrative review, registered nurse(s), remote, rural

 

Acknowledgements: The authors thank Saskatchewan Polytechnic for partial funding of this review through the Seed Applied Research Program.  The authors also thank their research team member Chau Ha and research assistant Devendrakumar Kanani for their contributions to this integrative review.

 

Author Biographies

  • Michelle Pavloff, Saskatchewan Polytechnic

    Michelle Pavloff RN, BSN, MN, PhD(c)

    Faculty, Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing, School of Nursing, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

    Undergraduate adjunct professor, University of Regina

     

  • Pamela M. Farthing, Saskatchewan Polytechnic

    Pamela M. Farthing RN, BA, MSc, PhD student

    Faculty, Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing, School of Nursing, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

    Undergraduate adjunct professor, University of Regina

  • Elsie Duff, Saskatchewan Polytechnic

    Elsie Duff RN, NP, BScN, MEd, PhD


    Faculty, Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Program, School of Nursing, Saskatchewan Polytechnic


    Graduate adjunct professor, University of Regina

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Published

2017-11-16

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