Experiences of Rural Nurses who Commute to Larger Communities

Authors

  • Laurie Jo Johansen Southwest Minnesota State University
  • Tracy A Evanson University of North Dakota
  • Jody L Ralph University of Windsor
  • Cheryl Hunter University of North Dakota
  • Gary Hart University of North Dakota

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v18i2.540

Keywords:

Nurses, Rural Nurses Commuting, Employment, Job

Abstract

Background: Healthcare disparities for rural U.S. populations occur in part due to lack of healthcare providers.  Increasing numbers of registered nurses (RNs) commuting away from rural communities for employment contributes to the rural population’s challenges accessing healthcare.  It is largely assumed in the literature that wages are the driving force behind rural nurses’ commuting decisions.  However, the actual experiences of RNs living in rural communities who commute to larger communities for employment is absent in the extant literature. 

Purpose: This descriptive, phenomenological study explored the phenomenon of commuting away among RNs living in rural communities who commuted to larger communities for employment. 

Methods: Participants included currently licensed RNs, residing in rural communities with a critical access hospital, that had a population of less than 2,500, who commuted for employment in larger communities.  Purposeful sampling with snowballing led to 16 RNs from two Midwestern states, providing rich variations in personal and professional experiences.  Data were collected via semi-structured interviews. 

Findings: The core meaning, or essence, of the phenomenon of commuting away was found to be “Commuting to achieve personal and professional goals while being a nurse in a rural community.”  Multifaceted reasons surfaced for RNs to commute for employment.  Most noteworthy reasons for employment decisions included opportunities for specialized areas of nursing not available in rural healthcare settings, along with advancement opportunities.  Additionally, all RNs in the study were found to appreciate feeling valued as a nurse by members of their rural communities. 

Conclusion: The multi-faceted reasons for commuting away indicated that “one size fits all” plans for recruitment and retention efforts will not meet the needs of rural nurses, and neither will simply increasing rural nurse wages.  Study results are relevant to policy development, nursing practice, nursing education, and future development, recruitment, and retention efforts of nurses serving rural populations.    

Keywords:  Nurses, rural nurses commuting, employment, job

DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v18i2.540  

Author Biographies

  • Laurie Jo Johansen, Southwest Minnesota State University

    PhD, MS, BSN
    Professor and Director of Nursing, Department of Nursing 

     

  • Tracy A Evanson, University of North Dakota

    PhD, RN, PHNA-BC
    Professor and Director of PhD Program, College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines

  • Jody L Ralph, University of Windsor

     PhD, RN
    Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing. 

     

  • Cheryl Hunter, University of North Dakota

    PhD
    Associate Professor, College of Education and Human Development

  • Gary Hart, University of North Dakota

    PhD
    Professor, School of Medicine and Health Sciences & Director, Center for Rural Health

Downloads

Published

2018-09-19

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share (for non-commerical purposes) the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).