What Australian Nursing Students Value as Important in Undertaking Rural Practice

Authors

  • Daniel R Terry Federation University Australia
  • Blake Peck
  • Andrew Smith Federation University
  • Tyrin Stevenson Boise State University
  • Hoang Nguyen University of Tasmania
  • Ed Baker Boise State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v20i1.589

Abstract

Background: Rural health services in Australia are continually challenged by both the recruitment and retention of the nursing workforce. The aim of the study was to examine what nursing students consider the most important factors for undertaking a rural career in Australia.

Methods: Nursing students (n=1,982) studying a three-year bachelor’s degree at an Australian University were invited to complete an online survey that examined their rural practice intentions. The questionnaire included demographic, rural background and career intentions, and a modified Nursing Community Apgar Questionnaire (NCAQ).

Results: The factors identified most important among nursing students when considering rural practice include patient safety and high-quality care, having autonomy and respect from management, the establishment of positive relationships and good communication between different generations of nurses, and the work environment providing job satisfaction with good morale.

Conclusions: This study provided insight for rural and regional universities and health services to better demonstrate what students indicate is important to take up rural practice, while highlighting unique challenges for the rural nursing workforce. Key elements are proposed that may be augmented at the university and health service level to guide recruitment and possibly retention. Rural recruitment and retention of new graduate nurses may be better achieved by addressing what nursing students feel are most important to them when considering rural practice, which are focused around management, decision-making, and practice environment factors rather than economic or community-based factors. The greatest importance to students is the ‘fit between’ them and the agency and much less about their ‘fit with’ the community into which they will be entering

Author Biographies

  • Daniel R Terry, Federation University Australia

    School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions

  • Blake Peck

    PhD

    Senior Lecturer and Graduate Program Coordinator, School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions.

  • Andrew Smith, Federation University

    MPH

    Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Coordinator, School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions

  • Tyrin Stevenson, Boise State University

    MHS

    Adjunct Professor, Center for Health Policy

  • Hoang Nguyen, University of Tasmania

    PhD

    Lecturer, Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre

  • Ed Baker, Boise State University

    PhD

    Professor, Department of Community and Environmental Health and Director,  Center for Health Policy

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Published

2020-05-01