Healthcare Innovation January 20, 2026
A new study highlights the critical shortage of registered nurses in rural U.S. communities, emphasizing the need for multifaceted recruitment and retention strategies
Key Highlights
- Only 16 percent of U.S. registered nurses practice in rural areas, impacting over 2.7 million rural residents and veterans receiving care through the VHA.
- Most programs focus on education, such as residencies and pathways for rural students, but few employ multi-strategy approaches to address complex barriers.
- Financial incentives such as scholarships and loan repayment assistance are underutilized, and policy or regulatory efforts are minimal, underscoring the need for expanded support.
- The scarcity of program evaluations and mental health resources for rural nurses represents a critical gap that future initiatives should address.
- Policymakers, educators, and...
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