Strengthening Rural Health Care: A Scoping Review of Nurse Recruitment and Retention Strategies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite nursing being the largest US health profession, only 16% of registered nurses (RNs) practice in rural areas, where health care access is limited. This significantly impacts rural residents, including over 2.7 million rural veterans receiving care at the Veterans Health Administration, leading to compromised health outcomes. Nurses are vital in primary care, improving coordination and management of chronic conditions.

Objectives

Identify recruitment and retention programs for rural nurses (licensed vocational nurses/licensed practical nurses and RNs), including strategy characteristics and location.

Research design

We conducted a scoping review of published and gray literature. Eligible studies targeted US rural nurse recruitment and retention strate

SUBMITTER: Arredondo K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12685317 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature