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- Nursing specialties
- Rural nurse
Rural nurse
A rural nurse helps patients living in geographically and culturally isolated areas, who may have limited access to healthcare.
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Required education
ADN or BSN
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
Managerial
Oversee other nurses and help improve healthcare for all.
Out-of-hospital
Treat patients in their homes, during travel, or other non-hospital environments.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
What is the role of a rural nurse?
You’ll be skilled in all areas of nursing, with the ability to serve as the primary caregiver of a whole community.
What you’ll do as a rural nurse
Assessment
You’ll evaluate and diagnose patients with a wide variety of ailments.
Education
You’ll teach people about health and wellness.
Interaction
You’ll likely develop close relationships with the people of the communities you work in.
Management
You’ll be in charge of managing supplies and resources within a community.
Treatment
You’ll treat a wide variety or illnesses and injuries and may be adept at critical care, trauma, labor, and delivery.
Where you’ll work as a rural nurse
Rural nurses work in a variety of settings, including:
- Community clinics
- Doctors’ offices
- Hospitals
- Mobile health center
How to become a rural nurse
Get an Associate’s Degrees in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.
Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.
The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.
Get your Rural Nurse Board Certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
You’re ready to work as a rural nurse!
From isolation to connection: How this rural nurse residency program builds community
In many rural hospitals, new nurses may be the only graduate hired that year. The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program connects them with peers across hospitals, creating the support network they need to build confidence and thrive in practice.
Rural nurse career resources
Rural nurse career resources Become a member of a rural nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Rural Nursing Organization
Rural Nursing Organization
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