A new report from the National Rural Health Center (NRHC) examines the commuting culture of registered nurses (RNs) in rural areas.
Many registered nurses (RNs) living in rural areas of the U.S. leave their communities to work in other rural and urban communities. In an attempt to understand why, this study compared rural RNs who commute (work in different area types than those in which they live) to those who do not.
Using the 2004 National Sample Survey of RNs, the Economic Research Service (ERS) County Typology Codes, and Claritas population data, researchers examined commuters and non-commuters in terms of demographic and employment characteristics, the economic profiles of their residence and work counties, types of rural areas, and regions of the country. Rural RN “commuters” were more likely to be younger; work in hospitals; hold staff nurse, nurse clinician, or consulting positions; have changed employers in the prior year; and have higher salaries than “non-commuters.”
These findings suggest that policies supporting more competitive rural RN salaries could encourage more rural-residing RNs to work in the rural communities in which they live. Further study is needed to improve understanding of the impact of RN commuting on rural communities.
Contact information:
Susan Skillman, MS
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 206-543-3557
skillman@uw.edu
Additional Resources of Interest:
Using the 2004 National Sample Survey of RNs, the Economic Research Service (ERS) County Typology Codes, and Claritas population data, researchers examined commuters and non-commuters in terms of demographic and employment characteristics, the economic profiles of their residence and work counties, types of rural areas, and regions of the country. Rural RN “commuters” were more likely to be younger; work in hospitals; hold staff nurse, nurse clinician, or consulting positions; have changed employers in the prior year; and have higher salaries than “non-commuters.”
These findings suggest that policies supporting more competitive rural RN salaries could encourage more rural-residing RNs to work in the rural communities in which they live. Further study is needed to improve understanding of the impact of RN commuting on rural communities.
Contact information:
Susan Skillman, MS
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 206-543-3557
skillman@uw.edu
Additional Resources of Interest:
- Nurse Staffing and Rural Hospital Performance Improvement (Policy Brief)
- Use of Hospitalists in Small Rural Hospitals
- More information about the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
