Rural nurses are required to have a breadth and depth of knowledge unparalleled in other specialty nursing fields. The immense generalist role of the rural nurse often leads to early burnout and high turnover rates when compared with more urban nurse roles (up to 65% in the first year of practice). Residency or Transition-to- Practice programs have been shown to be an effective means of reducing the turnover of new and transitioning nurses, improving their job satisfaction, and hastening critical thinking skills.
And so, it is with great excitement that Idaho State University (ISU) developed the Northwest Rural Nurse Residency (NWRNR) program. Participants receive all of their training (64-hours of seminars and a 104-hour supervised clinical experience) ‘at home' in their own facilities and communities from top-notch rural nurse experts. Using new technologies like web-conferencing and high tech simulation make it possible for the program to be offered at no cost to participants. Program faculty and staff provide a support and information for preceptors, residents and nurse administrators to help ensure a flexible, locally adapted, successful completion of the 12-month program.
The next sessions begins in June 2010. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply today! Be one of the first facilities in your area to boast the employment of rural nurse specialists while enjoying the benefits of improved clinical performance and lower nurse turnover. To learn more about the NWRNR please call the ISU Office of Professional Development at (208) 282-2982, email at nurseopd@isu.edu or visit the NWRNR website at http://www.isu.edu/nursing/opd/nwrnr.shtml
Nurse Loan Repayment Program Now Accepting Applications
Nurses have the opportunity to pay off a portion of their student loans through a program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration. Applications are now available for the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program. The deadline to apply is March 4. In exchange for two years of service, participants receive 60 percent of their total qualifying nursing education loan balance. For an optional third year of service, participants may receive 25 percent of their original total qualifying nursing education loan balance. Program details are available on the HRSA website or email Beth Zbrowoski at bethz@wsha.org.
Washington Rural Health Association Resource Links
