Alice March, MS RN PhD studen, Tzu-I Chiu, MS RN PhD studen, Eman Dawood, MS RN Phd studen, Jamie Klesh, MS APRN PhD stud, Jana Ambrogne, PhD CNS, and Lindsay Lake Morgan, RN, GNP, PhD. Decker School of Nursing, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, 607-725-2788, alicemarch@hotmail.com

This poster presentation communicates the process and results of a qualitative study conducted by doctoral students and faculty. The study was undertaken as a part of a qualitative inquiry class in a rural nursing program. Students gained experience with qualitative research methods including interviewing, transcribing, coding and data analysis. The rural environment of the United States is comprised of vulnerable populations, who suffer the double jeopardy of that vulnerability combined with issues related to access to healthcare. One-fourth of the people in America live in rural communities. Thirty-one of the fifty United States have at least 60% of their counties designated as rural. Rural nurses are distinct and must possess a wide range of knowledge, ability, and commitment to practice proficiently. Despite this, the literature lacks a definition of rural nursing. In order to improve recruitment and retention of nurses to the rural environment, this study seeks to understand nursing student’s perceptions of rural nursing. Audio taped interviews were conducted with seven senior undergraduate nursing students. The research group analyzed the resulting transcriptions, and developed theme clusters. The goal of the analysis is a substantive theory. The learning process of the doctoral students is reviewed. The current state of the data analysis is presented, and implications for nursing practice related to recruitment and retention issues are stated. Undergraduate curriculum development content areas are explicated and recommendations for future research are listed.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the process of conducting a qualitative study from the perspective of doctoral students.
• Identify undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of nurses in rural practice environments.
• Present implications related to recruitment and retention of rural nurses.
• Explicate recommendations for undergraduate curriculum development.

Keywords: Nursing Education, Rural Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.