Grant: Operating Grant

People who live in rural and remote parts of Canada (including the North) tend to have more health challenges than people living in urban areas. Rural and remote communities also have chronic shortages of health care workers, including nurses. The Nature of Nursing Practice in Rural and Remote Canada study (2001-04) was the first nation-wide study to look at these issues. In order to keep improving health services and support nurses in rural and remote communities, planners and policy makers need up-to-date information. Nursing Practice in Rural and Remote Canada II will provide that information. This research will survey over 9,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) in rural and remote communities in every province and territory of Canada. The survey will ask questions about the nurses, their practice and what contributes to their recruitment and retention. The study will take place over three years, from 2013 to 2016. It will be done in partnership with planners and policy makers, who will make sure that the findings can be used to improve nursing services and access to care in rural and remote Canada.