Taking care of rural communities:
Who will be there?
Researchers identify major issues at the conclusion of a first-ever national study of rural nurses, led by UNBC.
Igloolik is about as rural as it gets in Canada. Located northwest of
Iqaluit in Nunavut, the historic community is home to about 1300
people, including UNBC grad Rayleen Swansen. Rayleen has been a nurse
in the community for the past 6 years and has been in a tremendous
position to experience both the challenges and rewards of being a rural
nurse. “We are it,” states Rayleen, noting that the closest physician
(and hospital, for that matter) is in Iqaluit, about 800 kilometres
away – 2 1/2 hours by plane. “There’s a huge difference between being a
nurse in an urban hospital and working here. We have to make judgments
for our patients based on our knowledge and experience. Babies come
into this world on their own time and in the vast wilderness,
life-threatening emergencies happen. We care for all.”
Coming to grips with what it really means to be a rural nurse has been
behind one of the biggest research projects ever undertaken at UNBC.
Nursing professor Martha MacLeod led the study involving
co-researchers, advisors, and funders from every province and territory
in Canada. After poring over other studies, reviewing the database of
registered nurses, leading a unique survey of 4000 rural nurses, and
conducting detailed interviews with another 150 nurses, MacLeod and her
co-researchers detailed – for the first time – what rural nurse
practice entails, providing valuable ammunition for making health
policy, educating rural nurses, and improving rural nurse recruitment
and retention. Rayleen Swansen has a clear perspective on the issue.
“Right now, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen it,” says Rayleen, “We’re
down from 5 nurses to 2 and we’re either working or on call almost all
of the time. Providing relevant training – and continuing education for
those of us working here – is the biggest single issue. I’ve probably
seen 50
or 60 nurses come here, only to leave as soon as they’ve discovered
they don’t have the training or personality required for this job.”
It’s a similar story across Canada. Rural nurses cite frustration with
the inability to access education to upgrade their skills and the long
hours (either on-shift or on-call) that leave little downtime for
family or community involvement.
Over the past ten years, the number of rural nurses has declined by 4%
and the problem could get worse. About 20% of rural nurses are poised
to retire over the next few years and even more are considering moving
elsewhere in Canada – often to an urban centre. In fact, migration
within Canada is more than twice as large an issue for rural
communities than for urban centres. Yet, it is rural communities that
can least afford to lose their nurses. Currently in Canada’s urban
centres, there are 78 nurses per 10,000 population. In rural areas,
there are only 62. The situation has prompted researchers to ask
whether a rural health care crisis is at hand.
“For the work we do and the decision-making our patients rely on, we
are underpaid and we get nothing in terms of ongoing education,” says
Rayleen. “The terrific people in the community and the challenges of
providing advanced care keep us here, but there are a lot of things
that could make life easier for us.”
Martha MacLeod is interested in pointing the way for communities,
health authorities, governments, and anyone else interested in
supporting the vital role nurses play. “Anecdotal stories are
important, but they aren’t enough,” she says. “Policy-makers need facts
and this study has shown very clearly that rural nurses have greater
responsibility and fewer technical and human resources to support them.
Now, as a society, it’s our turn to respond. We have to make our
educational programs more relevant and accessible. We have to better
appreciate the conditions these nurses work under. Now is the time for
action.”
|
|
Rayleen Swansen knows
first-hand the challenges of being a nurse in a rural community. Unlike
urban areas, access to special equipment, supplies – or even a
physician – may be hours away.
Responding to Rural Health
Regional Expansion
UNBC’s undergraduate Nursing program is being expanded to Terrace in
partnership with Northwest Community College and the College of New
Caledonia. 18 students will begin the program this fall, pushing total
enrolment in Nursing throughout northern BC to nearly 140. Last year,
86% of UNBC Nursing grads were hired by the Northern Health Authority.
Nurse Practitioner Program
UNBC is putting the final touches on a new master’s-level Family Nurse
Practitioner program that is slated to begin this fall. Nurse
Practitioners are registered nurses with advanced skills that enable
them to provide a broad range of health services, including the
diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses and the ability
to prescribe medication. Nurse Practitioners will provide high quality
primary health care in collaboration with other nurses, physicians, and
other health service providers, tailored to meet the needs of northern
communities. |
Nursing professor Martha MacLeod led one of the biggest research projects ever undertaken at UNBC.
|
