SILVER SPRING, Md. (RFD News) — Rural healthcare organizations continue to face workforce challenges as nurse burnout and turnover threaten access to care in many communities.
Adriane Griffen with the American Nurses Foundation joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss the issue and a new micro-grant program aimed at improving nurse retention.
In her conversation with RFD News, Griffen said rural nurses often provide a broad range of care because specialists are not always available. She said burnout and turnover can reduce access to primary and specialty care for rural residents.
Griffen said the foundation is accepting applications for eight micro-grants to help rural healthcare sites strengthen nurse support and retention. Eligible rural healthcare sites can apply through the American Nurses Foundation.
Griffen also discussed the foundation’s lawsuit challenging the Department of Education’s decision to remove nursing from the list of professional degree programs. She said the policy could make it harder for nurses to pursue advanced degrees needed to provide care in rural communities.
