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Tracks to Postgraduate Rural Practice: Longitudinal Qualitative Follow-Up of Nursing Students Who Undertook a Rural Placement in Western Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Caroline Crossley

    (Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6531, Australia)

  • Marjorie Collett

    (Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6531, Australia)

  • Sandra C. Thompson

    (Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6531, Australia)

Abstract

The nursing workforce is the backbone of healthcare provision in rural and remote Australia. Introducing student nurses to rural clinical placements is one strategy used to address the shortfall of healthcare workers outside of major cities, with the goal of improving the training, recruitment and retention of nurses in rural areas. The aim of this qualitative, longitudinal study was to better understand personal and professional decision-making around rural nursing practice intentions and subsequent rural employment and retention. The study methodology consisted of repeated semi-structured interviews with student nurses who had completed at least one rural placement and following them on their journey to becoming graduate nurses over a 6-year period. Thematic longitudinal analysis was undertaken, with three main themes developing, each with further subthemes: (1) participants’ satisfaction with rural placements; (2) their challenges with gaining employment; and (3) considerations regarding ‘going rural’ for work. The participants engaged in both prospective and retrospective reflection around several professional, personal, and wider systemic barriers and enablers to rural practice, which are discussed in detail in this paper. The insights from this longitudinal study have the potential to assist the development of a sustainable rural nursing workforce through informing rural workforce programs, strategies and policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline Crossley & Marjorie Collett & Sandra C. Thompson, 2023. "Tracks to Postgraduate Rural Practice: Longitudinal Qualitative Follow-Up of Nursing Students Who Undertook a Rural Placement in Western Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:5113-:d:1096844
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rosalie D. Thackrah & Jennifer Wood & Sandra C. Thompson, 2021. "Longitudinal Follow Up of Early Career Midwives: Insights Related to Racism Show the Need for Increased Commitment to Cultural Safety in Aboriginal Maternity Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Catherine Cosgrave & Christina Malatzky & Judy Gillespie, 2019. "Social Determinants of Rural Health Workforce Retention: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Catherine Cosgrave, 2020. "The Whole-of-Person Retention Improvement Framework: A Guide for Addressing Health Workforce Challenges in the Rural Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Jens Holst, 2020. "Increasing Rural Recruitment and Retention through Rural Exposure during Undergraduate Training: An Integrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, September.
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