Developing the Rural Nursing Workforce: Leveraging Community Support to Develop Our Future Nursing Leaders

Developing the Rural Nursing Workforce: Leveraging Community Support to Develop Our Future Nursing Leaders

The shortage of qualified health professionals in rural and remote areas presents significant challenges to sustainable healthcare delivery. Addressing this gap requires innovative solutions that harness local resources, strategic collaborations, and community engagement. The Bachelor of Nursing (end-to-end) program at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), offered in Charleville, QLD (MM7), exemplifies this approach. This program is the only one of its kind to be offered in such a remote setting. Its success is driven in part by the strength of its collaboration with key stakeholders, including the South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS), South Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), Charleville State High School (CSHS), Murweh Shire Council, and other local entities. This approach cultivates a pipeline of locally trained nurses by offering tailored education, mentorship, and training experiences. These opportunities allow students to live, work, study, and undertake placements within their local area, equipping them with a deeper understanding of the rural health context and the challenges these communities face. Through the development of strong community connections gained via shared experiences, students emerge as our future nursing leaders upon graduation. This presentation will explore the successes, challenges, and future directions of the program, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can successfully bridge the workforce gap in rural nursing while developing our future nursing leaders.

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