A Rural Nursing Center Without Walls

Abstract

Background. Conducting nursing research with rural populations is complicated by multidimensional characteristics of rural dwellers; rural environment; paucity of nurse scientists prepared and supported to conduct rural research; and institutional constraints of academic entities serving rural communities. Unique research strategies are required to meet these challenges. Purposes. To review the history of the Center for Research on Chronic Health Conditions in Rural Dwellers (CRCHC), report the degree to which its objectives were met, summarize its accomplishments over five years, and explicate the strategies used to overcome the challenges of conducting rural nursing research in the western United States. Findings. The CRCHC was successful in building human research capacity, supporting the development of rural nursing science, and increasing research productivity. Conclusions. A Center model is one mechanism that has been demonstrated to effectively meet the challenges of conducting rural nursing research in the rural mountain west.