“Finding my own time”: Examining the spatially produced experiences of rural RNs in the rural nursing certificate program

Summary Context Rural nurses require access to education that exposes them to the most up-to-date information and skill development. However, since most education opportunities are located in urban centers and focused on providing skills to urban nurses, geography effectively acts as a barrier to accessing education that meets the needs of rural nurses. The Rural Nursing Certificate Program is a post-basic education program that addresses these concerns by providing rural-relevant content online, with limited campus sessions. Purpose Does online delivery of rural nursing curriculum overcome challenges related to geography? Methods This study employed surveys with some open-ended questions. Analysis included descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings Students reported that online delivery improved access. Benefits included not having to relocate; being able to continue working; and, flexibility. Challenges included travel for practical experiences and time management related to staffing shortages, personal–professional overlap and family responsibilities. Conclusions Online learning improved access to nursing education. However, the realities of rural nursing made it impossible to completely overcome geography: sense of obligation to work overtime, cost and time of traveling to workshops and practicums, uneven access to the Internet and computer services, and distance from peer and university support remained challenges.