Sustaining rural maternity care — Don’t forget the RNs

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This article examines the critical role of registered nurses (RNs) in sustaining rural maternity care, particularly in the context of a national nursing shortage. The study involved a systematic review of maternal-child nursing literature and an institutional ethnography at a rural Ontario hospital. Findings highlight that rural RNs often serve as multi-specialists, requiring support similar to physicians, such as continuing education and collaborative care models. The research underscores the need for Canadian data to better educate, recruit, and retain RNs in rural areas, suggesting that integrating midwives and understanding the role of doulas could enhance maternity care sustainability.

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