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Background/Need
Cont'd Of the 254 Texas counties
77% (196) are classified
as rural (Non-Metropolitan Statistical Area) counties.
In those rural counties, there are 13,572 nurses active in the
profession. (Source: Texas Dept. of Health, Health Professions
Resource Center - 1/22/03).
According to the Texas Nursing Foundation, there are
- 450
employed RN’s per 100,000 population in rural Texas
- 600 employed
RN’s per 100,000 population in urban counties
- 780 employed RN’s per
100,000 population for the United States.
Clearly, there is a critical need to retain, as well as recruit,
registered nurses for work in rural settings that are supportive of
nursing practice.
Because of limited funds and small management staffs, the average
Texas rural/small hospital may need assistance to implement a
comprehensive worksite/patient care quality improvement program such as the
Texas Nurses Association Nurse-Friendly Hospital Designation.
The Texas Nurse-Friendly Program for Rural/Small Hospitals
specifically addresses these issues. The program is based on the TNA
Nurse-Friendly Criteria.
TNA Nurse-Friendly Criteria
- Safety of the Work
- Environment
- Systems Exist to Address Patient Care Concerns
- Nurse Orientation
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Professional Development
- Competitive Wages
- Nurse Recognition
- Balance Lifestyle
- Zero Tolerance Policy for Nurse Abuse
- Middle Management Accountability
- Quality Initiatives
TNA’s Committee on Practice Issues
developed the 12 criteria to provide suggestions, based on expert
nurse input and the nursing literature, for the essential elements
of the ideal nurse work environment. The criteria represent
qualities identified by nurses and research as important to the
highest quality of patient care, nursing practice, professional
development, and job satisfaction.
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