The Center for Research on Chronic Health Conditions: a strategy for enhancing rural nursing research.

Abstract

Conducting nursing research with rural populations is influenced by the multidimensional characteristics of rural dwellers, the rural environment, the paucity of nurse scientists prepared and supported to conduct rural research, and institutional constraints common to academic institutions serving rural communities. Collaboration across rural academic settings is therefore integral to the success of rural nursing science. The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of the Center for Research on Chronic Health Conditions in Rural Dwellers as a strategy for overcoming the challenges of conducting rural nursing research in the rural western mountain region of the United States.