Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are crucial to rural healthcare, where they are the primary anesthesia providers in many areas. Over 80% of anesthesia services in rural communities are delivered by CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. In some states, CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are the sole anesthesia professionals in nearly all rural hospitals, providing essential services such as obstetrics, surgery, trauma stabilization, and pain management. This significant presence helps maintain access to healthcare in areas with limited medical resources and providers.
AANA’s career platform MOTION can help you find outstanding opportunities in both rural and urban areas. If you’re interested in a rural position, you may enjoy several benefits, including:
1. Professional Autonomy
In rural areas, CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists often have a high degree of independence and decision-making authority due to a lack of other healthcare providers residing and practicing in those locations. According to a study published in the journal Medical Care in 2019, “CRNAs comprised over 80% of all anesthesia providers in rural communities.” The same study found that states with less restrictive scope of practice regulations and favorable reimbursement policies like Medicare opt-out, were more likely to have a larger supply of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, and that relationship was stronger in rural areas. Other research has found “CRNAs in particular had strong, diverse skill sets and many [rural] hospitals allowed high CRNA autonomy.”
- Fully using their skills
- Practicing to the fullest extent of their legal scope of practice
- Satisfied with their work
- Planning to stay in their jobs
Since rural facilities are typically smaller than those in suburban or urban areas, CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists may be able to practice more comprehensive care to address a broader range of patient needs.
2. Competitive Salaries and Lower Cost of Living
Healthcare provider shortages across the country continue to drive the demand for healthcare professionals in specific locations. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) reports that 99 million Americans live in health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), many of them rural. To fill these much-needed positions, many employers offer higher pay.
The cost of living is another important factor, particularly for recent graduates of nurse anesthesiology training. If paying off student loans is a top goal, choosing a rural location—where housing, childcare, and entertainment may be cheaper—could help.
3. Financial Incentives
You might qualify for loan repayment programs and other financial incentives aimed at attracting healthcare professionals to rural areas. As public health and policy efforts continue to address the health disparities plaguing rural communities, many state and federal programs have been created to support advanced practitioners who wish to practice rural medicine and help close the gap.
The Rural Health Information (RHI) Hub, supported by the HRSA, compiles financial aid options in many forms, including:
- Loan repayment programs
- Tax credits
- Bonus payments
- Other financial incentives
4. Student Loan Repayment
If you’re interested in rural healthcare, the RHI Hub highlights loan repayment programs in many specialties nationwide, helping CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists reduce educational debt while serving communities in need.
5. Community Impact
Working in a rural setting allows CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists to make a significant difference in the health and well-being of underserved populations by providing critical anesthesia services where they are needed most.
6. Diverse Case Experience
In a rural setting, CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists may handle a wider variety of cases, enhancing their skills and clinical experience. Because rural providers often work with limited resources, they develop the ability to adapt, troubleshoot, and problem-solve in ways that broaden their expertise.
7. Job Satisfaction
The ability to address unique healthcare challenges and improve access to care, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, can lead to greater job satisfaction for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists in rural areas.
If you’re considering a rewarding career path that offers financial benefits, professional autonomy, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, a rural CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist position may be the right fit for you.