ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of national trends and developments, current status and availability, and future directions of professional nursing services for the rural-dwelling older adult. Discussion of professional nursing services for rural older adults must include an acknowledgement that nursing practice differs significantly between rural and urban environments. To address changing demographics in rural populations, demand on health care resources, and workforce issues, it will be essential to expand current professional nursing scope of practice. The concepts that provide the rural nursing theory base are health beliefs, isolation, distance, self-reliance, outsider/insider, old-timer/newcomer, resources, informal networks, lay care network, lack of anonymity, familiarity, and professional isolation. Health care policy changes over the past several decades have drastically impacted access to health services. Professional nurses have the knowledge and skills to provide the necessary link to improving access to quality care.
