McElroy, Michelle, Harvey, Nichole, Wicking, Kristin, and Yates, Karen (2025) Experiences and perceptions of rural and remote nurses caring for pregnant women. In: AYRI Conference 2025: Conference Proceedings Booklet. From: AYRI 2025: 12th Biennial Are You Remotely Interested? Conference, 15-17 July 2025, Mount Isa, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Background: The closure of rural and remote maternity units in Australia has created a significant gap in care for pregnant women. The decline in the number of health professionals with dual nursing and midwifery registration has led to a shortage of midwives, resulting in registered nurses (RNs) being required to fill this gap. There is little documented about the impact this has on RNs.

Aims: The aim of the research was to gain a better understanding what it is like for RNs delivering maternity care in rural and remote contexts.

Methodology: Phenomenological research was conducted through eight semi-structured interviews with an average length of 30 minutes. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed.

Results: From the data, three key themes emerged. First, "Being in the World of the Rural and Remote Nurse." Participants described their perception of rural and remote nursing as an entity with unchangeable aspects that cannot be understood in isolation. The second theme, "Scope of Practice – Unprepared or Underprepared," revealed that despite their extensive nursing skills, participants felt theoretically, practically, and mentally ill-equipped to provide care for pregnant women. The third theme, "Moral Distress," highlighted the participants' feelings of inadequacy, fear, and resignation. Due to the lack of maternity services in rural and remote areas, it is inevitable that RNs will have to care for pregnant women. Participants in this study unanimously articulated what it meant for them to be nurses providing maternity care in a rural and remote setting, both for themselves and for pregnant women.

Conclusion: This research provides a voice for RNs working in rural and remote environments who provide care to pregnant women. Advocating for improved maternity resources in these contexts will help improve maternity care for women and provide essential support to RNs.

Item ID:	86988
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Date Deposited:	27 Aug 2025 00:19
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4205 Nursing > 420501 Acute care @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2005 Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) > 200508 Rural and remote area health @ 50% 20 HEALTH > 2005 Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) > 200509 Women's and maternal health @ 50%
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