Canadian Association for Rural and Remote Nursing (CARRN) shares insights on the urgent healthcare needs Canada’s rural and remote communities.
From your perspective, what are the most pressing healthcare challenges currently facing rural and remote communities in Canada?
Rural and remote communities in Canada are grappling with overlapping and persistent healthcare challenges. Emergency department closures and a severe shortage of healthcare workers have left many communities without timely access to essential care. Wraparound supports such as housing, transportation, mental health services, and education remain significantly underserved, contributing to poorer health outcomes. For clinicians, burnout is exacerbated by isolation, high workloads, and a lack of organizational support—including limited access to mental health services or protected time off. Geographic barriers, harsh weather conditions, and technological limitations further hinder care delivery and continuity, particularly for patients who must travel long distances for specialized services.
How is healthcare delivery being supported in rural and remote communities across Canada? Are there any programs or initiatives you’d like to highlight?
Across Canada, efforts to support rural and remote healthcare include regional retention strategies, community-led programs, and partnerships that bring education and training closer to home. “Earn while you learn” models allow nurses to stay rooted in their communities while advancing their education. Virtual care has improved access in some regions, though technological limitations persist.
CARRN is championing this momentum by advancing the Rural and Remote Nursing Framework (2020)—an evidence-based model that centers the realities of rural practice. The Framework highlights the complexity, autonomy, and community integration required of rural nurses, and promotes culturally safe, holistic care that addresses the social determinants of health.
For nurses, it validates their expertise and fosters a shared language to advocate for better conditions. For communities, it supports more stable, responsive care. Through national collaboration, research, and leadership, CARRN is amplifying rural voices and helping shape systems that reflect rural realities.
Looking ahead, what are the most important next steps to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes in rural and remote communities?
Improving healthcare delivery and outcomes in rural and remote communities requires long-term, community-based strategies. Key steps include expanding access to safe and affordable housing, creating protected time-off structures to reduce burnout, and increasing educational pathways for students and internationally trained professionals who want to practice in rural settings. Rural and remote perspectives must be embedded in health policy, regulation, and planning at every level.
Infrastructure investments—particularly in virtual care technology—are also critical to improving access and continuity of care. Just as importantly, health systems must reflect the lived realities of rural communities, prioritizing culturally safe, equitable, and sustainable approaches.
CARRN is helping lead this change by using its national platform to connect rural and remote nurses across Canada, amplify their experiences, and advocate for policy grounded in place-based knowledge. Through storytelling, research, and collaboration, rural nurses are shaping a more inclusive and community-rooted healthcare future.
Learn more at carrn.com.
