title: "Finding my own time": examining the spatially produced experiences of rural RNs in the rural nursing certificate program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rural nurses require access to education that exposes them to the most up-to-date information and skill development. However, since most education opportunities are located in urban centers and focused on providing skills to urban nurses, geography effectively acts as a barrier to accessing education that meets the needs of rural nurses. The Rural Nursing Certificate Program is a post-basic education program that addresses these concerns by providing rural-relevant content online, with limited campus sessions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Does online delivery of rural nursing curriculum overcome challenges related to geography?
  
  
  METHODS
  This study employed surveys with some open-ended questions. Analysis included descriptive statistics and content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students reported that online delivery improved access. Benefits included not having to relocate; being able to continue working; and, flexibility. Challenges included travel for practical experiences and time management related to staffing shortages, personal-professional overlap and family responsibilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Online learning improved access to nursing education. However, the realities of rural nursing made it impossible to completely overcome geography: sense of obligation to work overtime, cost and time of traveling to workshops and practicums, uneven access to the Internet and computer services, and distance from peer and university support remained challenges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. jplace@sfu.ca
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Place
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacLeod
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adamack
authors.forename: A Elizabeth
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lindsey
mesh_terms: D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012423:Rural Health / Q000193:education*; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education*; D017748:Time Management