Recruitment and retention of rural hospital administrators: a multifaceted approach

A major challenge confronting healthcare delivery in the United States is the shortage of clinical professionals in rural areas. Although most of the research surrounding this problem has focused on physicians and nurses, other healthcare professionals have received much less attention. Although not a clinician or hands-on care provider, the hospital administrator is an integral component of rural healthcare delivery systems and is instrumental in the organization and delivery of services. This article examines some of the factors that impact the recruitment and retention process for rural hospital administrators. The authors suggest that recruitment and retention success can be best achieved by adopting a multifaceted approach that includes aspects of and considerations from 3 separate areas: personal, organizational, and community attributes. The authors provide recommendations and insights for rural hospital governing boards responsible for this process.