Tag: guaranteed healthcare placements

Why Rural Hospitals Are Struggling to Recruit Physicians — And How to Solve It in 2025

Posted on June 5, 2025 by admin admin

Rural hospitals are the backbone of healthcare in many parts of the U.S. — yet in 2025, staffing challenges continue to deepen. Physician recruitment in rural areas is reaching a crisis point. If your hospital or clinic is struggling to hire physicians or advanced practice providers (APPs), you’re not alone — but there are proven strategies that can help.

The State of Rural Healthcare Staffing in 2025

Rural healthcare shortages are well documented. Since 2010, more than 136 rural hospitals have closed across the U.S. Many others are operating under severe financial stress.
Source: UNC Rural Hospital Closures

In a recent national survey, 69% of rural hospital CEOs identified physician recruitment as their top challenge. Burnout, retirements, and fewer young physicians choosing rural practice are driving this widening gap.
Source: Navigant Rural Hospital CEO Survey

Where Physician Shortages Are Hitting Hardest

Physician shortages are impacting rural areas nationwide, but certain regions face especially critical gaps:

• Southeast: States like Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia are struggling to recruit primary care physicians and specialists for rural counties. Many counties in these states are designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for primary care.
• Midwest: Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri report increasing shortages in family medicine and internal medicine, especially as older physicians retire.
• Upper Midwest / Plains: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana face severe gaps in OB/GYN, general surgery, and emergency medicine coverage.
• Southwest: New Mexico and West Texas rural hospitals are competing for a small pool of bilingual and culturally competent providers to serve rural and Native American populations.
• Appalachia: Regions of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee face unique barriers in recruiting due to geographic isolation and persistent poverty.

In many of these areas, the gap extends beyond physicians to include nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — key parts of the modern rural care model.

New Opportunities and Incentives

Fortunately, new programs are emerging to help address these shortages.

The Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act, passed by the U.S. Senate in 2024, provides:

• Expanded loan forgiveness for rural-serving providers
• New training programs focused on rural practice
• Increased funding for rural residency programs

Additionally, many states are offering incentives such as:

• Tax credits for rural healthcare workers
• Loan repayment programs
• Support for telehealth infrastructure to supplement on-site care

Solutions for Rural Hiring in 2025

What can rural hospitals do today to stay competitive in this challenging hiring environment?

1. Leverage Guaranteed Placement Programs
   Working with a staffing partner that offers guaranteed placements and 90-day replacement policies reduces risk and ensures continuity of care.
2. Expand the Provider Model
   Many successful rural facilities use team-based models that combine physicians with nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to extend care capacity.
3. Use Flexible Contracts
   Offering permanent, locum-to-permanent, or flexible arrangements can attract providers who are open to rural practice but value flexibility.
4. Partner with a Dedicated Rural Staffing Agency
   Momentum Healthcare Staffing specializes in helping rural hospitals and clinics recruit:

• Physicians (Primary Care + Specialty)
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
• Physician Assistants (PAs)
• Flexible contract options
• Guaranteed placements with a 90-day replacement policy
• Discounted rates on first 10 assignments

Final Thoughts

Rural healthcare leaders are facing historic staffing challenges — but there are solutions. Whether your facility is in the Southeast, Midwest, Plains, Southwest, or Appalachia, Momentum Healthcare Staffing can help you recruit qualified, committed providers to serve your community.

Let’s build your rural care team today.
Contact us: https://momentumhcs.com/contact/

 

2025 Guide: Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Workforce with Advanced Practice Providers

Posted on June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 by admin admin

Rural healthcare facilities across the U.S. are facing an urgent challenge in 2025: building a sustainable workforce of qualified clinicians. With physician shortages worsening, many rural hospitals and clinics are now turning to advanced practice providers (APPs) — including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — as a core part of their long-term staffing strategy.

In this guide, we’ll explore why APPs are increasingly vital to rural healthcare, key trends driving this shift, and proven solutions your facility can implement to attract and retain top talent.

 

The Growing Role of APPs in Rural Healthcare

Nationwide, NPs and PAs are stepping in to fill critical care gaps left by the shortage of primary care physicians. In fact, in some states, nurse practitioners now outnumber primary care physicians — and are helping millions of Americans access care that would otherwise be unavailable.

This trend is especially pronounced in rural communities, where geographic isolation and a lack of local training programs make it difficult to recruit physicians. APPs, supported by expanded scope of practice laws in many states, are helping rural hospitals maintain vital services such as primary care, urgent care, and chronic disease management.

 

Hybrid Models: Telehealth + APPs Expanding Rural Access

Telehealth is playing a critical role in enhancing the reach and effectiveness of rural APP teams. Many hospitals are adopting hybrid models, where on-site NPs/PAs deliver direct care while telehealth services provide specialist consultations and backup from off-site physicians.


This approach not only improves access but also supports retention by helping APPs manage complex cases with remote physician collaboration. For patients in isolated communities, it means more timely care, fewer unnecessary transfers, and greater continuity of treatment.

 

The Rural Physician Shortage: Why APPs Are Essential

The rural physician shortage is expected to worsen in coming years. Many rural areas already experience severe deficits: nearly 30% of rural U.S. counties lack a single obstetrician, and over 60 million Americans live in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).


Burnout, retirements, and fewer young physicians choosing rural practice all contribute to this shortage. Without a robust pipeline of APPs, many rural hospitals would be forced to cut services or close entirely.

 

Federal Support: The Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act

Recognizing this crisis, Congress is moving forward with bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening the rural healthcare workforce. The Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act, advancing in the Senate, would invest $26 billion to expand training, support community health centers, and fund primary care positions in underserved areas.


For rural hospitals and clinics, this type of federal investment — combined with smart local recruiting strategies — can help ensure the long-term sustainability of their APP teams.

 

How to Build a Sustainable Rural APP Workforce in 2025

If your facility is ready to strengthen its workforce with NPs and PAs, here are proven steps to take:

 

1. Partner with a Specialized Staffing Agency

Working with a firm experienced in rural APP recruitment can save time and ensure a better fit. Momentum Healthcare Staffing specializes in placing:
– Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
– Physician Assistants (PAs)
– Complementary physicians to support hybrid care models

Our services include guaranteed placements with a 90-day replacement policy, and discounted rates for initial hires — helping rural facilities build strong teams with minimal risk.

 

 2. Offer Flexible Contracts

Today’s APPs value flexibility. Offering permanent or locum-to-perm contracts can attract candidates who are open to rural practice but want options for career growth.

 

3. Support Community Integration

Retention is just as important as recruitment. Successful rural hospitals invest in helping APPs feel connected to the community:
– Relocation support
– Professional development opportunities
– Mentorship programs
– Involvement in local events and leadership roles

 

 4. Stay Informed on State Policy Changes

State laws governing scope of practice for NPs and PAs continue to evolve. Facilities that stay ahead of these changes can leverage new opportunities to expand services and improve care delivery.

 

Final Thoughts

In 2025 and beyond, advanced practice providers will be the cornerstone of sustainable rural healthcare. By adopting a thoughtful, proactive recruiting strategy — and leveraging the right partnerships — rural hospitals and clinics can build APP teams that deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

Momentum Healthcare Staffing is ready to help. We specialize in rural-friendly placements of NPs, PAs, and physicians — with guaranteed results and a deep understanding of the rural hiring landscape.

Let’s build your rural care team today: contact us.