How to Attract Nurse Practitioners to Rural Communities in 2025
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are helping to close care gaps across the country, particularly in rural areas where physician shortages are most severe. As of 2025, there are more than 385,000 licensed NPs in the U.S., according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Attracting these providers to underserved areas means offering the right mix of autonomy, support, and incentives.
Where NPs Thrive in Rural Practice Settings
1. Primary Care & Family Medicine
NPs are often the sole providers in rural family medicine clinics. Offering full practice authority and strong support teams helps attract NPs who want to make a broad impact in the community.
2. Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinics
Nurse practitioners trained in emergency or acute care excel in fast-paced walk-in settings. Rural clinics that operate extended hours or weekends can benefit from hiring NPs who value flexibility and independence.
3. Women’s Health and OB-GYN
Nearly half of U.S. counties lack access to an OB-GYN, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Women’s health NPs help fill this care gap by offering prenatal care, family planning, and gynecologic services.
4. Behavioral & Mental Health
Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are in high demand in rural areas with limited mental health infrastructure. Clinics that support hybrid or telepsychiatry roles are especially attractive to these providers.
5. Geriatric & Home-Based Care
With rural populations aging rapidly, NPs trained in geriatrics or chronic disease management are critical to keeping patients out of hospitals and managing care at home.
What’s New in 2025: Incentives Are Expanding
In 2025, the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program is offering expanded loan forgiveness for NPs working in federally designated health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). Several states—including Kansas, Missouri, and West Virginia—have also introduced rural incentives like relocation bonuses, housing stipends, and fast-tracked licensing to attract NPs to small towns and frontier counties.
Top Tips to Recruit and Retain NPs in Rural Areas
Offer Relocation Support & Temporary Housing
Assisting with short-term accommodations, travel stipends, or on-site housing makes rural roles more appealing—especially for early-career providers.
Promote Autonomy in Practice
NPs want to work to the full extent of their training. Highlight full-practice authority and opportunities for leadership or program development.
Create Strong Onboarding and Mentorship Programs
Moving to a rural town can be isolating. Invest in community-building, peer mentorship, and onboarding to improve retention.
Provide Flexible Work Arrangements
Many NPs are seeking better work-life balance. Offering hybrid, part-time, or schedule-customized roles can help your facility stand out.
Let Momentum Help You Hire Your Next NP
At Momentum Healthcare Staffing, we specialize in helping rural hospitals and clinics connect with nurse practitioners ready to make a difference. Whether you need temporary or permanent placements, we have a nationwide network of skilled NPs open to rural work.
Conclusion
Nurse practitioners are reshaping how healthcare is delivered in rural America. By offering supportive, flexible, and mission-driven roles, your facility can stand out and bring in the talent needed to serve your community in 2025 and beyond.
Need help recruiting an NP? Contact us today or browse open roles.
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