Elevating rural care: IU Health East Region nurses earn national certification

Providing care in a rural setting requires versatility, resourcefulness, and a deep commitment to the community. In the East Region, nurses don’t just adapt to these challenges, they embrace them. Now, IU Health Jay nurses have taken that commitment even further by earning the National Rural Health Nurse Certification (RHNC) from the National Rural Health Association (NRHA)—becoming the first nurses in the IU Health system to achieve this distinction.

The Rural Health Nurse Certification is the first of its kind, designed specifically to recognize the unique skillset required to provide high-quality care in geographically isolated areas. Rural nurses care for a broad range of patients, from infants to the elderly, often with limited resources, making adaptability and clinical expertise essential. The certification equips nurses with specialized training in rural health disparities, emergency preparedness, community-based care, and population health management.

Carey Brunswick, Angie Schlechty, and Natalie Sudhoff each pursued the certification to enhance their ability to provide exceptional care in rural Indiana. The program connects nurses with peers across the country, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to navigate the unique challenges of rural healthcare.“

"The National Rural Health Certification gave me a chance to network with nurses in rural communities around the U.S.,” says Sudhoff, BSN, RN, MedSurg-BC, RHNC. “We were able to discuss the challenges of working in rural areas and share ideas of how to increase quality of care, despite those challenges.”

For Carey Brunswick, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, TTS, RHNC, earning this certification builds on her commitment to behavioral health at IU Health Jay’s Outpatient Behavioral Health office.

"I love our patients,” she says. “I am privileged that they allow me to help them in some of their most difficult times. To walk with them through their struggles and see them achieve their goals is absolutely the best.”

Angie Schlechty, BSN, RN, RHNC, an emergency department nurse, understands firsthand the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of rural healthcare.

"Some of the most challenging aspects of being a nurse is keeping up with the constant flow of patients through the emergency room,” she says. But despite the demands, she remains passionate about her work. “I love my job and enjoy taking care of my patients."

Rural nurses serve as a lifeline in their communities, providing care for patients of all ages and varying levels of acuity. Whether they are managing chronic conditions, treating acute illnesses, or handling critical care scenarios with limited resources, they must be prepared for anything. This certification helps ensure that rural nurses are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and professional network necessary to enhance patient outcomes in areas where healthcare access can be a challenge.

Sudhoff emphasizes that while rural nursing presents its own set of challenges, one thing remains constant: “Every day as a nurse is different—different patient personalities, different diagnoses, different medications. What isn’t different is the compassion we provide. I try to treat each of my patients like family and remind them that my job is to care for them.”