The future of rural healthcare in Vermont begins with you

by Alex Buzan

Across Vermont, the landscape of healthcare is rapidly shifting. Projections show that nursing demand in rural areas could grow by 22% by 2030. Right now, the state faces over 3,900 open positions for nurses, many of them in smaller communities. These shortages lead to delays in screenings, missed follow-up care and growing gaps in chronic disease management. For residents living hours from the nearest hospital or specialty clinic, the absence of consistent care is an inconvenience—and a risk. Thus, when you step into a nursing role in these communities, you’re closing a health gap that might otherwise widen.

Understanding Provider Gaps in Rural Vermont

Many of Vermont’s most rural counties are officially recognized as medically underserved or experiencing health professional shortages. Although statewide data shows that rural residents in Vermont have statistically better access to primary care doctors than in some other states, these averages don’t tell the full story. Specialized services, mental health care, dental care and preventive follow-ups are still lacking in many small towns. Moreover, distance, limited public transportation and spotty internet access only add to the problem. When patients can’t reliably reach providers—or when providers can’t reach them—health outcomes suffer. Emerging from a credible nursing school in Vermont, your presence can bridge that divide in ways that data alone can’t capture.

When you work in a rural setting, you become something beyond being a clinical provider, as someone patients rely on for treatment alongside guidance, continuity and advocacy. Nurses in small communities are often the primary point of contact for preventive screenings, chronic illness education, vaccinations and behavioral health support. In places where physician shortages are severe, advanced practice nurses help maintain access for Medicaid and Medicare patients. Reimbursement models tied to rural health clinics make these roles financially viable for clinics, and life-changing for patients. You bring credibility and consistency, particularly when trust in the healthcare system feels fragile.

Innovation Meets Compassion: Telehealth and Remote Monitoring

As digital instruments modernize, rural nursing is being recast by technology. For example, telehealth has the potential to increase follow-through and continuity of care, particularly for homebound patients or those living in extreme weather regions. Remote patient monitoring can make chronic disease management more proactive, particularly for conditions like diabetes or hypertension. However, barriers remain; some households lack equipment, others face connectivity issues or digital literacy gaps. As a nurse trained in both in-person and remote modalities, you can help patients adopt these tools meaningfully. Ergo, you play a unique part in blending technology with the personal attention that rural care still demands.

However, your path into rural nursing doesn’t have to wait until graduation or licensure. Many local programs in Vermont offer earn-and-learn opportunities, allowing students to gain experience in community settings while completing their education. Meanwhile, training in small clinics or critical access hospitals gives you hands-on exposure to the realities of rural care and helps you build relationships with patients and colleagues. Today, research shows that students who complete clinical rotations in rural areas are significantly more likely to practice there long-term. If you want to make a difference quickly, choosing to train and work in underserved areas gives your skills immediate impact.

Building on Your Strengths

Choosing rural nursing lets you apply your skills in settings where every hour matters. You’ll manage acute injuries, chronic illnesses and mental health crises—sometimes in the same day. In smaller facilities, your versatility is a strength, not a burden. You may be asked to shift between care settings, assist with community vaccination drives or provide home visits when transportation barriers arise. You’ll become a familiar face to patients who value long-term relationships. Moreover, you’ll have the chance to influence care delivery models that reflect the reality of rural living, where distance and access don’t always align with urban assumptions.

Vermont’s health policy is increasingly focused on addressing the needs of rural populations. Recent workforce reports have highlighted the need for increased nursing capacity, particularly in underserved counties. Moreover, although government support for broadband expansion and telehealth integration is growing, infrastructure still lags in many areas. Newer value-based payment models now incentivize preventive care in rural health settings, making it more sustainable for clinics to expand services. Nurses who work in these settings are helping define how rural care is measured and funded: your insight and advocacy matter—no matter if you’re staffing a clinic or shaping policy through data and practice.

Reimagining Community-Based Care

Picture a healthcare network where rural families receive consistent follow-ups, chronic care is locally managed and preventive visits aren’t skipped due to distance. Imagine being part of the team that makes this possible. You might teach patients how to use digital blood pressure cuffs, support them through virtual mental health sessions or follow up on early signs of illness long before they require hospitalization. Every interaction you have—every call, every visit, every exam—builds a healthier, more resilient community. That’s the role rural nurses increasingly play. And it’s a position that’s only becoming more critical.

Rural Vermont is at a crossroads: population shifts, provider retirements and widening care deserts demand attention. The good news is that solutions exist—and they start with people like you. When you decide to train, work or specialize in rural care, you’re stepping into a field where your efforts have visible impact. Every child you vaccinate, every elderly patient you support, every family you educate becomes part of a larger transformation. You’re not waiting for someone else to fix the problem, because you are the solution. Ultimately, the future of rural healthcare in Vermont begins with your decision to act.