Preparing Clinicians for Rural Practice: RHPP program growth fueled by statewide support
The College of Nursing’s Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) continues to grow its statewide impact as demand for rural training opportunities hits record levels. Ninety-two students participated in fiscal year 2025 across various Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specialties, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Pediatrics, Nurse Midwifery, and Psychiatric Mental Health, showing remarkable growth, strong interest from across Arizona and beyond, and rising national recognition of the RHPP as a model for workforce development.
This momentum is backed by the Arizona Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP), which received renewed funding for fiscal year 2026, totaling $173,310. This annual grant directly supports efforts to prepare advanced practice nurses (APRN) to deliver high-quality care in rural and underserved communities. Funding enhances rural clinical rotation stipends, expands telehealth training for all DNP and APRN students, and preserves faculty and administrative resources vital for sustaining program growth. This investment shows statewide recognition of the college’s leadership in shaping Arizona’s healthcare future.
Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing, emphasized the significance of this support. “The RHPP strengthens Arizona’s healthcare system by preparing advanced practice nurses who are fully equipped to serve rural communities. The success of this program reflects the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to improving access to care.”
Since 2013, Christy Pacheco, DNP, FNP-BC, associate clinical professor and RHPP director, has driven this growth through more than ten years of statewide collaboration. She emphasized the program’s increasing influence: “The College of Nursing Rural Health Professions Program plays a critical role in developing an interprofessional healthcare workforce to serve in rural and medically underserved areas. Our APRNs have expertise in providing evidence-based primary care services with a focus on prevention and community and population health, improving both quality and access to care. Dramatic, sustained growth in the program aims to address workforce shortages and health disparities.”
Students benefit from a wide variety of hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for advanced practice roles in resource-limited settings. Clinical rotations across Arizona offer direct experience with rural primary care, continuity of care, and community partnerships. Strong support, including travel assistance, stipends, and access to clinical decision-making tools, is provided not only to RHPP Scholars but also to non-RHPP students, highlighting the college’s commitment to strengthening Arizona’s clinician pipeline.
In the classroom, students build a strong foundation in rural health concepts through courses and seminars covering cultural responsiveness, leadership, community assessment, and social determinants of health. Additional opportunities, such as independent studies, rural-focused research projects, and guidance on health professional shortage area employment and loan repayment programs, further encourage long-term careers in rural areas.
Skill-building remains a crucial part of the RHPP program. Training in Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), telehealth, and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification prepares students to provide essential services in rural communities. Students also work with clinic partners on quality improvement projects, with many preceptors continuing as consultants or committee members, fostering lasting improvements in rural healthcare.
Graduate outcomes continue to demonstrate the program's success. Twenty-six College of Nursing students completed the RHPP this year, with most planning to work in underserved communities and many accepting positions at the same clinics where they trained. Others will pursue primary care residency programs designed to prepare nurse practitioners for long-term rural practice.
In addition to receiving the annual RHPP award, Pacheco contributed to the statewide Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program application submitted by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. Although the RHT Program is a federal initiative managed by the state, the college helped shape the workforce, quality improvement, and research priorities in the proposal, strengthening its role as a key partner in expanding healthcare access across Arizona.
With strong support from the Arizona AHEC system, longstanding partnerships with rural and tribal communities, and an expanding group of dedicated students, the College of Nursing continues to extend its statewide influence. The RHPP remains a fundamental part of the college’s mission to prepare clinicians who enhance quality, broaden access, and strengthen healthcare systems in the communities that need it most.