In rural communities, severe staffing shortages have increased hospital wait times and worsened quality of care. According to the latest report by the West Virginia Hospital Association, nursing had the highest overall rates of vacancies and turnovers, at more than 19% and 26% respectively. Rebecca Love, a nurse and chief clinical officer at IntelyCare, a nurse staffing company, said in rural regions, hospitals often become the stopgap solution for both residents health and communities economic well-being. .