Satisfaction with practice in a rural state: perceptions of nurse practitioners and nurse midwives.

Data from nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives are used to explore contributions to primary care in a rural state and how regulatory restrictiveness and other factors affect satisfaction with practice (N = 151). Satisfaction is high, especially with home communities and professional aspects of work, including collaboration with physicians. However, many feel limited by regulations and are less satisfied, especially those with a master's degree and those in organizational versus office practice sites. Reducing restrictive regulations, reevaluating practice structures, and providing for full scope of practice and other incentives consistent with rising educational levels can increase access to care.