The CRHN Hosts the 2025 International Rural Nurse Organization Conference

Tuesday, Jun 17, 2025 • Midori Hrinda : CONHI Connect

The UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation’s (CONHI) Center for Rural Health and Nursing (CRHN) hosted the 2025 semi-annual International Rural Nurse Organization (RNO) Conference, May 27-30, in Arlington, Texas. Rural health professionals from across the globe gathered for a week of enriching rural healthcare engagement.

The RNO is an organization formed to recognize, promote, and maintain the unique specialty of rural nursing practice. This year’s conference theme, “Advancing Rural Nursing: Innovations and Strategies for a Healthier Tomorrow,” explored past, current, and future challenges and strategies to strengthen the delivery of health services and improve health in rural areas. Speakers included a variety of researchers, RNs, APRNs, faculty and staff members from various health and educational organizations worldwide, hospital leaders, and others.

“The RNO Conference fostered collaboration by bringing together rural nursing professionals from across the globe in a shared space focused entirely on rural health,” says Aspen Drude, manager for the Center for Rural Health and Nursing. “Through keynote presentations, research sessions, and informal networking opportunities, attendees were able to connect around common challenges and share region-specific insights.”

Hosting an international nursing conference is a significant milestone for CONHI and the CRHN. While positioning the Center as a global leader in rural health dialogue and innovation, the conference also showcased its commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities. Hosting the conference in Texas gave a voice to show how rural health challenges are not isolated but shared across borders. Through shared knowledge, collaboration, and partnerships, real change can happen.

“This event highlighted the impactful work being done by our faculty, students, and community partners while creating new opportunities for international research partnerships, educational initiatives, and long-term rural health strategies,” says Drude. “Hosting this event reinforced our role as a hub for rural health leadership—not just in Texas, but on the global stage.”

“We hope attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and recognition that their work in rural nursing matters deeply— locally and globally,” says Drude. “We also wanted to showcase the innovation and dedication happening at our center and within our communities, reinforcing that rural areas are not behind—they are vital, resilient, and full of potential. Most of all, we hope attendees left feeling seen, supported, and inspired to continue their work as leaders in rural health.”