Healthy outcomes for all rural populations are worse than for urban per the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACHHRS) in 2008. This is just one of many statistics illustrating rural health disparities. The clinical problem focus of this doctoral project is on the higher provider turnover found in rural areas and will focus on provider retention as a solution. Difficulties with provider recruitment and retention have an impact on rural health care, and more so than urban. Rural providers often deal with unique challenges that impact their practice and lifestyle decisions. The project’s purpose is to identify what has affected provider turnover over the last 15 years in comparison to urban practitioners and to identify how the current rates of retention could be improved.