An improved nitrile rubber formulation and process for making elastomeric nitrile rubber articles from the nitrile rubber formulation are disclosed. In particular, the nitrile rubber formulation can produce nitrile rubber based articles which exhibit force-strain characteristics that are comparable to those of natural rubber latex articles, while maintaining the tensile strength properties of nitrile rubber. The process includes adding a stretch modifier during the compounding of the nitrile rubber formulation. The invention also includes an elastomeric nitrile rubber product made by the process, such as examination glove, surgical glove, etc.