New choices for continuing education: a statewide survey of the practices and preferences of nurse practitioners.

Technological innovations in the past decade have made possible several promising new modes for delivering continuing education (CE). Offering a wide variety of educational approaches is necessary to satisfy the different learning needs and preferences of program participants. Continuing education planners need to assess the preferences and practices of Advanced Practitioners of Nursing (APNs) when choosing the modes they will offer for delivering CE programs. A survey was conducted with the entire population of licensed APNs in Nevada to assess practices, preferences, and barriers to use of various CE delivery modes. In-person conferences and live satellite conferences were the most frequently used methods. The top three preferences, in rank order, were in-person conference, print-based self-study, and interactive video conference. Live satellite conference was the least preferred method of earning CE credits. Computer-based modes of CE delivery, which include the Internet and CD-ROM, were among the least used. Findings from this study provide useful information for planners of CE programs for APNs. Data acquired in this study also address the dearth of information related to computer use by APNs for obtaining CE.