Assessment of continuing nursing education needs: a literature review.

Continuing education literature is replete with disagreement and confusion regarding the value and methods of conducting needs assessments for nurses. Literature that describes the usefulness of needs assessment ranges from fuzzy rhetoric to sound empirical studies of learners' needs. Sorting through the numerous articles is a difficult and tedious task for the continuing education planner. In addition, the lack of consistency in the writings makes comparison of needs assessment findings onerous. This article presents a synthesis and critical analysis of the needs assessment literature in nursing. One hundred and thirty-two articles and books were reviewed, and four major themes emerged from the analysis.