Learning needs assessments: definitions, techniques, and self-perceived abilities of the hospital-based nurse educator.

The purpose of this article is to describe survey research on learning needs assessment, conducted to determine definitions, techniques, and confidence levels of the hospital-based educator. Confidence levels related to fulfillment of the needs assessment role and resources available to the nurse educator are described. In a survey of 223 hospitals, a 69% return rate showed that the hospital educator used "real need" (lack of understanding, skill, or ability) as their primary definition. Professional standards, records and reports, and technological and institutional changes were primary sources of program determination. The nurse educator was confident in traditional roles but less confident in developing competency-based evaluations and clinical simulations.