Present Status and Future Directions of University-Based Continuing Education in Nursing.

Overview & Synopsis

Those in continuing education for professional nurses believe that higher education needs to be involved in programs such as continuing education. Not until 1955 and the onset of state and federal programs designed to assist universities with higher education provisions was the impact on continuing education for nurses felt. Between 1957 and 1962 the establishment of nursing education and continuing education components as integral parts of interstate higher education commissions constituted a major breakthrough. Continuing education for nursing has snowballed due to such things as recognition of advances in medical science and related fields. But moves for relicensure requirements have been slow; presently only eight states have mandatory laws. The recommended requirement for licensed R.N.'s is thirty contact hours every two years. Since the 1975 American Nurses Association accreditation process began, twelve university nursing schools now offer accredited continuing education programs. There are many barriers to university-based continuing education programs in nursing; for example, administration views continuing education as a money maker, yet continuing education is expected to be self-supporting. Many barriers can be overcome if program support is viewed similarly to support for academic programs. Continuing education programs which support the advancing nursing profession must be developed. (CSS)