A statewide assessment of preferences of registered nurses desiring academic credit-bearing continuing education.

As needs, mandates, and interests for continuing education (CE) in nursing increase, institutions of higher learning have growing opportunities and responsibilities to respond. Planning educational programs necessitates assessment of nurses' needs to deliver offerings responsive to topic, delivery method, and scheduling preferences. This nonrandomized statewide telephone survey of 535 registered nurses describes the preferences of the large subgroup (n = 359) of nurses who stated a desire for academic credit while participating in CE programs. Preferences were further examined in relation to the nurses' eligibility for undergraduate or master's level offerings. Results include a number of specific preferences with implications for educational institutions to increase their creativity and flexibility in developing credit CE offerings, and to become more responsive to the needs of nurses in practice. Findings suggest that partnerships between institutions of higher education and health care may better meet the continuing education needs of nurses.