The impact of the national information infrastructure on distance education and the changing role of the nurse.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe a new opportunity for learning--distance education--that is available to oncology nurses and the role of the nurse educator in the distance-learning environment.

DATA SOURCES

Literature and electronic information.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Distance learning is a new option for oncology nurses that is based on the assumption that the student is motivated to grasp new ideas and will pursue studies with autonomy and honesty. This article reviews the principals of distance learning, its advantages, and the role of the nurse educator in this new learning environment.

CONCLUSIONS

Electronic networks are providing oncology nurses with the opportunity to share information and collaborate with colleagues throughout the world. This same technology supports the opportunity for distance education. Oncology nurses have numerous opportunities to participate in distance learning, both as learners and as nurse educators, and the advantages of this new learning environment are numerous.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Opportunities now exist for formal education (both undergraduate and graduate) and continuing education for oncology nurses via distance learning. Oncology nurses need to treat technology as a friend and use distance learning to cultivate life-long learning.