Reflections on the changing learning needs of nurses: a challenge for nursing continuing educators

Assessing the needs of learners is an essential prerequisite to planning effective nursing continuing education activities. Recorded differences over a 5-year period of gathering such assessments at one university-based continuing education division have relevance for nursing continuing educators and nursing leaders. A shift to more personal psychological interests of nurses may be reflective of the stressors of a changing system of health care delivery during this same time period. Nursing continuing educators are challenged to assist nurses to adapt successfully to these changes in the health care system and in the profession of nursing.