Consulting for quality continuing education

The consultant's role in continuing education (CE) is presented and discussed from a variety of perspectives. This article proposes that using a consultant will enhance the quality of continuing education and be cost effective at the same time. The steps to be taken to select a consultant include: determining the consultant's role, acquiring a content or process expert, and finalizing the contractual agreement. The American Nurses' Association (ANA) criteria for continuing education offerings are provided as a reference table. Emphasis throughout the article is on how to obtain quality service at a minimal cost.