Meeting the challenge of mandatory continuing education

A state's decision to institute mandatory continuing education has ramifications for individuals involved in staff development and inservice education. In collaboration with the University of Delaware College of Nursing along with the Medical Center of Delaware, the Delaware Nurses' Association in 1990 assessed the continuing education needs and interests of a convenience sample of 547 registered nurse Delaware Nurses' Association members. Analysis of the data revealed a variety of interests within practice, education, administration, and research. The most preferred method of acquiring continuing education was attendance at a live conference, with part-day morning programs favored by a majority of the sample. Consequently, staff development and inservice educators are challenged with meeting the needs of the organization and the individual employee in an era of diminishing resources.