Retention of continuing education participants

The Midwest Alliance in Nursing (MAIN) used a multidirectional approach to recruit long-term care nurses to a three-year, federally funded continuing education (CE) program in geriatric nursing. Program staff used a project logo, frequent mailings, bimonthly telephone calls, a series of diverse educational offerings, and scattered social meetings to strengthen participants' identification with the project's purpose and activities. Nevertheless, several nurse dyads failed to complete the program, citing excessive workload and lack of agency support as principal reasons for withdrawal. Program staff concluded that, without strong and continuing support from their employer, even highly motivated nurses will not maintain commitment to an extended-time CE program.