Nursing on-line for continuing education credit.
BACKGROUND
The Internet was evaluated as a source of continuing education credit for RNs.


METHODS
Using the search engines Alta Vista, Excite, Magellan, and Infoseek, 600 World Wide Web sites were reviewed for on-line programs that would lead to the receipt of a continuing education (CE) certificate of completion for a varying number of CE hours.


RESULTS
Five sites provided CE programs online and one site used e-mail to deliver the program to personal computers. All sites offered certificates and were approved to offer continuing nursing education credit through a state board of nursing or through the agency sponsoring the Internet site. The CE hours were also approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate the Internet is a source of CE units (hours) for nurses that may be used to satisfy requirements of state boards of nursing. The sites are easily accessible and eliminate travel and great expenses. The Internet is a rich source of current health-related information not approved for CE units but pertinent to health care professionals.
Plank
R K
RK
Dominican College of San Rafael, School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, California, USA.
D002568:Certification; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D009862:Online Systems; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States