title: Continuous professional development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lifelong learning is a requirement for all nurses. Structured continuing education programs are just one method of acquiring knowledge. Non-structured, self-directed methods of development often are overlooked in this process.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article presents suggestions for self-assessment and non-structured methods of professional development for professional developers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By following the suggestions presented in this article, professional developers can assess their true learning needs and identify useful methods to develop themselves professionally.
authors.affiliation: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: DiMauro
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002322:Career Mobility; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D012647:Self-Assessment