title: Describing the value of specialized distance education in pediatric oncology nursing.
abstract: Working as specialists in a changing environment, advanced practice nurses in pediatric oncology (APN-POs) benefit from specific pediatric oncology education. The graduates of a pediatric nurse practitioner program in pediatric oncology completed a survey about their educational experience and its impact on their current practice. This practitioner program included a subspecialty education in pediatric oncology and an early form of distance learning. The respondents' answers parallel a number of emerging themes in APN-PO practice and education. Employing distance learning methods in providing subspecialty education holds important implications for future APN-PO education and practice and for the health care of communities throughout the country.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuro Oncology, St. Jude Children's Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale St. Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hobbie
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carlino
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deatrick
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fergusson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lipman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020375:Education, Distance; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D015143:Philadelphia; D015397:Program Evaluation