title: Distance learning for post-registered nursing: the facts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore nurses' perceptions and evaluate the potential of distance learning as a method of teaching for post-registered nurses working in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used open-ended questions in focus groups. Each group consisted of nine students each with an interest in post-registration learning. The interviews were taped and transcribed (n = 18).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The respondents saw distance learning as a necessary way of updating their knowledge, as long as the education provided was relevant to their practice. They also saw this method of learning as an opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning. There was a conflict of opinion, however, as some respondents felt the courses to be a flexible way to teach and learn, while others found the courses to be too focussed and not necessarily relevant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides an insight into distance learning and what some post-registered nurses perceive to be important factors associated with it as a method of teaching. It suggests that post-registered nurses working in the community will benefit from distance learning as a method of teaching.
authors.affiliation: Newbury District Hospital, Berkshire.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D020375:Education, Distance; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*