title: Impact of Accreditation Standards on the Quality of Continuing Nursing Education Activities as Perceived by the Learner.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continuing nursing education (CNE) activities are increasingly becoming a requirement for RNs to maintain licensure or certification and to remain competent in practice in the fast-changing health care environment. Regardless of the health care profession, continuing education should be a quality educational experience to positively influence practice and patient outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 15-item matrix based on the 2013 American Nurses Credentialing Center Primary Accreditation criteria was used to evaluate CNE activities. The matrix reflected the characteristics that a learner should be able to identify when participating in a Web-based CNE activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A measurable learner-perceived difference was observed in the quality of the educational experience between educational activities developed by organizations using accreditation criteria, compared with those that did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Learners can use accreditation criteria as one method to discriminate high-quality educational activities that are designed to positively influence practice and patient outcomes. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2017;48(4):157-164.
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Novakovich
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000592:standards*; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000592:standards*