Exploring the efficacy of continuing education mandates.

Abstract

This study explored the link between mandatory continuing education (CE) for relicensure and the development of professional competence. Boards of nursing protect the public by establishing requirements for safe entry-level practice and assessing ongoing nursing competence. Some boards have mandated accumulation of CE hours as a means of assuring continued competence. The use of CE for this purpose has been controversial because no link had been established between CE and nurse competencies. A survey was sent to 4000 randomly selected nursing subjects: 2000 licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) and 2000 registered nurses (RNs). Nurses perceived that work experience, their basic professional education, and mentors and preceptors were stronger contributors to their professional development than CE. Nurses mandated to collect CE hours did not experience more growth in their professional abilities nor did they accumulate more total hours of CE than those without such a mandate. Those with mandates did, however, attend more hours of CE that were unrelated to their work or interest, and were more likely to attend CE by correspondence. Nurses attend CE classes whether they are mandated to do so or not.