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PubMed · 12546129

Certificate programs in continuing professional education.

Ruth Falk Craven·Martha Bassett DuHamel
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Career-long learning is a concept at the heart of professional disciplines such as nursing. Nursing shortages, especially in some areas of practice, have stimulated the need for in-depth education and training in specific knowledge content areas. One approach to career-long learning is certificate programs. METHOD: Factors, trends, and strategies to consider in creating certificate programs are reviewed, and guidelines for developing certificate programs are presented. FINDINGS: Certificate programs are increasingly in demand by both employers and nurses. Certificate programs provide individuals with a chance to refresh their study skills and raise their abilities and levels of confidence for mastering new learning. Certificate programs also serve as a recruitment and retention strategy for hospitals and agencies. CONCLUSION: Certificate programs are a viable continuing professional education activity and offer opportunities for nurses to develop specific skill sets and in-depth knowledge in specialized areas of nursing practice.

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CertificationCost ControlCurriculumEducation, Nursing, ContinuingGuidelines as TopicHumansNeeds AssessmentProfessional CompetenceProgram DevelopmentJournal Article

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Ruth Falk Craven, Martha Bassett DuHamel. Certificate programs in continuing professional education.. https://doi.org/10.3928/0022-0124-20030101-04

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