Position Statement

36A March/April 2001

PHCNEWS

CONTINUING EDUCATIONThe National Association of Pediatric

Nurse Associates and Practitioners(NAPNAP) believes that continuingeducation (CE) provides a mechanismfor nurse practitioners (NPs) to acquireand enhance the knowledge and skillsnecessary to ensure optimal patientcare and professional development.

NAPNAP believes that it has aresponsibility to develop methods forPNPs to obtain quality CE opportuni-ties. This belief is demonstrated byNAPNAP’s support and expansion ofCE opportunities available to its mem-bers, the administration of a CE ap-proval program, and recognition ofquality CE programs of other profes-sional organizations. NAPNAP sup-ports the voluntary approval of CEproviders who wish to offer NAPNAPcontact hours.

NAPNAP believes that:1. CE programs for PNPs should be

relevant to PNP practice by focusing

on ways to enhance clinical skillsand knowledge, providing educa-tion about future changes in thePNP role, and teaching manage-ment strategies for the changinghealth care delivery system (Brooks,Fletcher, & Wahlstedt, 1998). In addi-tion, CE programs should incorpo-rate current research findings.

2. Teaching strategies used in CE pro-grams should utilize principles ofadult education, which include needsassessment, instructional methodsdesigned for diverse learning styles,active learner involvement, and op-portunity for learners to process whatthey have learned and to receive feed-back.

3. CE programs should include an op-portunity for evaluation and/or self-evaluation of knowledge attained.

4. Approved CE providers should havea systematic means for programdevelopment, delivery, and mainte-nance of records.

5. All industry-sponsored CE activi-ties should be designed to ensurebalance, independence, and objec-tivity.

NAPNAP believes the NAPNAP CEapproval program promotes high-qual-ity education for PNPs, while convey-ing a high standard of learning activi-ties for PNPs. NAPNAP encourages theuse of the NAPNAP contact hour as anindicator of programs that promoteprofessional growth for the PNP.

REFERENCE

Brooks, E. L., Fletcher, K., & Wahlstedt, P. A. (1998).Focus group interviews: Assessment of contin-uing education needs for the advanced prac-tice nurse. Journal of Continuing Education inNursing, 29, 27-31.

Approved by the Executive Board:March 1992Revised: November 2000Designation–Regular (5-year review)

Bumps and bruises

How many times have you needed ice to treat a child who has fallen andbruised her knee, only to discover that the icemaker is behind in production,you have no self-sealing (Ziploc) bags, or someone has forgotten to refill theice tray? A package of frozen peas (or another vegetable of your choice)makes a great ice pack, especially for such hard-to-ice spaces as the elbows,knees, and forehead. The package will conform to the injured body part toadequately ice the wound and minimize inflammation. Furthermore, afterthe package has been used, it can be placed back into the freezer and reusedto treat the next bruise.

Michele Janus, BS, RNPNP Student at Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio

PediatricPearl