Purpose: The 2006 AANP NP Educational Needs Survey provides an opportunity to compare and contrast the continued learning needs of NPs based on years of experience, practice setting, and clinical specialty. 

Methodology: In 2006, 6,000 NPs were invited to participate in an anonymous online educational needs survey. Participants selected topics in which they had the highest interest, from a list of 240 topics that included approximately 120 specific health conditions, as well as a many clinical procedures, practice issues, professional and business topics, and therapeutics. Information was collected on specialty, practice setting, and years of experience. Half of those surveyed were selected from recent AANP conference attendees and the other half were randomly selected from AANP non-attendee members. 

 Findings: Surveys were completed by 1412 NPs over two weeks.  Descriptive analyses were performed.  As an example of the findings, anemia was the condition most frequently (76%) by novice NPs with <2 years experience.  Other topics highly rated by this group included EKG analysis and suturing (procedures), billing and reimbursement (practice and professional), antibiotic resistance and new drugs (therapeutics), and difficult patients and health promotion (practice issues). 

Discussion/Implications: As adult learners, NPs are likely to select topics with the most relevance to their practices.  It is important to address educational needs of  NPs with varying experience levels/practice patterns. Confronted with the realities of practice, self-identified learning needs of  NPs may provide indications of gaps in NP program, cutting-edge clinical developments, and other  contemporary practice situations.