PARTNERS IN DISTANCE LEARNING - PROJECT OUTREACH

Distance learning refers to any educational experience in which the in structor (teacher) is separated from the student (learner) by geograph ic distance. Partnerships are being established between institutions o f higher education and healthcare organizations to achieve a mutual go al, that of educating employees to work in a rapidly changing workplac e environment. The authors describe one such partnership and the commo n issues confronted by both the academic and service institutions in i mplementing an outreach education program. The authors propose that th ese partnerships can be effective in implementing distance learning pr ograms that meet the ongoing educational needs of nurses living and wo rking in rural and underserved environments.