The purpose of this research was to investigate how knowledge becomes meani
ngful in professional practice across four different professions. Eighty se
mistructured interviews were cone ducted with social workers, lawyers, adul
t educators, and nurses who had attended continuing education programs 9 to
24 months previously. Findings indicate that professionals make meaning by
moving back and forth between continuing professional education programs a
nd their professional practice. In addition, each profession studied framed
their meaning-making process through air understanding of the nature of th
eir professional work. Implications for research and practice in continuing
professional education are drawn.