The transition to Web-based education: enhancing access to graduate education for women's health providers

Abstract

Nurse-midwives and women's health nurse practitioners have a long history as positive change agents in health care as well as education. This article chronicles the transition of a traditional face-to-face nurse-midwife and women's health nurse practitioner graduate curriculum to a Web-based format with campus seminars and clinical laboratories. This change was made to increase access to these graduate programs. A total of 20 courses, including both graduate core and specialty courses, was converted to the Web-based format over a 3-year period. Practical considerations for implementing a similar program, including faculty development and support, student orientation and ongoing support, development of a learning community, and time management, are discussed. The importance of listening to student feedback and partnering with them as the program continues to develop is emphasized as a key element of program evaluation and improvement.