Evidence based on line education for public health nurses

Education public health nurses at the graduate/specialist level, is an important aspect of strengthening the public health infrastructure. Current research demonstrates that graduate students are characterized by different learning styles and preferences, focusing on different types of information and processing this information in different ways. In theory, one of the desirable characteristics of a Web-based education system is that all the students can learn despite their different learning styles and preferences. However, some nurses have questioned the value of learning on line versus face to face. And in this era of striving to create a more diverse public health nursing workforce, the question is not only whether different learning styles can be addressed in web based learning, but also whether there are racial and ethnic differences in learning styles, and whether on line learning might discourage students from under represented minorities from pursuing graduate education in public health nursing. This paper presents an integrative literature review designed to address two questions: do learning styles and preferences differ by racial and ethnic background? And how can web based learning techniques address a variety of learning styles and preferences? Literature from nursing education, technology and general education was reviewed to address these questions. The results of this literature review can be used to develop evidence based on line learning courses and activities, of use to nursing educators and those looking for methods to provide continuing education to public health nurses.