The Search for Virtual Continuing Education: D9 Reports Sold Out Jurisprudence and Ethics Zoom

By Kimberly Curtin, DNP, RN

After the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, District 9 (D9) had to cancel an Apr. 2020 "Jurisprudence & Ethics for Nurses" continuing education session. Kimberly Curtin and her team of Board of Directors rallied and regrouped. They purchased a Zoom membership and changed their typical in-person meeting format to virtual. Under the direction of D9 President Curtin, D9 experienced a sold-out Zoom session on Oct. 3, 2020.

Using a no-cost software platform for non-profits, BetterUnite, Curtin and the D9 team began the process of revising the in-person event to virtual. Long-time member and frequent presenter, Nancy Yuill, known for her exceptional ability to showcase the Jurisprudence and Ethics mandatory CE as an appealing lecture, consented to speaking for two hours on subject matter that would apply toward the Jurisprudence and Ethics mandatory continuing education required by the Texas Board of Nursing.

The team drafted the online event registration, advertised the link and content on social media and emailed registration info to non-members and members. TNA members were issued a discount, and D9 elected and retired members were given an additional discount. Undergraduate nursing students were able to join without charge. Handouts were sent via email in advance, and registrants were sent Zoom Rules.

The event was so well received, Curtin said, “I received many emails, calls, and texts from nurses trying to register up to the time of the presentation!” The event went without any major hiccups (there were a few registration issues as this was their first Zoom session!). Afterward, the evaluation was sent out as a Survey Monkey link, and the certificate was designed to be generated after successful submission of the evaluation. Based on the demand and popularity of the topic, Yuill is offering two additional presentations, a recent one on Dec.5 and an upcoming one on Dec. 10.

Even though many of the evaluation comments suggested that an in-person meeting was preferred, the new normal for the near future will be a virtual platform, and Curtin and her team are ready!