Among 105 course offerings and panel discussions at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Annual Convention, the subject of a nursing shortage was missing.

Instead, the 3,000-plus health professionals who gathered recently in Los Angeles shared five days of intensive professional presentations toward garnering CNE credits. The reality of topics practical to their daily nursing specializations took precedence, topics such as prosecution for nursing errors, teaching with simulations, breast cancer during pregnancy, and even suggestions about what to do about women with genital piercings. Approximately 10 computer stations were set visibly on the convention floor so each nurse could log in to track CNE credits accumulated.

While those who manage or administrate within the nursing profession are confronted with the lack of nursing staff on a number of levels, these dedicated professionals were serious about their business of caring for women and newborns.

The AWHONN website is a resource with information on clinical and professional issues. It offers CNE learning venues for individuals and institutions through conventions, journals, government programs, monographs, guidelines and the web. Click on this link for more information http://www.awhonn.org/awhonn/content.do?name=02_PracticeResources/2G_ContinuingEducation.htm