A Guide to Professional Practice Gap Analysis

Effective educational planning begins with understanding the problem we are trying to address. Before developing an educational activity, it is important to identify what is happening in current practice, what should be happening, and why a difference exists. A professional practice gap is the difference between the current and desired states of practice. Identifying and validating this gap helps ensure that educational activities address meaningful practice needs rather than simply provide information on a topic.

In this course, you will explore how to conduct a professional practice gap analysis by identifying current and desired states, gathering evidence to validate the gap, and examining contributing factors. You will learn how to distinguish a practice gap from an underlying educational need and determine whether education is an appropriate intervention. You will also review how competencies, measurable learning outcomes, assessment methods, and active learning strategies should align with the identified educational need to support meaningful learning and improvements in professional practice.

By the end of this course, you will have the foundational knowledge and tools to identify, validate, and document a professional practice gap to guide effective educational planning.

This course is only open to UC Davis Health employees.

Continuing Education Contact Hours

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP 26, for 1.0 contact hours.

UC Davis Health - Center for Professional Practice of Nursing is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Online Module

A Guide to Professional Practice Gap Analysis
Code: DAHS-NGNGPPGA26-ANCC
Estimated Duration: 1 hour
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Coordinator

Ashley Vieira, D.N.P., R.N., N.P.D.A.-B.C., C.C.R.N.
Professional Development Specialist

Classes