Once a professional practice gap is identified, the course Directors can begin to select individuals to assist with planning the educational activity by forming a Planning Committee and includes a Nurse Planner to participate as a member of an interprofessional planning team. The Planning Committee must include at least two people, and two disciplines, when the activity is interprofessional: the Nurse Planner, a content expert and representation of other disciplines. The Nurse Planner may function as both the Nurse Planner and the content expert; however, two people must be involved with planning each educational activity. Other individuals may be selected, as appropriate, to help plan the activity. The Nurse Planner ensures that the educational activity is developed in compliance with accreditation criteria.

Planning continues with further analysis of the professional practice gap. The Nurse Planner and Planning Committee evaluate the root causes of the gap, or why the gap exists. If the gap is related to a lack of knowledge, skills, and/or practices of registered nurses, an educational intervention is appropriate. The gap may exist for other reasons, however, an alternative, noneducational strategies may need to be considered. This series addresses potential practice gaps within the inpatient rehabilitation unit in Orlando by reviewing the current literature that may inform practice.