Continuing Nursing Education at Penn Nursing's Center for Professional Development believes that learning is a life-long process and an integral part of professional development. While graduate and undergraduate education lead to formal academic degrees, continuing professional education consists of those learning activities intended to build upon the educational and experiential basis of nurses.

As a research institution, Penn Nursing places a high priority on the generation of new knowledge and insights in the sciences and arts. Consistent with the University goals of linking both theoretical and applied knowledge, the Center for Professional Development enhances practice, education, administration, research, and theory development.