The serious shortage of qualified nurses and nursing faculty has led many nursing programs to adopt and increase the use of distance educational technology. Distance learning courses allow institutions to increase enrollment, thereby potentially increasing the number of future nurses. However, technology will not automatically help to counter the current nursing and nursing faculty shortages. It must be used effectively. As the use of technology increases, nursing programs must continually evaluate the educational experiences of both students and faculty and seek ways to improve delivery of instruction. Bandura's (1986) Social Cognitive Theory may help in these endeavors. This book will apply Social Cognitive Theory to understanding nursing students' perceptions of learning in one specific distance learning context as these perceptions were influenced by the learning environment, the instructors, the facilitators, and support personnel. In doing so, this book will explore ways to potentially increase the quality and effectiveness of the nursing students' learning environment.