Community college nursing students' perceptions about computer-based instruction (CBI) were identified and examined from the standpoint of their implications for adult continuing education and program planning. Fifteen second-year nursing students, college faculty, and the nursing director were interviewed. The following were among the key findings: (1) CBI is helpful in learning and applying theory because it helps reinforce class content, provides new information and perspectives, is interactive and multisensory, and accommodates different learning styles; (2) CBI is not helpful in developing nursing skills because it lacks hands-on activities; and (3) problems associated with CBI include too many assignments, equipment malfunctions, problems related to access to the computer lab, and excessive noise and overcrowding in the computer lab. The findings indicated that CBI should be applied to appropriate content areas, make reasonable demands on students, and occur in an environment with minimal distractions. (Thirteen tables/figures are included. The bibliography contains 83 references. The following are among the items are appended: demographic information about the student nurses; the student informed consent form; the study interview guides and nursing faculty focus group questionnaire; the faculty questionnaire results; guidelines for direct observation in nursing laboratories; and codes supporting three major metapolicies.) (MN)