Hallmarks of Best Practice~
Academic-Service Partnerships
Judy A. Beal, DNSc, RN
Interim Dean—School of Health Sciences
Professor and Chair of Nursing
Simmons College
Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow
Qualified BSN Entry Applications Turned Away
(AACN 2010)
Academic-Practice Partnerships
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A call for partnerships between educational and
practice leaders and faculty and practitioners that
lead to broad based support of clinical education
has been given (Ridenour, 2009).
Broome (2009) broadens the message with first a
call for “disciplinary will” aimed at consensus
building with stakeholders addressing steps to
develop cost effective and high quality education
initiatives.
The Academic-Practice Gap keeps on
getting wider….
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RWJ Executive Nurse Fellowship Project
The Texas Project: Interviews with 72 Nurse
Executives, CNOs, directors, deans, faculty
IOM/RWJ Future of Nursing Education Forum
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Board Task Force Leadership
The Texas Project
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Needs Assessment
Pilot work
Open Ended interview guide
Interviews completed:
– 6 System level Nurse Executives
– 3 Deans
– 63 CNOs, nurse managers, educators at 8 practice sites
Qualitative data will inform the development of an
instrument for national distribution
Common Themes from the Executive
Level ~ Characteristics of Best Practice
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Mutual vision, goals, investment, commitment, decision
making, problem solving
Shared Vision
Open and free communication
Contact and engagement
Presence
Personal relationship as foundation
Commitment to excellence
More than student affiliations
Common Themes from the Managerial
Level ~ Characteristics of Best Practice
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Consistent and ongoing communication between faculty
and nurse managers and staff
Well prepared faculty: knowledgeable about institutional
policies, clinically competent
Consistent faculty
Faculty available to students
Faculty presence on unit
Common Themes ~ Perceived Threats
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Time and $$$
Politics
Cultures
Workload
Lack of communication
Curriculum ~ real world gap
Lack of faculty consistency and preparation
Students unprofessional and faculty disrespectful
No true partnerships~ clinical affiliations–” We are not
just real estate”
Common Themes ~ Benefits and Value
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Intellectual stimulation
Creates a climate of learning and excellence
Mentoring of staff
Staff encouraged to advance their education
Raises the level of practice
Keeps RNs current in EBP
Greater and improved vision for health care
Grooms students for employment
Common Themes ~ Opportunities
A wish list for UTHSCSA from CNEs
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Joint appointments
Research collaborations
Articulation agreements
New programs
Staff education
Nursing Grand Rounds
Shared Technology
Increased communication and involvement
More clinical time for students
Faculty as true partners
Common Themes ~ Opportunities
A wish list for UTHSCSA from CNOs
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Increased communication
Increased involvement
More clinical time for students
Faculty more present and as true partners
Implications
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These findings have significant implications for
nursing practice and faculty shortages.
Academic and service are no longer a nicety but
rather a necessity.
We must work together to close the gap between
academia and practice if we are to be successful in
educating a workforce for the future.
Increasing Communication
Building Relationships
Dean
CNE
Associate
Dean
CNO or
Director
Faculty
Managers
Next Steps…Some beginnings
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Continued dialogue between Dean and CNEs
Beginning dialogue between faculty and their
practice partners: gap analysis, conversations for
change, open space
A summit and a call for action
AACN Task Force work
Publications