Hallmarks of Best Practice~ Academic-Service Partnerships

1. 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

2. Qualified BSN Entry Applications Turned Away(AACN 2010)

3. Academic-Practice Partnerships • 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.

4. The Academic-Practice Gap keeps on getting wider…. • 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

5. The Texas Project • 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

6. Common Themes from the Executive Level ~ Characteristics of Best Practice • 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

7. Common Themes from the Managerial Level ~ Characteristics of Best Practice • 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

8. Common Themes ~ Perceived Threats • 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”

9. Common Themes ~ Benefits and Value • 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

10. Common Themes ~ OpportunitiesA wish list for UTHSCSA from CNEs • 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

11. Common Themes ~ OpportunitiesA wish list for UTHSCSA from CNOs • Increased communication • Increased involvement • More clinical time for students • Faculty more present and as true partners

12. Implications • 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.

13. Increasing CommunicationBuilding Relationships

14. Next Steps…Some beginnings • 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