key: cord-0942703-30tsu2is
authors: Reynolds, Staci; Fuchs, Mary Ann; Edwards, Pamela; Uzarski, Diane; Alston, Sylvia; Broome, Marion
title: The Power of Two: One Academic-Practice Partnership’s Response to COVID-19
date: 2020-07-25
journal: Nurse Lead
DOI: 10.1016/j.mnl.2020.07.006
sha: a090bddf08b6f406be8d89c87bf46afe4c669bff
doc_id: 942703
cord_uid: 30tsu2is

Abstract Academic-practice partnerships are necessary for strengthening nursing practice, robust and relevant academic programs, and advancing healthcare. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a strong academic-practice partnership shaped our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time, existing relationships between the health system and school of nursing were quickly leveraged to provide mutually beneficial relief, opportunities, and support. Initiatives described in this paper demonstrate how powerful a concentrated academic-practice partnership can be in transforming the nursing profession. Moving forward it will be crucial for schools to build partnerships with appropriate organizations that have a vested interest in preparing nurses for the future.

Academic-practice partnerships are crucial for strengthening nursing practice and 25 academe as well as advancing healthcare, as noted in the Institute of Medicine's Future of 26 Nursing (FON) report. 1 These "intentional and formalized relationships are based on mutual 27 goals, respect, and shared knowledge." 2(p1) In 2015, a robust academic-practice partnership was pandemic. This type of partnership can be implemented with any health system, school of 161 nursing, and/or community agency to strengthen nursing practice and advance healthcare;

162 however, the partnership should be tailored to meet the priority needs of all entities involved. 4

The key is a commitment on both sides to using their expertise and strengths to leverage the 164 power of two to support nurses and students, create and support relevant academic programs and 165 to create and translate knowledge to improve patient care.

Using the AACN-AONE guiding principles, a successful academic-practice partnership 167 continues to provide invaluable support, especially during difficult times through leveraging the 168 strengths of both entities. The relationships that were formed though the partnership fostered the 169 commitment and responsibility to assist each partner organization. Through shared trust and 170 initiatives that are mutually beneficial, DANCE was able to quickly implement numerous 171 activities during the pandemic. It is our vision that DANCE will be the preeminent leader in 172 academic-practice partnerships. We hope that other partnerships can learn from our experiences 173 to transform the nursing profession through collaboration, and be leaders in influencing 174 healthcare, education, and stewardship.

• Relationships built through a robust academic-practice partnership provided the foundation for support and strength during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Innovative and mutually beneficial initiatives were developed and implemented through identified priority needs of the health system and the school of nursing.

Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on 187 the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine. The Future of Nursing: Leading Change

National Academies Press (US)

The Guiding Principles to Academic-Practice Partnerships

Exploring the contribution of social 193 enterprise to health and social care: A realist evaluation

Duke Advancement of Nursing, Center of Excellence 196 (DANCE): introduction and implication for Chinese nursing practice