Innovation in Faculty Practice: A College of Nursing and Juvenile Justice Collaboration

Residential Juvenile Justice Services (JJS) facilities are located in every state and, in general, represent an underserved and diverse adolescent population. The JJS centers present an exciting and innovative opportunity for collaboration with colleges of nursing to initiate faculty practice sites. The University of Utah College of Nursing has been serving 5 JJS centers for 14 years and recently doubled its services to incorporate 10 different JJS Centers in the state of Utah. Each center offers a unique patient population and setting providing the student with an opportunity to learn health assessment and physical examination skills not typically presented in more traditional hospital or outpatient facilities. This type of community collaboration affords an opportunity for faculty practice, education, research, and service. An interprofessional focus enriches the experience.