The demonstration of a joint faculty/practice position

When the final report was presented at the end of the second semester, suggestions were made to continue the position and also to expand it to other clinical areas. The decision was made to continue the position for a third semester and to seek a reciprocal arrangement by a nurse in practice. In such a position, a nurse in practice would take a leadership role in bringing strengths from practice to nursing education. Ideally joint positions will occur in other clinical areas. Each nurse in a joint position would strive to provide high quality of care, achieve academic excellence and conduct research. Although the author is no longer in the joint position, the results of this experience have been rewarding. Both institutions seek to develop similar positions. Communication and collaboration between practice and education have improved as each group recognizes the strengths of the other. An increase of sharing of skills and knowledge is observed. The author continues to provide support for activities which were begun during this experience. Many benefits have been realized from this experience; a parent education program continues to expand through the efforts of the nursing staff, the support group is on going under the supervision of the Head Nurse. A warm welcome awaits the author when she arrives on the pediatric unit for a visit! The author's overall goal to demonstrate a mechanism to improve communication and collaboration between nursing education and practice has been realized. Nurses have grown from this experience, patients have received improved nursing care and nursing knowledge has been augmented. This has been a vital experience in nursing.