The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70258

Barbara Ganley, PhD, RN and Ingrid Sheets, MSN, RNc. Department of Nursing, Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901, 707 938-4830, bjganley@comcast.net

Literature suggests partnerships between nursing education and health departments provide many benefits for both, e.g., the public health nurse’s increased ability to articulate complexities of practice, and increased learning opportunities for student nurses. Other benefits have been realized from this effort. In 2002, a Collaborative Academic/Practice Alliance (CAPA) formed between the Marin County, California Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and local BSN and MSN nursing programs. DHHS was concerned with continuing to provide qualified community/public health nurses during an extreme nursing shortage, while continuing to enhance community healthcare services. Schools of nursing were concerned with securing quality experiences for community/public health nurse students and addressing needs of diverse populations in Marin and adjacent counties. Results of this partnership have far exceeded those anticipated. DHHS has greater access to baccalaureate RNs for recruitment, competition among local universities for precious CHN placements has been eliminated, experiences for nursing students have been enriched, and health care services to the community have been expanded. While, the results have not been fully realized (the initial cohort are still in school), a strong respect and partnership has evolved among competing schools of nursing. Competition for placements is replaced with cooperation and an “auction” which establishes placement opportunities for a full academic year. Collaborative efforts among students developed - students from different schools work together to support families incorporating scholarship from two universities. This document describes the conceptualization and implementation of CAPA, implications for practice and future research, and shares lessons and successes.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
• State three ways that an academic practice alliance improves healthcare delivery.
• State three strategies for development of acaemic practice alliances.
• State three ways that student learning is enhanced through academic practice alliances.
• State three benefits to the community when academic practice alliances are formed.

Keywords: Nursing Education, Community-Based Partnership

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee at Dominican University of Califonira