296 ■ III: ROLE FUNCTIONS OF DOCTORAL ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE
schools of nursing have partnered with the VA to provide veteran- focused learning
opportunities for our students. In 2014, NERVANA won the AACN-AONE Exemplary
Academic– Practice Award. While we have significantly increased the number of clini-
cal placements at the VA, we have also expanded program options, launched dedicated
education units, developed the first Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE )- accredited post- baccalaureate residency program, and expanded research ini-
tiatives through joint appointments of faculty nurse scientists at the VA. Most recently,
we have developed a cohort model Executive Nurse Leadership DNP program for 20
nurse leaders from four of our service partners. Employees have been selected for their
expanded leadership roles by our partners and many of the senior practice leaders will
join the faculty in teaching roles. We are excited to be working toward a mission of a
better educated workforce and the IOM goal of 50% doctorally prepared nurses by 2020.
I extend congratulations to the authors who have hit the nail on the proverbial head
with their chapter. The opportunities abound, the benefits exceed imagination, and the
future looks bright. Although there are many such anecdotal descriptions of successful
academic - practice partnerships, objective evidence of outcomes of the many innova-
tions attempted is limited (Beal, 2012). Next steps must include published studies of
outcomes that are generalizable and feasible.
■ REFERENCES
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2012). AACN-AONE task force on academic- practice
partnerships. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/leading-initiatives/academic-practice
-partnerships/GuidingPrinciples.pdf
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2015). Futures task force final report to the AACN board of
directors. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/FTFReport
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2016). Advancing healthcare transformation: A new era
for academic nursing. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/AACN-Manatt-Report.pdf
Beal, J. A. (2012). Academic-service partnerships in nursing: An integrative review. Nursing Research and
Practice , 501564. Retrieved from http://DC.doi.org/10.1155/2012/501564
Beal, J. A., Breslin, E., Autsin, R., Brower, L., Bullard, K., Light, K.,... Ray, N. (2011). Hallmarks of best
academic-practice partnerships in nursing Lessons learned from San Antonio. Journal of Professional
Nursing, 27 (6), e90–e95. doi:10.1016/j.professnurs.2011.07.006
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine).
(2010). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from nationalacad
emies.org/hmd/reports