Background: Nursing scholarship is defined as the generation, synthesis, translation, application, and dissemination of knowledge that aims to improve health and transform health care (2018, AACN Task Force).” AACN distinguishes the “Scholarship of Practice” (practice scholar role) from the “Scholarship of Discovery” (researcher role) and the “Scholarship of Teaching” (educator role). These three types of nursing scholarship are described, including examples and suggestions for advancing each type of scholarship. The document states: “the practice scholar applies evidence to practice incorporating implementation and translation science. Practice Scholarship is guided by multiple innovative methods of inquiry that are informed through clinical practice with an aim of improving and transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Practice scholars apply and integrate evidence to and from clinical practice and conduct quality improvement using methodologies to improve care processes.” (p. 3)
Program Overview: The purpose of the Faculty Practice Scholars Program is to assist new faculty engaged in faculty practice to develop a program of practice scholarship. As the CON develops a sizable pool of practicing faculty with rigorous programs of practice scholarship, we can lead the profession of nursing in demonstrating the transformative power of nursing practice on patient outcomes.
Faculty chosen for the program will participate in a 24-month Faculty Practice Scholars Program. As a part of this program Faculty Practice Scholars will receive $5,000 in pilot funding. In addition, during the two-year period, each scholar will have a FPS effort allocation. A total of up to 0.4 FTE will be assigned for practice for up to 2 years at an approved and contracted institution that partners with the Morehead Center for Nursing Practice. In addition, the Faculty Practice Scholar will be assigned no more than 0.3 FTE in educator role and 0.3 FTE in effort allocation for implementing a pilot practice scholarship project, preparing manuscripts, and developing and executing her/his Five-Year Career Plan. Formal mentoring will enhance the faculty FPS’s practice and scholarly activities.
Program Expectations: The goal of the two-year FPS program is to provide time, pilot funding, and mentoring for the FPS to develop their program of practice scholarship. The expectations are as follows:
- Primary expectation is that the Faculty Practice Scholar will complete a pilot practice scholarship project in a high impact focus area. The practice scholarship project should include a proposal (submitted when applying for the FPS Program), IRB approval, data collection, data analysis, results, discussion, dissemination and implementation, and submission until accepted for publication.
- Secondary expectations will include:
- 750-1500 hours of clinical practice over the periods of the program,
- Two or more scholarly manuscripts accepted for publication (a minimum of 1 in the first year)
- Development and implementation of the first two years of a Five-Year Career Plan that leads to promotion and/or tenure and an on-going program of practice scholarship, and
- Regular agenda and meetings with practice scholarship mentor (1 hour per 1-2 weeks)
FPS Program Benefits for the Faculty Practice Scholar:
- $5,000 in pilot funding; $2,500 in year 1 and $2,500 in year 2 based on satisfactory progress on the pilot project
- A mutually-selected faculty practice mentor who is actively engaged in practice scholarship. Practice scholarship mentoring will focus on development and implementation of the pilot practice scholarship project, submission of manuscripts, and developing a Five-Year Career Plan.
Expected Benefits to CON
- Increase number of faculty practice scholars, i.e. faculty engaged in practice with a formal and productive program of practice scholarship.
- Increase in recruitment and retention of faculty who are engaged in the scholarship of practice.
- Increased internal and external grant funding for practice scholarship projects.
Selection of Mentors
Potential practice scholarship mentors must have evidence of being successful in the area of practice scholarship as reflected in the AACN Defining Scholarship for Academic Nursing document. The program may have to seek external mentors until a strong pool of practice scholar mentors have been developed at the CON.
Program evaluation:
Scholar Evaluation: Each Faculty Practice Scholar will be evaluated after 12 and 24 months (detailed report summarizing progress due at 11 and 23 months). Continuation in the program in Year 2 depends on satisfactory progress in Year 1. Evaluation will consist of individual, institution, practice, and scholarship complementary to the standard annual evaluation. A formal evaluation process will be developed by the Associate Dean for Transformational Practice and Partnership and the Morehead Center for Nursing Practice and approved by the Faculty Practice Committee.
Program Sustainability: After two cohorts of scholars have completed the program, an evaluation based on identified outcomes will be conducted. Evaluation for sustainability of the FPS Program will be based on meeting metrics related to recruitment and retention of practice scholars and successful funding for high impact practice scholarship. After two cohorts of scholars have completed the program, an evaluation based on identified outcomes will be conducted
PROCEDURES RELATED TO THE PROPOSAL
Application:
Minimum requirements of application:
- Terminal degree – DNP or PhD
- Funded practice contract through the Morehead Center for Nursing Practice
- Letter of Support from the Assistant Dean confirming the applicant will have the time to pursue the FPS program.
Application Process:
Applicants will submit:
- A 2-page development plan specific to preparing and submitting manuscripts, career goals and objectives of the program.
- A 2-page outline of a pilot practice scholarship project with high potential for impact (Format under development) to included potential for future funding.
- Priorities will be given to applicants in critical faculty shortage areas, e.g. acute care
- Applicants will be chosen by a committee composed of: Chair of Faculty Practice Committee, Director of Morehead Center for Nursing Practice, one member of the Faculty Practice Committee (in addition to chair), the Associate Deans for Transformational Practice and Partnerships and Research, and one representative for the Nursing Research Committee.
The number of applicants chosen each year will be based on the number of qualified applicants, mentors, and resources available but will not exceed 2 per cohort.
The Faculty Practice Scholar Program will be managed and evaluated by the Morehead Center for Nursing Practice and the Faculty Practice Committee. A report will be provided annually to Executive Committee and the Dean.
For questions, or to submit an application, please contact Dr. Kate Fiandt at kfiandt@unmc.edu.
Reference
AACN Task Force. “Defining Scholarship for Academic Nursing.” American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 26 March. 2018. Web. 10 August 2018.
Approved Executive Council August 14, 2018