Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Awards

This award is presented annually at the Academic Nursing Leadership Conference.

• The academic partner must be an AACN member institution.
• The academic-practice partnership demonstrates an innovative and sustained relationship that extends beyond clinical placements.
• The partnership demonstrates a commitment to the Guiding Principles for Academic-Practice Partnerships developed by AACN and AONL. 
• The academic-practice partnership demonstrates positive outcomes that are measurable.
• The partnership has been in place for at least a year.

To submit a nomination, upload the following documents to AACN using the online award application:

• One-page description of the Academic–Practice Partnership
• Goals and Outcomes Matrix

The resources below outline partnership expectations and provide outcome matrix examples. The matrix is designed to facilitate a robust and effective academic–practice partnerships by providing a method to: (1) define partnership goals, (2) identify action steps for implementation, and (3) specify expected outcomes and their timeframe. A blank worksheet, sample document, and past award recipients are available for reference.

Download Outcomes Matrix Sample Document

Download Outcomes Matrix Worksheet Template

In addition to submitting the materials described above, please submit your academic-practice case model to the AACN/AONL Repository found here: https://www.aacnnursing.org/our-initiatives/education-practice/academic-practice-partnerships/case-model-repository.

Each school may submit one nomination per year.

View past award recipients

The awards committee is looking for submissions that represent the full spectrum of AACN member institutions, including nominations from small schools and private schools. All nominations will be reviewed by an awards review committee and approved by the AACN Board of Directors. The review committee reserves the right not to recommend an award in any given year. The dean/director of the program receiving the award and the practice representative will be recognized at the AACN Academic Nursing Leadership Conference and highlighted in AACN newsletters and press releases as well as on the AACN website. A plaque will be provided to both the dean and the practice partner.