This case model outlines how the development of a joint faculty role strengthened research capacity and collaboration between an academic organization and their practice partner.
Academic Partner: Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Practice Partner(s): Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Implementation Status: Implemented; Continuously Reviewed
Implementation Date: 2021
Brief Summary
When faculty shortages make it difficult to fund positions supporting evidence-based practice (EBP) and research, cost-sharing academic–practice partnerships can align efforts across settings. At Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, leaders strengthened research capacity by creating a joint faculty role. The PhD program director holds a dual appointment as program director at Goldfarb and nurse researcher at BJH, advancing scholarship, mentoring learners, supporting clinical research, and aligning academic and practice priorities.
Guiding Principles Alignment
This case model aligns with AACN/AONL Guiding Principles by promoting shared investment, reciprocal benefit, and alignment of academic and clinical priorities. The joint appointment strengthens collaboration between academia and practice, integrates research and evidence-based practice into clinical settings, and supports workforce development. By sharing leadership for research and scholarship, both organizations advance nursing science while ensuring academic efforts remain responsive to clinical needs and system priorities.
Problem Statement & Goals
Problem/Need Identified:
Faculty shortages and limited funding made it difficult for academic programs and practice settings to independently support robust EBP and research infrastructure. There was a need for a cost-sharing approach that aligned research priorities, strengthened interprofessional collaboration, and advanced nursing scholarship while supporting career development for nurses and faculty across settings.
Goals & Objectives:
- Strengthen nursing research and EBP capacity across academia and practice
- Support PhD and DNP student scholarship and mentorship
- Align academic research efforts with clinical priorities
- Advance dissemination of nursing research and best practices
Intervention & Strategy
Description of Intervention:
Goldfarb and BJH created a joint faculty role in which the PhD program director holds a dual appointment as associate dean of research at the college of nursing and nurse researcher at the hospital. Reporting to the Goldfarb dean for PhD programming and the BJH chief nursing officer for clinical research, the director advances scholarship, mentors learners, consults with clinical teams, and aligns research and EBP efforts across both organizations.
Roles & Responsibilities:
In this role, the director serves as faculty in the PhD program, mentors PhD and DNP students through scholarly projects, advises nurses on abstracts and manuscripts, and consults on clinical research topics. The director collaborates on EBP and research education, develops online courses, supports career ladder initiatives, and represents both organizations in professional, quality, and research governance activities.
Resources Utilized:
The partnership uses cost-sharing and joint appointments supported by formal memoranda of understanding. Time and effort are allocated across academic and clinical roles. Research infrastructure at BJH and academic resources at Goldfarb support mentorship, education, and dissemination activities.
Outcome Metrics
Educational Outcomes:
- Increased mentorship and support for PhD and DNP students
- Enhanced alignment of scholarly projects with clinical priorities
Workforce Outcomes:
- Strengthened nursing research career pathways
- Increased engagement in EBP and research education
Clinical Outcomes:
- Improved consultation and research support for quality and safety initiatives
- Enhanced dissemination of evidence-based practices
Sustainability & Scalability
Sustainability Plan:
Sustainability is supported through joint governance, shared leadership reporting structures, and formal agreements that align academic and practice goals. The dual appointment embeds research leadership into both organizations, ensuring continued collaboration and alignment.
Replication Potential:
This model can be adapted by other academic–practice partnerships through joint research leadership roles, cost-sharing agreements, and formal MOUs that align research, education, and clinical priorities.
Lessons Learned
Key Success Factors:
- Dual reporting structures strengthened alignment across organizations
- Integration of research, EBP, and education supported workforce development
- Active engagement in clinical research ensured relevance to patient care
Challenges & Solutions:
Balancing academic and clinical responsibilities required clear role definition and governance. Formal agreements and shared oversight helped manage expectations and ensure sustainability.
Supporting Documents
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