An Academic-Practice Partnership: Fostering Collaboration and Improving Care Across Settings

BACKGROUND:Through the Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP), baccalaureate nursing students and faculty participated in practice innovations in a Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Nationally, VANAP has attempted to bridge gaps between theory and practice and across care settings. APPROACH:In a population health course, nursing students were placed in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Through activities such as postconferences and population-based projects, students joined forces with Veterans Affairs staff on issues that affected veterans' health care. OUTCOMES:Two student groups worked on amputation prevention from opposite ends of the spectrum. Their projects, with the continuation of these by faculty and staff, resulted in 47% decrease in vascular-related hospital readmissions. CONCLUSIONS:Student placements in settings across the care continuum improved communication between the settings. The enhanced partnership between the 2 organizations addressed a relevant, meaningful patient care issue.