Leased clinical faculty model: Bridging gaps in nursing education

Abstract

In response to the critical Registered Nursing (RN) shortage, John Carroll University, a not-for-profit, private, faith-based university in the Midwest, has developed an academic-practice partnership to bolster its new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This initiative addresses the challenge of limited clinical faculty. Central to this strategy is a “leased employee agreement” with healthcare partners, which allows the university to employ practicing RNs as part-time clinical instructors. Formulated in collaboration with healthcare Chief Nurse Executives (CNEs), this model enables the seamless integration of hospital-employed RNs into the academic framework as clinical faculty. This model streamlines the onboarding process and enriches student learning experiences by leveraging the practical expertise of active nurses. Initial feedback following its launch in August 2023 has been positive, with students and clinical faculty reporting high levels of satisfaction and quality educational experiences. This approach presents a viable strategy to mitigate faculty shortages in nursing education and underscores the importance of inventive academic-practice partnerships in adapting to the dynamic demands of healthcare training.