AACN Selects Firm to Conduct National Study on Nursing's Role within AHCs

AACN Selects Leading Consulting Firm to Investigate Ways to 
Maximize Nursing’s Contribution in Academic Health Centers

Manatt Health Solutions to Provide Comprehensive Report on Elevating
Nursing’s Role in Academic Health Centers

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2015 – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is pleased to announce that Manatt Health Solutions, the interdisciplinary policy and business advisory division of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, has been selected to conduct a national survey and assessment on how to best position nursing schools to thrive within academic health centers (AHCs). This groundbreaking report will take a critical look at the current state of academic nursing in AHCs and offer recommendations for better integrating nursing schools into the broader clinical enterprise and governance structure within AHCs. 

“AACN is pleased to have the opportunity to work with the experts at Manatt to study how to fully leverage nursing schools within academic health centers to ensure long-term success and sustainability,” said AACN President Eileen T. Breslin. “Findings from this report will have implications for the larger nursing education community since most nursing schools rely on AHCs as clinical training sites, research centers, employment hubs for graduates, and as the source for faculty.”

In January 2015, the AACN Board of Directors approved the commissioning of a comprehensive study on how to elevate nursing’s role in academic health centers. Nationally, AHCs are regional centers for health professions education, research, and patient care, which prepare more than 200,000 practitioners annually from across disciplines, including nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and allied health. Though 100 schools of nursing are affiliated with AHCs, organizational structures vary widely, and nursing’s contribution to the overall health enterprise is uneven. “The best practices and exemplars identified in this report may be leveraged by all nursing schools to advance their education, research, and practice missions with the goal of improving the nation’s health and health care,” added Dr. Breslin.

The Manatt study, which encompasses a nursing alignment survey, leadership interviews, and a one-day summit with key stakeholders, will help AACN identify best practices and successful models for fully integrating nursing schools into the governance and operation of AHCs. The final report is due in October 2015, and key findings will be presented at AACN’s Fall Semiannual Meeting in Washington, DC.