Development and Implementation of an Academic and Professional Nursing Organization Partnership to Enhance Leadership Skills and Knowledge About HIV-Related Nursing Care Among Diverse, Prelicensure, Clinical Nurse Leader Scholars

Abstract

Historically, racial discrimination, few role models, and a general lack of support both in academic and professional contexts has hindered the education and career advancement of minority nursing students. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), in its G uiding Principles for Academic-Practice Partnerships , describes the creation of an academic-professional nursing organization partnership to address barriers to the success of nursing students from underrepresented groups. In keeping with the AACN's guiding principles, the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) developed a partnership to deliver a multifaceted program for prelicensure, second-degree, Master of Science in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader Scholars which prepares them to address the health care needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and bolsters student leadership knowledge and skills. The objective of this article is to describe the program components, outcomes, and lessons learned from this academic-professional nursing organization partnership. The approach described may be useful for future partnerships designed to enhance leadership experiences and skills for minority nursing students and will hopefully be used to advocate for their success.