LAUSR

Background: Many challenges are inherent in academic nursing, and additional unique challenges exist for faculty and nursing programs that simultaneously engage in or offer faculty practice. To date, little has been published on faculty practice and academic nursing outside of the mission of education. Purpose: To describe faculty practice within the context of academic nursing as it pertains to scholarship and research, annual evaluations, promotion, support of faculty practice, and additional benefits and challenges. Methods: A convenience sample of faculty and administrators was surveyed from 6 different universities in the United States. Results: A total of 25 faculty members and 11 administrators participated. Results indicate faculty practice offers both benefits and challenges to the noneducational aspects of academic nursing. Conclusion: The benefits and challenges should be carefully considered within the context of the future of academic nursing and faculty practice.