Integrating Scholarship, Teaching, and Practice with LCON Partners

In the world of nursing education, integrating scholarship, teaching, and service is often seen as essential to a practice-focused program like the BSN program at the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON). However, achieving this balance can be challenging in academia, where faculty may specialize as "the best teachers," "the best researchers," or "the best practitioners." Despite this, LCON remains committed to actualizing its vision “to be transformative leaders in nursing education, practice, and science” by blending these roles seamlessly rather than treating them as separate domains.

Recognizing the need for real-world, high-quality educational experiences for nursing students, Dr. Brad Harrell, Assistant Dean for Community Partnerships and Practice, and Dr. Debra Lynch Kelly, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, forged a vital partnership with Baptist Memorial Health Care. Their collaboration led to the development of the Allied Development of Enhanced Preceptor Training (ADEPT) Program, a forward-thinking initiative designed to enhance the training of preceptors—those who mentor and guide nursing students and new nurses in clinical settings.

The program recently received significant support when the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) awarded a grant to fund this project. The THA’s focus is on improving access to nursing education and strengthening the healthcare workforce across the state, and this program aligns perfectly with that goal. The ADEPT Program aims to bolster preceptor training through a combination of personal interactions, group meetings, simulation exercises, and cutting-edge virtual reality simulations.

This program will not only prepare nurse preceptors to train students and new nurses more effectively but also highlights the power of partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare providers. The initiative is a prime example of the impact that can be made when scholarship, teaching, and service are combined in nursing education. Dr. Harrell and Dr. Kelly’s efforts underscore how LCON’s tripartite academic role can directly influence the quality of healthcare delivery.

Ultimately, the ADEPT Program aims to improve patient care across communities by ensuring that the next generation of nurses is well-prepared, competent, and confident in their roles. By investing in the development of skilled preceptors, LCON and its partners are shaping the future of nursing, improving health outcomes, and strengthening the workforce that cares for our communities.