Learning Objective #1: Describe implementation of a collaborative education and practice research partnership

Learning Objective #2: Discuss actions necessary to utilize evidence-based practice as an integral part of staff performance improvement at the level of direct patient-care providers

---

Magnet status recognition necessarily requires organizational change. One of the required standards includes incorporation of research as a foundation for evidence based practice into the organizational culture. This presentation will describe a collaborative partnership between clinical nurse specialists and nursing faculty to establish an effective research program which is an integral part of the staff performance improvement program at the unit level. Armstrong Atlantic State University and St. Joseph's/Candler Health System are long standing partner institutions whose missions are to improve the health care of Southeastern Georgia and the coastal regions. The significance of this partner project lies in the shared abilities, skills and institutional objectives between the clinical nurse specialists in practice, and nursing faculty in education. The formal agreement and established mechanisms provide the structure needed to encourage creativity and motivation necessary for active research designed to improve clinical practice. The projected long term outcome of this project will be improved patient care as a result of the implementation of research protocols for evidence based practice. The Nursing Research Council will continue to address the research needs of the partner institutions, and to address the mission statements of each participating agency.