The transition from the clinical arena to academia can be challenging for even the most experienced of nurses. Many new nurse faculty experience frustration in navigating the culture of an academic work environment—one that vastly differs from the clinical setting in terms of values, expectations, language, relationships, policies, and procedures (Grassley & Lambe, 2015; McDermid, Peters, Jackson, & Daly, 2012; White, Brannan, Wilson, 2010). Structured mentoring programs ease the transition of integrating new faculty into the academic culture (Grassley & Lambe, 2015; White et al., 2010), yet a spirit of collaboration and effective leadership are needed at the organizational level in order to ensure the success of such mentorships.
Experienced nurses within the clinical arena are often familiar with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN, 2016) Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments. These six (6) evidence-based standards reflect relationship-centered principles of professional performance to ensure excellent nursing practice and optimal outcomes for patients and their families (AACN, 2016). Similarly, experienced nurse faculty often abide by essential leadership tenets to promote high performing, supportive work environments in academe. The Kouzes & Posner (2012) Leadership Model describes “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” that easily align with AACN’s Standards, and—when used in conjunction—promotes a framework that may serve to bridge the transition gap between clinical and academic work environments. The purpose of this presentation is to align the AACN Healthy Work Environment Standards with the Kouzes & Posner Leadership Model as a framework for enhancing professional wellbeing within academic environments. A comparison and integration of the two models will be considered, strategies for application and integration within the academic organization will be discussed, and potential obstacles and barriers to employee engagement will be explored.