Academic-Practice Partnerships Tool Kit Page ContentPLAYERS A. Selecting partners How do you identify your partners? Why is this partner a good fit? How do you approach your potential partner? How do you make the appointment with the right person? Who is the right person? B. Preparing for your first meeting Where do you meet? What do you need to know about your potential partner and his or her organization? What does your partner need to know about you and your organization? PARTNERSHIPS A. Initial meeting What is the right partnership activity for you and your partner? What documents about your organization might be helpful to bring to the first meeting? What do you have to offer? What is the mutual benefit? What is your vision? Does your potential partner share this vision? What is the potential initiative/activity, and who else needs to be involved in both organizations? Who is the top leadership in the organization? Are you talking to them? What is the business case for the partnership? What are the next steps? Do you have a timeline established at the end of the first meeting? Be sure to send a thank-you note with next steps delineated. B. Subsequent meetings Do you have clarity on goals and vision? What resources are needed? What are the details and timeline of the initiative? Whom can we call for expert consultation if need be? Will there be an official MOU? What are the expected outcomes of the activity? ENVIRONMENT A. Time Is this the right time for this partnership? What are the issues that will facilitate or impede the development of the partnership? What is the time commitment for the partners? Whose time will be required? When will the meetings be scheduled? Are they on a regular basis and frequent? B. Space What space is required for the activity? What equipment or supplies are needed? What funding is needed? Where are we meeting? Where will we present outcomes? C. Regulation What are the policies or regulatory issues that will impede or facilitate development of the partnership on both sides? D. Context How will the partnership be funded? What are the constraints of both partners? What history do the partners have with each other and each others’ institutions? Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2012). “Academic-Practice Partnerships Tool Kit.” Retrieved May 4, 2013, from www.aacn.nche.edu/leading-initiatives/academic-practice-partnerships/tool-kit. Reproduced with permission. Related News Management Caregiving Senior Living Trends for 2026 and Beyond Across the country, organizations are moving away from a “wait and see” approach and are instead acting on strategic initiatives that strengthen market position, modernize assets, and align communities with the preferences of a new generation of residents. READ MORE Caregiving Management Balancing Building Access with Safety and Security Senior living facilities need to blend residential comfort, medical readiness, hospitality, and security into a single integrated ecosystem designed around the well-being of older adults. READ MORE Diet Caregiving Setting Up Systems to Prevent Weight Loss Weight loss is rarely about one missed tray. It usually reflects breakdowns in workflow, observation, communication, and follow-through. If the interventions exist only on paper, resident decline will continue. READ MORE View All News Related Articles Assisted Living 3/5/2026 A Successful Past and an Even Brighter Future for NCAL As NCAL marks its 25th anniversary this year, we have a unique and exciting opportunity both to celebrate what assisted living has become during this time. READ MORE Caregiving 3/5/2026 Understanding the Long-Stay Antipsychotic Quality Measure The updated LS antipsychotic measure requires facilities to respond differently, not only by coding accurately, but also by managing medications more deliberately in real time. READ MORE Caregiving Management 3/5/2026 The Leader Behind the Numbers: Chris Wright “I look at it as a servant position. I’m not here to exert control. It’s about serving our members, and I’m focused on unifying a lot of priorities that we need to advocate for.” READ MORE