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 Caregiving Why the Right Hot Water System Matters in Senior Care From resident showers and laundry services to kitchen operations and infection control, access to hot water promotes a positive resident experience and allows caregivers to complete their work efficiently. READ MORE Turnover Why Orientation and Ongoing Training Matter for Reducing Turnover If we want to create nursing homes where staff thrive—and residents receive the quality care they deserve—we must start by rebuilding our orientation and training processes. It’s not enough to hire people; we must invest in them. READ MORE Policy Caregiving Long Term Care Voices in Research: What We Are Doing and Why AHCA/NCAL helps shape and execute federally-funded research across the country that will deliver solutions to our members. READ MORE View All News Related Articles Management 5/31/2025 The Power of Partnership with PharMerica PharMerica’s passion for exceptional, personalized service and high standards for trust and lasting relationships made it easy for Ciel to choose PharMerica as a preferred pharmacy partner. READ MORE Quality Awards 5/31/2025 2024 National Quality Award Recipients Honored AHCA/NCAL celebrated 737 Bronze Quality Award recipients, 139 Silver Quality Award recipients, and two Gold Quality Award recipients. READ MORE Caregiving 5/31/2025 AHCA's Better Way to Support an Aging America Nursing home care is improving and has a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to serve our nation’s seniors. But access to care is being systemically threatened by a number of issues that providers are working tirelessly to manage. READ MORE