Faculty Practice

Acts of Courage in a Time of Crisis and Confusion

Abstract

Faculty practice has far-reaching benefits to the nursing profession. Benefits and barriers to faculty practice are examined, and successful innovative faculty practice plans are discussed. Benefits to faculty practice include enhanced teaching, scholarship, research, and practice; enhanced credibility among students and colleagues; ability to maintain cutting-edge practice; enhanced salaries; and improved career satisfaction and self-esteem. Barriers to faculty practice include lack of monetary resources and inadequate reimbursement for services, low faculty salaries, lack of academic support, inadequate recognition for promotion and tenure, and lack of faculty practice opportunities within healthcare institutions. Models of faculty practice and examples of successful faculty practice initiatives are discussed.