Because of limited budgets and faculty shortage, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has recommended the use of strategic partnerships between hospitals and nursing schools. These partnerships offer opportunities to create a highly educated nursing workforce, bridge the faculty shortage gap, and strengthen clinical connections with area healthcare agencies. This presentation will discuss a recently initiated strategic partnership aimed at educating senior nursing students in hands-on advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). A one-day, clinical simulation, facilitated by healthcare agency nurse educators, ACLS instructors, and nursing faculty, is provided to allow students a hands-on experience with witnessing, running, and participating in a code blue situation. Future plans for this collaboration, including facilitating continuing education of healthcare agency employees, will also be discussed.
