Developing the academic nursing practice in the midst of new realities in higher education.

The academic nursing practice has a role in replenishing the diminished resources that confront higher education and, if well conceived and managed, is a viable option to support existing academic program stability and growth. An alternative model for defining the academic practice--beyond traditional nurse-managed centers--is presented in this article. The cohesive interconnection of the education, research, and practice missions is addressed with examples of how each contributes to a variety of communities of interest and expands professional nursing roles through innovative care model testing and development. With effective business planning and infrastructure support, faculty practice plans can evolve to a second generation, with heightened societal accountability for service, academic, and collaborative research outcomes.