Expanding an academic-practice partnership.

This article describes an example of an academic-practice partnership between a university-based school of nursing and a multihospital health system that is based on our common past and has grown significantly as we have embraced opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Our primary goals were to enhance the education of students and staff and, ultimately, improve patient care outcomes. These goals were closely aligned with the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's taskforce on the Future of Nursing for seamless academic progression and improved practice environments. The expansion of the partnership centered on three separate initiatives: education, health information technology, and practice involvement.