Development of scholarly trajectories that reflect core values and priorities: a strategy for promoting faculty retention.

Development of scholarly trajectories that more adequately allow faculty to balance work-related goals with priorities in their larger lives may play an important role in the retention of nursing faculty. This article articulates a process for developing scholarly trajectories consistent with core values and priorities. The potential of Boyer's model of scholarship as a framework for such a trajectory is discussed. Attention is given to consciously think through competing priorities within and across the multiple facets of life as a critical component of staging academic pursuits. An exercise designed to enhance creation of scholarly trajectories that balance needs across different dimensions is presented. Challenges affecting development of scholarly trajectories, including increased scholarly demands, growing preference for doctorally prepared faculty, and tenure/promotion expectations and time frames, are addressed.