Building a Practice-Focused Academic-Practice Partnership.

A practice-focused academic-practice partnership merging the strengths and resources of 2 faith-based community organizations built evidence-based practice, nursing research, and innovative nursing programs. The unique partnership emphasizing quality care and patient outcomes resulted in hospital-acquired infection reduction, interventional research reducing readmissions, clinical redesign, increased percentage of bachelor's degree-prepared nurses, and dissemination through publication and presentation. Key elements to partnership success were shared mission and vision, program oversight, strong contract, and annual plans with specific measurable outcomes.