Abstract
Background: Academic-clinical partnerships in nursing are vital to foster scholarly inquiry, strengthen quality improvement, promote evidence-based practice, and advance research initiatives. Hosting a collaborative conference strengthens academic-clinical practice partnerships and creates a platform for communicating findings.
Purpose: This report details the program evaluation of the inaugural Transforming Cancer Nursing Care Through Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Research Conference hosted jointly by an academic medical center and school of nursing.
Methods: Findings from a study that identified and prioritized the real-world challenges faced by cancer nurses served as the initial catalyst for convening the conference. The academic-clinical practice partnership provided the foundational framework to integrate quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and research. The cross-institutional planning committee jointly developed the thematic framework and logistical planning for the full-day conference, including process for abstract reviews and structured rehearsals to help speakers refine their presentations.
Results: A timeline for logistical planning was developed and followed over a 10-month period. Fifty abstracts were received resulting in 4 podium presentations and 35 lightning presentations. An internationally known speaker delivered the keynote address. Over 199 participants registered, meeting the seating capacity; however, 100+ attended the in-person event. The majority were BSN prepared (n=44) followed by MSN (n=32). All participants reported that the learning objectives were met (n=101) and 99% (n=99) reported that the program included sufficient interactive opportunities to answer questions. Most participants reported that they intended to make practice changes as a result of the conference (n = 96). The final cost was approximately $18,000.
Discussion: The conference was highly successful in facilitating the dissemination of scholarly work by students, clinical staff, and faculty. The extensive logistical planning process was critical to ensuring smooth operations. The cross-institutional committee gained insight into the distinct nuances of each organization. This further enhanced the collaborative efforts by building upon each other’s strengths. Planning for the second transforming cancer care conference is currently underway. To reduce the number of no-shows, a nominal charge to cover some expenses is being considered.
Notes
References:
Bacon, C. T., & Jenkins, M. (2023). Academic-Practice Partnership in Research: Meeting the Gold Standard. The Journal of nursing administration, 53(5), 246–247. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001278
Dirik, H. F., Yildirim, M., Ozmen, S., & Seren Intepeler, S. (2025). Academic-clinical collaborative partnerships: A qualitative exploration of facilitators and barriers from the perspectives of nurse academics, clinicians, and students. Nurse education today, 149, 106674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106674
Hacker, E.D., Forbes, S., Martinez, A., Fadol, A., Vaughn, J., Shelton, V., & Dains, J. (2025). Consensus building to identify nursing research priorities among oncology nurses: A delphi study in a NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Cancer Nursing, 48(6), E387-E396. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCC.0000000000001375
Reilly, K., Heitschmidt, M., & Reed, M. (2025). Engaging Nursing Students in Clinical Research Through a Unique Academic-Clinical Partnership. The Journal of nursing education, 64(7), e71–e75. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20240611-01
Thornton, C. P., Haut, C., Yefimova, M., Gettis, M. A., Calamaro, C., Ginsberg, J. S., & McCabe, M. A. (2024). Student-led Doctor of Nursing Practice projects in the clinical environment: Viewpoint from hospital-based nurse scientists and leaders. Nursing outlook, 72(5), 102239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102239
Sigma Membership
Alpha, Alpha Lambda
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Academic-Clinical Partnership, Implementation Science, Continuing Education, Cancer Nursing, Oncology Nursing, Quality Improvement, Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Evidence-Based Nursing
Recommended Citation
Hacker, Eileen Danaher; Johnson, Constance; and Demla, Asha, "Transforming Cancer Nursing Care Through Academic-Clinical Practice Partnerships" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 154.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/154
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026
Transforming Cancer Nursing Care Through Academic-Clinical Practice Partnerships
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Academic-clinical partnerships in nursing are vital to foster scholarly inquiry, strengthen quality improvement, promote evidence-based practice, and advance research initiatives. Hosting a collaborative conference strengthens academic-clinical practice partnerships and creates a platform for communicating findings.
Purpose: This report details the program evaluation of the inaugural Transforming Cancer Nursing Care Through Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Research Conference hosted jointly by an academic medical center and school of nursing.
Methods: Findings from a study that identified and prioritized the real-world challenges faced by cancer nurses served as the initial catalyst for convening the conference. The academic-clinical practice partnership provided the foundational framework to integrate quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and research. The cross-institutional planning committee jointly developed the thematic framework and logistical planning for the full-day conference, including process for abstract reviews and structured rehearsals to help speakers refine their presentations.
Results: A timeline for logistical planning was developed and followed over a 10-month period. Fifty abstracts were received resulting in 4 podium presentations and 35 lightning presentations. An internationally known speaker delivered the keynote address. Over 199 participants registered, meeting the seating capacity; however, 100+ attended the in-person event. The majority were BSN prepared (n=44) followed by MSN (n=32). All participants reported that the learning objectives were met (n=101) and 99% (n=99) reported that the program included sufficient interactive opportunities to answer questions. Most participants reported that they intended to make practice changes as a result of the conference (n = 96). The final cost was approximately $18,000.
Discussion: The conference was highly successful in facilitating the dissemination of scholarly work by students, clinical staff, and faculty. The extensive logistical planning process was critical to ensuring smooth operations. The cross-institutional committee gained insight into the distinct nuances of each organization. This further enhanced the collaborative efforts by building upon each other’s strengths. Planning for the second transforming cancer care conference is currently underway. To reduce the number of no-shows, a nominal charge to cover some expenses is being considered.
Description
Academic-clinical partnerships in nursing are vital to foster scholarly inquiry. This report details the program evaluation of the inaugural Transforming Cancer Nursing Care Through Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, and Research Conference. Overall, the conference was highly successful in facilitating the dissemination of scholarly work by students, clinical staff, and faculty. The extensive logistical planning process was critical to ensuring smooth operations.