Abstract
Formal mentorship is widely recognized for strengthening nurses’ evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies and supporting nurse-led research, yet persistent gaps remain between academic preparation and clinical translation. This project synthesizes existing literature and cross-institutional case results to examine how mentorship, when fully embedded in Academic-Clinical Partnership (ACP) infrastructure, catalyzes system-level transformation that extends beyond individual gains.
We integrated a literature synthesis of nine studies with a multi-site case analysis across two ACPs:
1. A large community hospital with a structured mentorship program supporting frontline EBP/QI and research initiatives.
2. A large multi-hospital system piloting a structured academic-clinical mentorship initiative, pairing clinical nurses with academic faculty mentors to support project development and dissemination.
Across all sites, mentorship as infrastructure yielded tangible, scalable gains:
1. Community Hospital: From June 2023-November 2025, 35 nurse-led projects have been supported (22 QI, 8 EBP, and 5 research projects) including one interprofessional research initiative. Outcomes include multiple poster presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and national podium presentations. The initiative added use of Ovid Synthesis and streamlined IRB processes, empowering the Nursing Scholarly Practice Council (Nursing Research Council). Program resources feature shared support from an academic DNP, statistician, and academic editor, promoting rigorous project development and dissemination.
2. Multi-Hospital System: From October 2023-November 2025, 23 nurse-led projects have been accepted across the system, comprising 10 EBP, 7 QI, and 6 research projects. Of these, 11 (48%) achieved external dissemination as posters, podium presentations, or peer-reviewed manuscripts at regional and national conferences. Program infrastructure includes partnership with academic and health system librarians, statisticians, and an academic editor. An embedded academic DNP supports nurse research and EBP councils, further strengthening scholarly capacity and project sustainability. Participation and scholarly output continue to grow as the model expands.
Mentorship, when operationalized within ACPs as shared infrastructure, supported by protected time, shared governance, and agile workflows, transforms not only individual nurses but the organizational fabric.
Notes
References:
Alves, S. (2021). Improvements in clinician, organization, and patient outcomes make a compelling case for evidence-based practice mentor development programs: An integrative review. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 18(5), 283–289. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12533
Chan, E., Glass, G., & Ni Phang, K. (2020). Evaluation of a hospital-based nursing research and evidence-based practice mentorship program on improving nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and evidence-based practice. Journal of Continuing Education, 51(1), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20191217-09
Clark, R., Jennings, C., & Carter, K. (2020). Being a research mentor: A qualitative study. Journal of Nursing Administration, 50(1), 16–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000833
Crawford, C. L., Rondinelli, J., Zuniga, S., Valdez, R. M., Tze-Polo, L., & Titler, M. G. (2023). Barriers and facilitators influencing EBP readiness: Building organizational and nurse capacity. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 20(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12618
Halm, M. A. (2024). A compendium of evidence-based practice instruments for nursing education, practice and research. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 21(6), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12703
Ibrahim, A., Hartjes, T., Rivera, L., Adebayo, A., Pierre, L., & Scruth, E. (2019). Mentoring researchers in resource-poor countries: The role of the clinical nurse specialist as mentor. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 33(1). https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000413
Melnyk, B., Tan, A., Hsieh, A., & Gallagher-Ford, L. (2021). Evidence-based practice culture and mentorship predict EBP implementation, nurse job satisfaction, and intent to stay: Support for the ARCC model. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12524
O’Shea, D., & Fischer-Cartlidge, E. (2020). Building evidence-based practice competency through interactive workshops. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 34(5), 217–221. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000544
Olds, D., Dolansky, M., Gall, K., & Callaway-Lane, C. (2018). VA Quality Scholars Quality Improvement Coach Model to facilitate learning and success. Quality Management in Health Care, 27(2), 87–92. https://doi.org/10.1097/QMH.00000000000164
Spiva, L., Hart, P. L., Patrick, S., Waggoner, J., Jackson, C., & Threatt, J. L. (2017). Effectiveness of an evidence-based practice nurse mentor program. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 14(3), 183–191. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12219
Wallen, G. R., Mitchell, S. A., Melnyk, B., Fineout-Overholt, E., Miller-Davis, C., Yates, J., & Hastings, C. (2010). Implementing evidence-based practice: Effectiveness of a structured multifaceted mentorship programme. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(12), 2761–2771. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05442.x
Sigma Membership
Kappa Epsilon at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Academic-Clinical Partnership, Mentoring and Coaching, Mentoring, Competence, Clinical Competence
Recommended Citation
Iseler, Jackeline and Winowiecki, Joshua, "From Evidence to Impact: Academic-Clinical Partnership as a Mentorship Accelerator" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 205.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/205
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
2026-08-24
From Evidence to Impact: Academic-Clinical Partnership as a Mentorship Accelerator
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Formal mentorship is widely recognized for strengthening nurses’ evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies and supporting nurse-led research, yet persistent gaps remain between academic preparation and clinical translation. This project synthesizes existing literature and cross-institutional case results to examine how mentorship, when fully embedded in Academic-Clinical Partnership (ACP) infrastructure, catalyzes system-level transformation that extends beyond individual gains.
We integrated a literature synthesis of nine studies with a multi-site case analysis across two ACPs:
1. A large community hospital with a structured mentorship program supporting frontline EBP/QI and research initiatives.
2. A large multi-hospital system piloting a structured academic-clinical mentorship initiative, pairing clinical nurses with academic faculty mentors to support project development and dissemination.
Across all sites, mentorship as infrastructure yielded tangible, scalable gains:
1. Community Hospital: From June 2023-November 2025, 35 nurse-led projects have been supported (22 QI, 8 EBP, and 5 research projects) including one interprofessional research initiative. Outcomes include multiple poster presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and national podium presentations. The initiative added use of Ovid Synthesis and streamlined IRB processes, empowering the Nursing Scholarly Practice Council (Nursing Research Council). Program resources feature shared support from an academic DNP, statistician, and academic editor, promoting rigorous project development and dissemination.
2. Multi-Hospital System: From October 2023-November 2025, 23 nurse-led projects have been accepted across the system, comprising 10 EBP, 7 QI, and 6 research projects. Of these, 11 (48%) achieved external dissemination as posters, podium presentations, or peer-reviewed manuscripts at regional and national conferences. Program infrastructure includes partnership with academic and health system librarians, statisticians, and an academic editor. An embedded academic DNP supports nurse research and EBP councils, further strengthening scholarly capacity and project sustainability. Participation and scholarly output continue to grow as the model expands.
Mentorship, when operationalized within ACPs as shared infrastructure, supported by protected time, shared governance, and agile workflows, transforms not only individual nurses but the organizational fabric.
Description
Embedding formal mentorship within academic-clinical partnerships (ACPs) accelerates evidence-based practice (EBP) adoption, supports nurse-led research, improves workforce development, and leads to system transformation. Integrating literature synthesis with real-world ACP outcomes, this work demonstrates substantial improvements in nurse engagement, EBP project flow, improved patient outcomes, and cost savings, establishing a replicable model for scalable, sustainable practice change.