Eastern State Hospital’s (ESH) Work Learning Program (WLP) is part of an academic-practice partnership between the University of Kentucky, UK HealthCare, UK College of Nursing, UK College of Social Work, and Eastern State Hospital. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Manatt Health Project Team Report (2016) affirms that academic nursing is often neglected as a partner in healthcare transformation. Academic-practice partnerships provide a unique opportunity to support professional development and career advancement.
The purpose of the WLP is to advance education, enhance staff development, support research, and improve patient outcomes. The program provides evidence-based support to full-time employees admitted to the Work Learning Program including a study room, paid study time, peer tutoring, and bonding activities. The program began in Fall 2017 with an RN to BSN cohort. This cohort graduated in August 2019. A second cohort began in Summer 2020 that serves 11 doctoral students (6 Doctor of Nursing Practice; 5 Doctor of Social Work).