Supporting new academic staff Quality Improvement (QI) project in the School of Nursing and Health Care Leadership

Abstract

Recruiting and retaining appropriately qualified academic staff is vital for the delivery of high-quality teaching in any academic setting, including health care and nursing. Evidence suggests that transition from an expert clinician to becoming a novice academic in the field of adult nursing could be challenging. A Quality Improvement project was undertaken to develop a structured induction and orientation programme in the School of Nursing and Health Care Leadership ensuring a smooth introduction to academia. The outcome of the QI project suggests that novice academics benefit from a structured induction and orientation programme helping in the smooth transition from expert clinician to becoming a novice academic. Key words: Novice academic staff, support, induction and orientation, professional development, quality improvement, project.