The role of clinical practice in tenure and promotion for health-related faculty members: A new look

Abstract

Background

With the increasing presence of DNP-prepared faculty over the past decade, many nurse educators must balance teaching, research, and service with ongoing clinical practice. Higher education's tenure and promotion process traditionally focuses on teaching, research, and service, often overlooking the clinical practice responsibilities of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) faculty. Honoring clinical practice is not standard, and a re-evaluation of the criteria for promotion is needed.

Innovation

This paper aims to a) advocate for the formal recognition of clinical practice as a key component in tenure and promotion evaluations within health-related disciplines and b) propose solutions for integrating clinical practice evidence into the promotion evaluation process.

Implications

There is a need for more flexible, inclusive policies that recognize the diversity of faculty contributions through clinical excellence.

Conclusions

By incorporating clinical work into the academic review process, institutions can better reflect the multifaceted roles of faculty members who engage in patient care, clinical education, and community health initiatives.