AONL joins eight other nursing organizations in endorsing a collaborative effort to propose and support academic-practice partnerships between health care facilities and pre-licensure RN and practical/vocational nursing (PN/VN) programs across the country during the COVID-19 crisis. In a policy brief, the nursing organizations propose health care facilities and nursing education programs work together to allow students to support nursing services in health care facilities while receiving academic credit toward clinical requirements. The brief notes that the participation of student nurses and faculty is voluntary and must comply with any additional requirements mandated in state emergency response provisions or through existing Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and the safety for all front-line providers must be safeguarded through appropriate and prevailing infection control practices.
