Academic institutions continue to be challenged to enhance their productivity in the face of diminishing resources. Escalating demands on full-time faculty must come from a fundamental transformation in the focus and, hence, design of that work. This article presents a model of a mission transformed from the current representation of the tripartite activities involved with teaching, research, and service to a new representation of the inherent holism of that work. This transformation moves the academy's mission to a single, integrative focus on knowledge work. When the essence of the academy's unique mission is expressed as knowledge work, the unity of knowledge development, dissemination, and application can be actualized in the work lives of a community of scholars. A fuller realization of the inherently holistic nature of this knowledge work is seen as a transformation to coherence at the levels of university, unit, and scholar. Coherence within the academic lives of individuals, the collective community of scholars, and the broader organization is the essential feature for the long-term success of the institution and the career of a scholar.

Efficiency, Organizational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development in schools of nursing. Fund-raising to further long-range strategic plans.

Public or private, large or small, research-oriented or teaching- and service-intensive, every nursing school faces the need to establish a pool of capital to enhance financial stability, increase program independence, and fund special initiatives in an unknown financial future. A strong development program helps to fill such needs. This article addresses several principles of the development process so that deans, faculty, and other decision makers can apply them to their own situations. The authors note the seven important points on the development continuum and then describe the three general gift categories. They discuss communication methods employed in development, highlighting the importance of recognizing donors and cultivating relationships. Consideration is given to the philanthropic potential of women. Finally, the role of the professional development officer, should the school have one, is discussed.

Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Physiological effects of human/companion animal bonding.

Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded in 24 subjects during 3 9-minute measurement sessions in which they petted an unknown dog, petted a dog with whom a companion bond had been established, or read quietly. Based on the findings of this study, several conclusions were drawn: (1) There is a significant difference in changes over time in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure between petting a dog with whom a companion bond has been established and petting a dog with whom no bond exists; (2) the decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure that occur during petting a dog with whom a companion bond has been established parallel the relaxation effect of quiet reading; and (3) there is a " greeting response" to the entry of a dog with whom a companion bond has been established, which results in significantly higher systolic and diastolic pressures than the response either to an unknown dog or to reading.

Adult↗