Kristine L. Florczak, Julie Ann Buenting
The focus of this column is the idea of collaborative research as part of sweeping changes that the Institute of Medicine has recommended for the future of nursing. An overview of the recommendations will be presented followed by a cursory review of the concept of collaboration, and a discussion of a theoretical model. Barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration will also be entertained. Finally, loosely coupled systems will be proposed as a way to protect the profession of nursing.