Answering the call: Academic nurse educators returning to practice on the eve of COVID-19 

Abstract
Prior to Aotearoa New Zealand’s first COVID-19 related death there was an urgent regional need for frontline prepared registered nurses with highly specialised skills. In these exceptional circumstances nursing academics can provide a workforce reservoir to meet this exigent need. In the early stages of pandemic response planning, a district health board sought support from a local provider of nurse education, asking for nurse academics who were willing to return to practice. Learnings highlighted the value of academic staff having clinical currency allowing them to meet moral and professional responsibilities. Furthermore, it is evident that a collaborative relationship between education and healthcare providers can allow access to frontline prepared, highly skilled registered nurses to be called upon in a time of need.

Keywords
COVID-19, lecturer-practitioner, nursing, return to practice