Enhancing the Pivotal Roles in Workplace Learning and Community Engagement through Transdisciplinary 'cross talking'

Workplace learning is an integral component of many tertiary studies that prepare graduates for professional practice. Various forms of workplace learning engage different stakeholders in varying ways. Through informal discussion between two colleagues from nursing and teacher education about workplace learning, a number of generic issues that transcend disciplinary boundaries were identified. This transdisciplinary dialogue particularly focused on the establishment of effective relationships between the university and the workplace and the culture of support that underpins best practice. A recent innovation in nursing education curriculum and practice was analysed as a basis for deliberations and evidence for reinforcing recommendations. The notion that key personnel are pivotal in developing and maintaining strong relationships was strongly endorsed. However a number of barriers to success were also shared. Informed by this ‘cross-talk’, implications are identified for enhanced workplace learning and the development of professional community relationships in nursing and teaching. The recommendations for improvement in developing university-profession alliances are considered and promoted as relevant for other discipline areas that involve workplace learning.