title: Acknowleding attributes that enable the career academic nurse to thrive in the tertiary education sector: A qualitative systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To optimise the career development in early career academic nurses by providing an overview of the attributes necessary for success.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Evidence of early prospective career planning is necessary to optimise success in the tertiary sector. This is particularly important for nurse academics given the profession's later entry into academia, the ageing nursing workforce and the continuing global shortage of nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Medline, ERIC, Professional Development Collection and Google Scholar databases were searched; resulting in the inclusion of nine qualitative nurse-only focussed studies published between 2004 and 2014. The studies were critically appraised and the data thematically analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three abilities were identified as important to the early career academic nurse: a willingness to adapt to change, an intention to pursue support and embodying resilience. These abilities give rise to attributes that are recommended as key to successful academic career development for those employed on a continuing academic basis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The capacity to rely on one's own capabilities is becoming seen as increasingly important. It is proposed that recognition of these attributes, their skilful application and monitoring outlined in the review are recommended for a successful career in academia.
authors: Director of Undergraduate Nursing Studies, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: aileen.wyllie@uts.edu.au.
authors: Aileen
authors: A
authors: Wyllie
authors: Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Cardiovascular & Chronic Care, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: michelle.digiacomo@uts.edu.au.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: DiGiacomo
authors: Professor of Nursing Oxford Brooks University & University of New England, Australia. Electronic address: djackson@brookes.ac.uk.
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Jackson
authors: Professor & Dean of Nursing Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD., United States. Electronic address: pdavids3@jhu.edu.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Davidson
authors: Professor of Nursing, Director Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: jane.phillips@uts.edu.au.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Phillips
mesh_terms: D004777:Environment; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Abilities; Academic; Attributes; Career planning; Nurse; Portfolio; Resilience