Abstract | Instilling Passion for Innovation: Structures to Support New Ideas

Nursing innovations bring efficiencies leading to improved clinical and administrative outcomes that reduce time to complete work, decrease cost of care and improve stakeholder satisfaction. So, why don’t we see and hear about more nurse-led innovations? There are many possible answers. Innovative ideas raised may already be available in the marketplace. Ideas shared with nursing leaders may be ignored, or worse, leaders do not understand the possible benefits and discourage taking next steps. Messages from peers could discourage innovating. Nurses may hear “been there, done that,” “that will never work,” “it’s too costly,” “we are nurses, not engineers” and “we do not have time to develop this.” Further, idea initiators may not know who to share their idea with, who to seek support from and who helps fund innovation work. Without the right level of support and encouragement to move an idea forward, nurses may believe that once they communicate an idea, it is up to their leader to take next steps. In actuality, innovation is complex work. Characteristics of innovators who succeed in bringing novel and valuable products to commercialization demonstrate passion for their innovation and commitment to the process. All innovation stakeholders, including mentors and leaders, must be flexible and understand roadblocks will occur along the path to success.

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