Promoting Innovation in Global Nursing Practice

Innovation can be thought of as taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way. Organizations that innovate create more efficient work processes and have better productivity and performance; however, healthcare is relatively new to the science of innovation. Innovation in nursing is about encouraging nurses to use their knowledge and skills to change old ways of thinking and practicing and to develop new ways of working that improve nursing practice. It can be a daunting and challenging task to become an innovator within nursing, but innovators have the potential to improve the work environments of nurses and the quality of care and health outcomes of patients. This article provides descriptions of five inspiring nurse-led innovations and guidance regarding the way forward toward becoming an innovator. It is important to explore ways to unlock the potential for innovation to enhance quality of care and nursing interventions, always remembering that a supportive environment must be cultivated. Innovation cannot happen in isolation!