Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies

Planting Seeds of Innovation: A Quality Improvement Project to Advance Nursing Innovation

Oriana Beaudet

American Nurses Association

Keywords: nursing, innovation, design thinking, partnership, interprofessional, cultural transformation theory, domination, health-care culture, health-care innovation, nursing leadership

Abstract

Background: Emerging needs of the 21st century, such as workforce shortages, increasing supply costs, and rising complexity related to chronic disease management, equitable care, and declining health outcomes have made it imperative for the health-care industry to form new business, operational, and care models. Many nurses struggle to see themselves as innovators or to find their professional skill sets being used to change the current health-care paradigm. The nursing profession can address the complexity within health care through innovative leadership across the continuum of care.

Method: The Planting Seeds of Innovation (PSI) model was created in 2015, by a Doctor of Nursing Practice student working in partnership with a School of Nursing and an academic health center located in the United States. The goal of the PSI model was to empower nurses to lead, develop, adopt innovation, and design principles as a part of their daily practice. A day-long PSI workshop introduced innovation and design principles to practicing hospital nurses with the intent of helping them to learn how to embed innovation into their practice so they can lead new solutions for health care. Evaluation of the PSI event used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. In-depth interviews were conducted before and after the event to determine baseline knowledge of innovation and the impact of the PSI event on their awareness and application of innovation principles. Before the PSI event, interview questions invited all participants to share their perceptions, experiences, learning needs, and expectations. After the event participants were asked to assess creativity, design, and innovation at the personal, team, leadership, and organizational levels. They were also asked to evaluate their organization’s culture and observed partnership behaviors.

Results: Participants reported feeling empowered when they were given the skills necessary to create intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial solutions. The design of the PSI event which emphasized partnership-based health care and the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork improved participant learning. The event shifted how participants felt about their personal ability to lead change and impact the future of professional nursing practice.

Discussion: At every level, health care needs to actualize the potential and ingenuity of every team member. Innovation and interprofessional partnerships are necessary components of nursing education and practice in this new era. Nurses are in an ideal position to design and innovate models of care to transform health care.