Innovation in nursing

Nurses are motivated to engage in innovative practices primarily because they seek to improve patient experiences, health outcomes and nursing practice.

In nursing we see evidence of product innovations and we see evidence of process innovations.

In order to gain support for the development and sustainability of nurse-led innovation, nurses not only have to demonstrate that their innovations are acceptable to patients and clinically effective; they increasingly have to also demonstrate that their innovations use limited healthcare resources wisely. That is why we are working in partnership with the Office for Public Management to build nursing capability in economic assessment.

As part of the RCN's knowledge and innovation action plan, we are aiming to develop a community of nurse innovators, practitioners and researchers interested in developing and enhancing nurse-led innovation in practice.

 ...the intentional introduction and application within a role, group or organization of ideas, processes, products or procedures, new to the relevant unit of adoption, designed to significantly benefit the individual, the group, the organization or wider society

West and Farr, 1990
Innovation and Creativity at work

Many organisations showcase health innovations which have led to improvements in patient safety, quality and outcomes and efficiency

In England, Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) have a remit to align education, clinical research, informatics, innovation and health care delivery in support of economic growth. There are 15 AHSNs across England, and many of them have developed innovation exchanges, a mechanism for showcasing health innovations.

The NHS England Innovation Exchange is a one-stop shop for those interested in NHS healthcare innovations. Find out about their innovation programmes and browse through over 300 innovation case studies.