--- title: "Break the Mold: 3 Steps for Nurses To Spur Innovation" description: Nurses are in a unique position to spur disruptive innovations for the benefit of patients and healthcare. --- [![header_logo_opusvi2-01](https://opusvi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/header_logo_opusvi2-01.webp?width=200&height=53&name=header_logo_opusvi2-01.webp) ](https://opusvi.com/?hsLang=en) [![OpusVi_Logo_4C_Horizontal_Tagline_Reversed-2](https://opusvi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OpusVi_Logo_4C_Horizontal_Tagline_Reversed-2.png?width=883&height=223&name=OpusVi_Logo_4C_Horizontal_Tagline_Reversed-2.png) ](https://opusvi.com/?hsLang=en) What Sets Us Apart - [ A New Approach ](https://opusvi.com/a-new-approach?hsLang=en) - [ Relevant and Applicable Curriculum ](https://opusvi.com/relevant-and-applicable-curriculum?hsLang=en) - [ Impact Dashboard ](https://opusvi.com/impact-dashboard?hsLang=en) - [ Our Programs ](https://opusvi.com/our-programs?hsLang=en) Transformative workforce development solutions designed for the healthcare industry. 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To illustrate, Google defines innovation as a new method, idea, or product. However, this definition fails to consider two main things: 1. Innovation embraces the creative process involved more than the results obtained.  2. Innovation must provide practical value to others. Often, we equate innovation with technology. But regardless of industry, innovation is about *people*. For example, healthcare innovation focused on improving the delivery of healthcare can lead to better patient outcomes as well as a thriving workplace culture for employees.  Nurses are in a unique position to spur disruptive innovations in healthcare. As patient advocates, nurses know intricate details about their patients, quickly recognizing the need for [innovative healthcare solutions](https://opusvi.com/about-us/blog/nurse-hero-stories-an-innovative-solution-to-covid-19-testing?hsLang=en), including: - Improved communication workflows between healthcare team members - Educational campaigns to improve patient safety - Collaborative services with other departments to boost patient and caregiver satisfaction The following three steps —  discovery, organization, and collaboration — can help nurses bring disruptive healthcare innovations that will benefit their patients and healthcare as a whole. ## 1. Discovery  The start of healthcare innovation begins with a child-like mindset. Children ask many questions in an effort to understand the world around them. Consider your healthcare organization as a world in itself. Observe its workflows and ponder the reasoning behind them. You can ask yourself questions, such as: - Why are we expected to do this ? - Why is it beneficial to our patients or employees?  - Why do patients, caregivers, or employees complain about this process?  - Why do I hear "We can´t...," "We´re unable to...," or other excuses?  ![Blog_FutureofNursing_Parallax](https://opusvi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/general/Blog_FutureofNursing_Parallax.jpg?width=2000&height=1197&name=Blog_FutureofNursing_Parallax.jpg "Blog_FutureofNursing_Parallax") Avoid falling into the temptation of asking for ideas. Remember, creativity is the driving force for innovation. Creativity is spurred by curiosity, so allow your mind to run limitless with questions. Eventually, a thought or suggestion will occur to you, further lighting the road to true innovation.  Clara Barton, an American nurse who served during the Civil War, saw that Europe had its own national society dedicated to providing voluntary aid in times of crisis. Noticing that the United States lacked a similar organization, Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881. She was once quoted as saying, > “I have an almost complete disregard of precedent, and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past.” > >   Innovation is bold. It requires you to confront current limitations in your healthcare organization and see why and how they can be transformed. Once you’ve decided to break the status quo, you can see how to carry your new idea forward, so it eventually becomes true innovation.  ## 2. Organization  When planning, put yourself in your patients’ or employees’ shoes because they will be the ones impacted by the innovation. Always remember that the reason fueling your innovation must remain at the forefront of your creative process. In other words, you should be able to easily answer this question: *Why is this new workflow or product beneficial?* The road to executing your healthcare innovation may be ripe with challenges, but you can increase your chances of success by avoiding these three common pitfalls:  ### 1. Treating the innovation like all other projects  Think of the innovation as a business. It deserves its own funding, dedicated personnel, and resources to guarantee its success. Encourage other stakeholders (e.g., your directors or team members) to recognize the unique value of the innovation, so that it receives the attention it needs to thrive.  ### 2. Focusing on only money Ever walked into a store, fell in love with an item, but hurried out when you saw the price tag? This same apprehensiveness can ensue when we discover the cost to implement a new idea. However, it's essential to concentrate on the value of the project rather than the cost.  With this perspective, you and your team can focus on how to fund the innovation, including finding new ways to achieve the desired results. In times of constraints, whether in time, money, or people, a heightened level of creativity tends to occur.  ### 3. Being afraid to fail  Many innovation stories are ignited with tales of failure and eventual triumph. The underlying theme is that it’s better to fail, learn quickly from the error, and pivot in a better direction. With persistence, you’ll find effective results that last. Ensure the implementation of your innovation involves small pilot projects that will help you understand what works and what doesn’t. These small tests will allow for a smoother, larger-scale execution.   As you work to execute your idea, you’ll discover how much you need others by your side. For this reason, innovation thrives on working successfully with others.  ## 3. Collaboration Innovation often results from a multitude of different ideas that harmonize well to produce a valuable new product or workflow. Depending on the innovation, you may find yourself collaborating with people in different roles seemingly unrelated to healthcare. However, their unique skills may unlock your innovation’s highest potential. Once you have formed a team of dedicated team members, consider these tips to maximize collaboration:  - Encourage others to ask questions about existing workflows or products - Set realistic milestones to evaluate progress - Be open to change at any point of creative process Essentially, healthcare innovation is dynamic and unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to promote a culture of positivity. Your team members should feel safe to raise concerns and should be appreciated for their efforts.  ## The bottom line  In conclusion, healthcare innovation is not just about what is produced but also *who* is affected by the new idea and *why*. Additionally, it’s about how you develop, organize, and collaborate with others to execute the concept.  If you’re looking to become an innovative healthcare leader, OpusVi’s  [Certificate in Innovation in Healthcare Management](https://opusvi.com/our-programs/innovation-healthcare-management-certificate-asu-thunderbird-school-of-global-management?hsLang=en) can empower you to overcome today’s challenges in healthcare. Co-developed by Thunderbird School of Global Management, our healthcare innovation course uses real-world examples and thought leadership pieces to help professionals create and execute innovative healthcare solutions.  To learn more, reach out to us today.  [![OpusVi_Logo_4C_Horizontal_Tagline_Reversed-2](https://opusvi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OpusVi_Logo_4C_Horizontal_Tagline_Reversed-2.png?width=883&height=223&name=OpusVi_Logo_4C_Horizontal_Tagline_Reversed-2.png "OpusVi_Logo_4C_Horizontal_Tagline_Reversed-2")](https://opusvi.com/?hsLang=en) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/opusvi/) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/opusvihwd) - [**](https://www.instagram.com/opus_vi/) - [**](https://twitter.com/Opus_Vi) #### What Sets Us Apart - [A New Approach](https://opusvi.com/a-new-approach) - [Relevant and Applicable Curriculum](https://opusvi.com/relevant-and-applicable-curriculum) - [Impact Dashboard](https://opusvi.com/impact-dashboard) - [Our Programs](https://opusvi.com/our-programs) #### Who We Serve - [Nursing](https://opusvi.com/who-we-serve/nursing) - [Healthcare](https://opusvi.com/who-we-serve/healthcare) - [Senior Living](https://opusvi.com/who-we-serve/senior-living) #### Resource Hub - [Case Studies](https://opusvi.com/case-studies) - [Blog](https://opusvi.com/blog) - [News](https://opusvi.com/news) - [About Us](https://opusvi.com/about-us) - [Course Policy](https://opusvi.com/online-certificate-course-enrollment-agreement) - [Cookie Policy](https://opusvi.com/cookie-policy) - [Privacy Policy](https://opusvi.com/privacy) - [Website Terms and Conditions](https://opusvi.com/terms-and-conditions) © 2024 OpusVi. 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