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Reflection on Learning
Emily A. McNay
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Arizona State University
NUR 444: Innovation in Nursing
Professor Francis
July 4, 2021
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Reflection on Learning
Innovation in nursing was a new concept prior to beginning this course. I was unclear
about the ways nurses can partake in innovation and the value they bring. Solving the complex
problems within healthcare today requires critical thinkers with real-world experience.
Healthcare has been slow to adopt innovation, but I believe by informing others and advocating
for nurse participation in innovation, healthcare will advance rapidly with nurses finding
positions beyond the bedside.
Learning Outcomes
The article by Weberg (2009) set the foundation for understanding innovation and how it
creates lasting effects from economic and social standpoints in healthcare. This was the first step
in achieving a basic definition and principles of innovation. A reoccurring theme throughout the
course was the relationship of innovation and leadership. Leadership is important when adopting
and maintaining change. It was identified by Choudhary (2014) as one of the four critical traits
of innovative organizations. Risk taking and disruptive environment were also identified to
promote innovation throughout the course. Leaders also partake in “considered risk-taking”
discussed by Crenshaw and Yoder-Wise (2013) through creating a safe space for employees to
employ think-time and mindfulness to promote innovation in a nonpunitive environment.
I identified that individuals who feel more in control of change and feel social
responsibility for change are more likely to support and carry out change efforts. This supports a
bottom-up approach and the disbursement of responsibility. Nursing informatics is an additional
component to nurse innovation as it integrates information, computer, and nursing science. It is
necessary to innovation because it discover problems using data then help nurses develop
solution using today’s technologies such as applications or new computer software systems. The
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world is becoming increasingly digital, and nurses need to stay up to date on technologies.
Critical thinking is taking us to new solutions to solve the complex problems of today’s
healthcare. It’s time for innovation to be embraced by nurses as we play a large role in patient
care and see firsthand where problems lie.
Perspective on Innovation
This course has allowed me to become more open to innovation and understanding of the
importance to embrace change. There are many characteristics and traits similar to nursing that
transfer into successful innovation such as empathy, leadership, and advocacy. Nurses have the
ability to act as change agents and I now feel more confident in my abilities to initiate and
promote innovation. Prior to this course I did not understand the application of innovation to
nursing and believed innovation was reserved for engineers and those involved in the technology
industries.
Application to Practice
In my future practice of nursing, I intend to develop my innovative leadership
competencies, embrace change, and seek a culture that promotes innovation. Creating a no-
blame environment and pursuing disruptive change as a leader are ways that I will transform
patient care and seek better outcomes. I will also apply divergent and design thinking to
everyday healthcare problems to seek new solutions.
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References
Choudhary, A. (2014). Four critical traits of innovative organizations. Journal of Organizational
Culture, Communications and Conflict, 18(2), 45–58. Retrieved from
[Link]
Crenshaw, J. & Yoder-Wise, P. (2013). Creating an environment for innovation: the risk-taking
leadership competency. Nurse Leader, 11(1), 24-27.
[Link]
Weberg, D. (2009). Innovation in healthcare: A concept analysis. Nursing Administration
Quarterly, 33 (3), 227–237. [Link]