The Iowa Nurse Innovator Program within the Office of Innovation is empowering a statewide community of nurse inventors to create solutions improving patient safety, workflow efficiencies and effectiveness in hospitals across the state.
Nurses are forced to create workarounds with existing materials and personal grit to overcome issues that the healthcare industry has failed to recognize or address. They have been defining solutions to daily challenges for as long as they have been called nurses, but rarely do they get credit or receive agency to explore scalable solutions that could be commercialized. The Office of Innovation set out to change this.
The Iowa Nurse Innovator Program provides nurses with guidance, tools, motivation, support, and access to resources to translate ideas for new devices or practices from concepts into tangible products.
Revolutionizing Healthcare: Three Case Studies on Nursing Innovation
Program Details
What roles can participate in the program?
What roles can participate in the program?
- The Nurse Innovators program is open to a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles, including nurses, nursing assistants, physical/occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, spiritual services (chaplains), nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists.
- Most importantly, the intent of the program is to foster solutions to challenges faced in clinical settings to improve patient care and staff experiences. If you have an idea, feel welcome to share it with us! If this program is not the right fit, we can help explore other avenues with you.
Are there geographic restrictions?
Are there geographic restrictions?
- The program is open for any nurse across the state of Iowa. This program is intended to provide support and assistance to nurses working across Iowa.
I want to bring the Nurse Innovators program to my hospital. What should I do?
I want to bring the Nurse Innovators program to my hospital. What should I do?
- We welcome the chance to explore this opportunity with you! There are various ways to structure an arrangement – from engagement with a single individual to a more extensive institutional partnership.
- Fill out the contact form below to start a conversation.
What are the benefits to staff?
What are the benefits to staff?
- Participants in the program are able to explore their creative and innovative side while addressing real needs they see in the workplace. Some ideas may become viable products!
What is Nurse Innovators? What can I expect?
What is Nurse Innovators? What can I expect?
- The Nurse Innovators program works with you to help build a prototype of the solution to the challenge motivating you.
- Once you reach out to us, a representative will connect with you to have a conversation about your idea.
- After conversation, our team will prepare a specific “kit” of materials tailored to the nature of your idea. That kit will be mailed to you.
- Periodically, you will have scheduled “check-ins” with our team to review your progress and provide technical assistance.
- Prototypes are eligible for additional funding distributed through ‘pitch competitions’ held annually.
- Prototypes are encouraged to connect with the Protostudios service at the University of Iowa for assistance to further develop and refine the initial prototypes.