Nurse innovators are going mainstream

Long recognized as the face of caregiving, nurses are now being acknowledged for their problem-solving acumen and value in the world of healthcare innovation. From coming up with patient care solutions on the fly, to serving on the hospital C-Suite in CNIO roles, to driving product strategy at health technology companies, the time for nurses to shine has come.  

Why nurses make great innovators

Nurses are in a unique position to drive healthcare innovation. They are trained to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care outcomes, which closely aligns with the design thinking process. As frontline healthcare workers, nurses interact closely with patients, which positions them as some of the most well-versed hospital staff on patient needs and care delivery challenges. Working in diverse environments, from hospitals to community health centers, gives nurses a broad perspective on healthcare delivery and the ability to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, nurses also have a strong foundation in science and research, which provides the skills needed to imagine, trial, and implement evidence-based solutions.

Nurse innovation = creative problem solving

Nurses often encounter issues with patient care processes, workflows, and medical devices, making them well-suited to develop practical solutions. I asked a few of the nurses I know for examples of creative problem solving in the workplace. I received a flood of messages back describing hacks, workarounds, and inventions. A pediatric ICU nurse shared that she’s used an oxygen mask with O2 flowing on infant bottoms to soothe diaper rash. A cardiac nurse shared that she’s seen blankets taped to bed rails for seizure-risk patients to avoid tangling or suffocation, and that her team created a beverage lovingly called the Brown Cow, which is a mix of coffee, chocolate milk, and prune juice, to encourage a bowel movement for adults on inpatient care. I heard multiple mentions of ways that cardboard boxes are used – over wounds to allow airflow without skin contact, as footstools for congestive heart failure patients receiving home health care, and positioning in procedure rooms. I was also told there was nothing they couldn’t fix with a roll of tape, some gloves, and bandages. Nurses are the ultimate problem solvers. 

Nurse innovators in healthcare delivery

Chief Innovation Officers have been heralded as the cool kids in healthcare administration for the past decade. Becker’s Hospital Review kicked off 2025 by publishing a list of “36 chief innovation officers you should know.” I noticed that the majority of the people listed came with an MD, PhD or business related degree (MHA, MBA). There was one nurse included on the list, Brian Weirich, Chief Nurse Innovation Officer at Bon Secours Mercy Health. But Brian isn’t alone – hospitals are adding Chief Nurse Innovation Officers to their C-Suite. 

I spoke with Ryan Shaw, PhD, RN, FAAN, a longtime nursing informatics faculty member and researcher at Duke University School of Nursing, who was selected as the first Chief Nurse Innovation Officer at Duke University Health System at the end of 2024. When asked about his new job, Dr. Shaw shared, “The role of the Chief Nurse Innovation Officer is relatively new and is a sign that nurses are being recognized for their value and that structures are being designed to empower nurses to thrive as change makers. The collaborative nature of nursing, involving teamwork with other healthcare professionals, patients, and families, fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. These factors, combined with their dedication to patient care, make nurses important contributors to healthcare innovation.” Cheers to that!

Nurse innovators in health tech

Health technology companies are also recognizing the value that nurses bring to product. In 2024, Rich Kenny, MMCi, RN joined Veritas Labs as their Chief Clinical Officer. Rich’s experience in patient care – including serving as a LifeFlight nurse, and in emergency medicine and home health care– combined with a master’s degree in clinical informatics and roles at PWC, SAS, and health IT organizations – made him an attractive candidate for the leadership role. In addition to helping Veritas Labs succeed, Rich is passionate about activating other nurses to contribute to innovation and technology projects. He is involved in the AONL Leading Innovation Technology Transformation Committee (LITT), where he educates nurses on the ways that health technology is transforming healthcare delivery and how they can effectively contribute in their own work environments and the broader ecosystem. 

I met Kathleen McGrow, DNP, MS, RN, FAAN, the Global Chief Nursing Information Officer at Microsoft, at a conference in December and was inspired by her “nurses get things done” attitude. At Microsoft, she works closely with top executives and stakeholders within healthcare organizations to drive digital transformation initiatives. By providing strategic guidance and leveraging her industry expertise, she ensures the successful implementation of innovative technology solutions. Kathleen is recognized globally for her insightful analysis of industry trends and identification of growth opportunities.  

I asked Kathleen where she saw the future of healthcare and she shared, “Healthcare innovations will be driven by the convergence of cutting-edge technology and the invaluable insights of nurses. Nurses will be central to this transformation, leveraging their unique expertise and patient-centered approach to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for all.”

Katie D. McMillan, MPH is the CEO of Well Made Health, LLC, a business strategy consulting firm for health technology companies. She is also a curious researcher and writer focusing on digital health evidence, healthcare innovation, and women’s health. Katie can be reached at katie@wellmadehealth.com or LinkedIn.