Nurse Innovators Gather to Drive Change

“Everybody knows that nurses are the center of health care and that if anything is going to happen and be sustainable, it’s going to be driven by nurses.”
–Former American Nurses Foundation Board President Tim Porter O’Grady

The American Nurses Foundation’s Reimagining Nursing Initiative is more than just a set of grants to improve nursing. The Foundation is building a community of nurse innovators who learn from each other, share ideas, and collaborate on solutions that transform the nursing profession.

In August, this community of nurse innovators met for the Initiative’s inaugural convening. The grantees spent two days identifying ways to collaborate, highlighting key challenges they face as they drive their projects forward, and thinking more deeply about the way equity shows up in their work.

By testing new ideas and solutions, these nurse innovators are making it possible for their projects to be adapted into the everyday practice of nursing—with the goal of helping people live longer and healthier lives.

Check out the photos and captions below to learn more about the convening.

All photos: Kevin Parisi for American Nurses Foundation

This incredible group of nurse innovators smile (behind masks) for a photo.

“Nurses learn from each other. It’s in our very nature to teach and continuously learn together,” Foundation Board Member Ruth Williams-Brinkley said as she welcomed grantees to the inaugural convening via video. “Those in this room share a common vision: to transform healthcare by reimagining the nursing profession.” William-Brinkley also represents the RN Initiative’s lead funder Kaiser Permanente National Community Benefits Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation.

Grantees engaged in lively discussions—together and in smaller breakout groups focusing on each of the Initiative’s focus areas.

“The thing that gets me most excited about the RN Initiative is the recognition nurses across the country are getting for their innovative ideas,” Foundation Board President Kathy Driscoll said in our video booth set up to capture participants’ perspectives during the convening.

Interested in hearing how this dynamic group of nurse innovators is transforming health care? Sign up for the RN Initiative email list to receive RN Initiative updates.