Nurses are on the front lines of care and are acutely aware of the needs of their patients and their families. With their “ears” and “eyes” on the intricacies of our healthcare system, they are uniquely positioned to provide valuable insight in advancing patient safety and quality of care.

Over the past year, the Pennsylvania Action Coalition (PA-AC) has been designing a forum where nurses can bring to life their ideas for transforming healthcare and form interdisciplinary partnerships. Through leadership and interprofessional collaboration, Pennsylvania’s nurses can revolutionize health care by providing a well-rounded approach to improving quality of life.

On February 6, 2017 the PA-AC officially launched the Nursing Innovation Video Contest and inaugural Nursing Innovation Corps. The PA-AC’s “Practice Innovation Team”—comprising stakeholders from Masimo, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, AARP, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, and the Convenient Care Association—represents a diverse array of healthcare professionals and partners.

Nurse-led interprofessional teams will be submitting short video clips (60-90 seconds) that highlight their ideas to improve healthcare for the elderly­, which is the theme of this year’s competition. Finalists from the Nursing Innovation Video Contest will join the inaugural cohort of the Nursing Innovation Corps, a rewarding mentoring and networking program.

In addition to a $500 award, members of the Nursing Innovation Corps will have the opportunity to build their innovation with guidance from key stakeholders and access to funding opportunities. They will also take part in cross-sector networking and shared learning, and gain recognition through social media and other relevant outlets.

The PA-AC is looking forward to showcasing the ingenuity of nurses throughout PA. They are thrilled to be amplifying the voice of nurses within the healthcare innovations and entrepreneurial space. They are encouraging wide dissemination of this project to transform patient care from rural communities to the urban hubs of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Spread the word to your creative colleagues and friends in Pennsylvania! Submissions will be accepted until Friday, March 31^st.

Join the movement on Facebook and Twitter (#NurseInnovators and #NursingInnovationCorps) and share your stories of nurses driving healthcare change.