An Innovation Initiative for Nurses and Midwives
Are you a nurse or midwife who would like get involved in exploring innovative solutions in healthcare? Do you have an idea you want to develop?
Florence Nightingale Foundation’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Subject Expert Group (SEG) is offering nurses and midwives a dynamic platform to explore innovative solutions in healthcare. This ‘Good Ideas Lab’ will encourages entrepreneurial thinking, foster collaboration, and provide access to further resources.
We are building on our 2023/24 ‘Hackathon’ events to create a new offering for nurses and midwives working at FNF Academy Member organisations or who are part of our Alumni.
Participants will develop and pitch their ideas, enhancing their skills and potentially launching impactful healthcare innovations that improve patient care and streamline practices.
The ‘Good Ideas Lab’ will foster impactful healthcare innovations that improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Sustainability is ensured through continued skills development, stakeholder and peer networking opportunities, and leadership development.
Projects will be designed for scalability and long-term integration into healthcare systems, empowering nurses and midwives to maintain and advance innovative practices, ensuring lasting benefits.
Read on for more details on FNF’s ‘Good Ideas Lab’ and on how to apply. All bands welcome to apply and you do not have to have lots (or any!) experience as an ‘Innovator’.
Read Paul’s full blog, ‘Innovation: It Requires Ideas and Ideas Need a Place to Grow’, here.
“One of the most exciting initiatives I’m involved in is the FNF ‘Good Ideas Lab’. This event offers a unique opportunity for nurses and midwives to have their voices heard, hone their ideas, and receive support and critique. Healthcare innovations cannot thrive when they remain in your head; they need collaboration and expertise from others to flourish. If you have an idea, applying for the’ Good Ideas Lab’ could be your next step.”
Paul Regan, Team Leader and Mental Health Nurse with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Member of FNFs SEG on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Good Ideas Lab: Outline
- Two face-to-face meetings: 15 October & 23 April. (Thanks to Cap Gemini Invent for providing the room and catering for these events.)
- Skills development session (virtual): July 2025
- Peer support
- Access to Subject Matter Experts
- Certificate & CPD
- Ticket to Westminster Abbey Commemoration Event: April 2025
- Sharing and Inspiring the next cohort: invite to the launch of the next ‘Good Ideas Lab’ in October 2025 (Optional)
Good Ideas Lab: Timeline
Applications Open
Apply now
Pre-application Masterclass and myth busting/support webinar
6-7pm (recording will be available afterwards via the Member and Alumni portals).
Applications Close
Midday
Applicants Informed of Outcome
By email
Face to face event in London (all day)
Hosted by Capgemini Invent
Follow-up face-to-face event in London (all day)
Hosted by Capgemini Invent
Westminster Abbey Commemoration Service
London
Skills Development Session
Virtual
Sharing and Inspiring the launch of the next Good Ideas Lab
Optional
Good Ideas Lab: Masterclass
Watch the recording to find out more
Available via the Member and Alumni portals. Get in touch with [email protected] if you need a password reminder.
Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply
To apply for FNF’s ‘Good Ideas Lab’ you must fulfil all of the following three criteria:
- Be a registered nurse or midwife with the NMC or a student nurse or midwife.
- Be employed/studying at an FNF Academy Member Organisation or be an FNF Alumni*.
- Have the support of your line manager or university.
All bands welcome to apply and you do not have to have lots (or any!) experience as an ‘Innovator’. Please complete the application form here by midday on 2 September.
If you have any questions about applying for this programme, please email [email protected]
*Alumni refers to anyone who has completed an FNF leadership programme. It also includes AHPs who have completed a programme.
“What was the original FNF Health Hackathon? Well, for me it was a great opportunity to meet like-minded people who wanted to improve patient care and outcomes. Often in practice many nurses and midwives care and have great ideas but so often we have little time to sit, discuss and act. The Hackathon enabled me to bring ideas, space to think and share and importantly collaborate with colleagues in innovative and exciting ways. Frequently as nurses and midwives we forget we are innovators and change agents.
One of the many strengths of the Hackathon was the ability to meet a diverse group of individuals, from nursing colleagues to designers, entrepreneurs, engineers and subject matter experts from outside of the NHS. This opportunity to generate new networks, share experiences and develop new knowledge was unmissable. The chance to meet people from across the UK only enhanced and created a sense of excitement.
Often, as nurses and midwives, being given permission to be innovative and creative isn’t always easy. Having the opportunity to support others and being supported myself was inspiring and showed what can be achieved when people work together. Being part of a culture which actively promotes the sharing of ideas, seeks to promote inclusivity and looks at the longer game was truly inspiring. This is an opportunity not to be missed.”
Beth Kruger, Senior Improvement Manager, Learning Disability Improvement Cymru, NHS Wales Executive