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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups
Published on: May 13, 2022
A summative content analysis of innovation in the AACN essentials informed by Pillay's innovation competencies
Susan O'Hara1, Taura Barr2, Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk3
1NBBJ Architects, 250 S High St. #300, Columbus, OH, 43215, USA.
Background:
Innovation is increasingly important to healthcare transformation. Examining where innovation competencies are embedded within the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education and where gaps exist is important for strengthening nursing education.
Purpose:
This project examined the frequency, context, and meaning of the words "innovation," "innovate," and "innovative" in the AACN Essentials and compared the document with Pillay's Innovation Competencies to identify opportunities for strengthening innovation in nursing education.
Methods:
The authors conducted a summative content analysis of The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education to examine the frequency, context, and distribution of innovation-related terms and to compare those findings with Pillay's 19 innovation competencies.
Results:
Innovation-related terminology appeared across 5 of the 10 AACN domains, with additional innovation concepts identified through proxy terms and comparison with Pillay's framework, suggesting uneven integration of innovation competencies across the Essentials.
Conclusions:
More explicit integration of innovation competencies across nursing curricula may strengthen nurses' preparation to respond to complex and evolving healthcare challenges.
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