Regulation Fosters Innovations in Nursing Education

Because of the complexities in nursing and healthcare delivery and a national focus on patient safety, there has been a call across nursing organizations and healthcare organizations for more innovation in nursing and healthcare education.  The National Council of State Boards of Nursing held an invitational roundtable, involving representatives from nursing education organizations, boards of nursing, the American Nurses Association, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  Topics of discussion included the meaning and implications of innovation in nursing education, perceived barriers to innovation, and the future of innovation.  This article summarizes the outcomes of the roundtable’s discussion.