Results from phase 1 and phase 2 of this study demonstrate
that innovativeness in nursing is a multifaceted
phenomenon consisting of workplace antecedents
followed by a social process. Results show that there
is synergy and multiple systems interacting to influence
the mission of the organization. The 3 key
concepts that resonated from this study include relationships,
leadership style, and context. Relationships
are the attractor pattern among nurses and nurse
leaders that create a climate and culture for innovativeness.
All persons are engaged in mutual causality
to achieve the organizationalmission, and each person
realizes the impact of other team members in the
achievement of the mission, thus engaging in relationships
based on trust and respect. Innovativeness in this
particular hospital setting unfolded as a system of
interactions where feedback from workers toward
each other contributed to the nursing department
mission of innovation for quality patient care. Findings
illustrate that leadership was constructed through
interactions of nurse toward nurse and nurse toward
nurse leader. These exchanges demonstrate that these
nurses and nurse leaders were engaged in shared work
to create meaning, direction, and commitment for
adaptive challenges, thereby engaging in a relational
style of leadership.22
Context is extremely important in initiating and
sustaining an environment where people are free to
inquire on behalf of their organization to achieve its
mission. The IOMsuggested that organizations should
engage nurses to work with developers and manufacturers
in the design, development, purchase, implementation,
and evaluation of medical and healthcare
devices.2 Activities can be fostered through unit-level
climate or day-to-day activities, more so than at a
prescheduled session. Thus, a climate where workers
have similar organizational values, engage in workplace
relationships, identify with the organization,
and perceive organizational support and where there
is a use of relational leadership will create a culture
for innovativeness. Innovation does not occur in
isolation but it is an art and science sustained through
an organizational climate and culture. Because this
study was done in 1 hospital, the ability to generalize
is limited. However, the findings are important and
nurse leaders may use results to assess their organizational
readiness because this study was completed