Nurse Entrepreneurs Improving Healthcare
Who do you admire as a nurse entrepreneur? What has this person accomplished and how has this endeavor improved healthcare?
One of the nurse entrepreneurs I admire is Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL a pioneering figure in nursing innovation and entrepreneurship. She is the first Director of Nurse Innovation at Northeastern University. Rebecca Love was the first nurse to hold a formal academic position focused specifically on nurse-led innovation. She created programs that empowered nurses to develop and lead healthcare solutions, helping them move from bedside caregivers to system-level innovators. Order
Rebecca Love co-founded the Nurse Innovation & Entrepreneurship program. She also organized the first-ever nurse hackathon, which brought nurses together with designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs to solve real healthcare problems collaboratively. These events have grown internationally and inspired many nurse-led startups. Through SONSIEL, she champions the value of nurses in innovation, policy, and entrepreneurship. This nonprofit aims to integrate nurses more deeply into the innovation ecosystem. Love is a TEDx speaker and global advocate for elevating the voice of nurses in health systems, particularly around systemic reform and leadership in innovation.
How do you see yourself developing as an entrepreneur using evidence-based skills?
As an entrepreneur using evidence-based skills, I see myself developing by identify unmet needs through clinical evidence. Also, I would review existing interventions, pilot studies, and systematic reviews to inform the design. Additionally, I would use models like PDSA or Lean Six Sigma to test ideas in small cycles, collect data, evaluate outcomes, and refine the intervention before scaling it. Moreover, I would work with IT, finance, legal, and clinical teams to develop comprehensive solutions. I would also define metrics for success, track them rigorously, and be willing to pivot based on results.
The Unit 8 discussion has 2 topics. This week students will be completing both topics. APA