# Development and evaluation of an individual innovation model for nursing students: a mixed-method study

## TL;DR

This study created and tested a model to help nursing students develop innovation skills, aiming to improve clinical care quality.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is a validated individual innovation model for nursing students with practical implications for educators.

## Key findings

- The initial model had 44 items grouped into three categories, which were reduced to 27 after validation.
- Individual innovation is influenced by personal, professional, and organizational factors.
- The model was validated using the Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process.

## Abstract

Innovation is a necessary competence in nursing students and exploration of this concept in the context of nursing students is crucial. One of the robust approaches to exploring concepts is model development. So, the aim of this study was development and evaluation of an individual innovation model for nursing students, in order to provide educators with a practical framework for foster innovative skills of nursing students, ultimately improving quality of care in clinical settings.

This Sequential exploratory mixed-method study was conducted in a nursing school located in the south of Iran in two phases: (1) exploring the concept of individual innovation and its dimensions and (2) psychometric evaluation of the model. In the first phase, the researchers conducted a qualitative research based on content analysis, a scoping review, and model development. In the second phase of the study, the model was evaluated using the Delphi method and the model items were prioritized and weighted using the analytic hierarchy process.

Based on the findings from the first phase of the study, the components of the initial version of nursing students’ individual innovation model consisted of 44 items which fell into three categories: dynamism and comprehensive reform, professional innovation, and alignment of innovation drivers. After being analyzed and revised in the stage of validation, the items decreased to 27.

Individual innovation is a developing, systematic, and multi-faceted phenomenon influenced by a variety of personal, professional, and organizational factors. Management of the influential factors in individual innovation by managers and development of effective interventions in this area can help promote individual innovation among nursing students.

not applicable.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-08508-6.