Partnering With Johnson & Johnson to Offer Innovation Fellowship & Leadership Training for Nurses

The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)® has partnered with Johnson & Johnson to launch the Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship. This unique 2-year leadership training program for nurses aims to strengthen their leadership and entrepreneurial skills to amplify and integrate nurse-led innovation in health and healthcare.

CCL is one of 2 partners chosen by Johnson & Johnson to develop and evolve the Fellowship, which targets nurses who are committed to transforming health and healthcare. Chosen for its broad experience delivering executive education, including through the national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows program, CCL has developed the curricula for the Johnson & Johnson Fellowship. Nurse Approved, a Boston-based organization that educates and provides opportunities for nurses to launch innovative ideas, has partnered in selecting the cohort for the program and in contributing to the curricula.

“CCL has a special focus on developing leaders in the health and healthcare field, so it is a tremendous privilege to partner with Johnson & Johnson on this groundbreaking initiative,” says CCL President and CEO John R. Ryan. “We look forward to this journey and its great potential for driving innovation in the field of nursing.”

The first cohort of Fellows consisted of 12 nurse leaders from across the country, who began the program in October 2019. The program included a combination of in-person and virtual learning, along with mentorship and coaching, with each Fellow concurrently working on individual innovation action learning projects.

“It’s been amazing and inspiring to witness the personal and professional growth of our Fellows over the last 1.5 years. Despite unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, each one found ways to push themselves into sometimes uncomfortable and unfamiliar territory to lead and persevere in continuing to drive their innovation projects forward,” said Lynda Benton, Senior Director of Global Corporate Equity at Johnson & Johnson.

The fellows have used the opportunity to improve the patient experience, break down barriers in care, and transform mental health care access, among other innovations.

Explore a news highlight from Johnson & Johnson for an update on the first cohort of the Nurse Innovation Fellowship and the progress of their individual innovation projects.