Advocating for Early-Career Nurse Innovators: Modeling the Institute of Medicine Report.

The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health was published by the of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies in 2011. The Missouri Nurses Foundation and Missouri nurses modeled a sustainable project, the Early Career Nurse Innovator Project, exemplifying the intent of that report. The Missouri Nurses Foundation Executive Board comprises experienced nurses, nurse educators, nurses in other leadership roles, retired nurses, public members of the board, and administrative support staff. This article describes a project that was developed, implemented, and evaluated to recognize and encourage early-career nurses who have designed and led innovations to improve and promote the health of Missourians. Five of these early-career nurses were the recipients of monetary awards to encourage future innovations; the second recognition cycle is in the planning phase. Through the work of the Missouri Nurses Foundation, the scholarship of bedside nurses was recognized.