Abstract

Canada's first nurse practitioner–led clinic opened in 2007 after a period of intense lobbying. The development of this clinic has received a great deal of attention in the nursing world and among the general public, but the factors that enabled it have not been examined. The antecedents outlined in healthcare innovation concept analysis – including leadership, financial considerations, idea generation, teamwork, culture and demand – provide a framework for examination of the campaign for the nurse practitioner–led clinic. This review demonstrates the complex interplay of factors that drive healthcare innovation and expands understanding of the leadership and change competencies of the advanced practice nurse.