In today's dynamic healthcare environment, nurses are increasingly called to lead innovation, drive systemic change, and create scalable solutions that improve patient outcomes. Duke University School of Nursing—ranked #2 nationally for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs by U.S. News & World Report—is answering that call with its transformative DNP Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur (NIE) specialty.

"The NIE specialty equips DNP students with the mindset, tools, and support to lead innovation and create scalable solutions in healthcare," says Dr. Iris Padilla, NIE Specialty Director and Chief Nurse Strategic Business Operations Officer, Duke University Health System.

This future-focused program is designed for nurses who want to turn visionary ideas into real-world impact—whether by launching a new venture, developing a product, or transforming a care delivery model.

What Is a Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur?

Nurse Innovators and Entrepreneurs are trailblazing healthcare professionals who merge advanced clinical expertise with strategic vision, business acumen, and a drive to solve the healthcare industry's most pressing challenges. They identify unmet needs, design transformative solutions, and lead change across clinical, community, and digital health landscapes.

"Our goal is to empower DNP students to lead innovative initiatives, translate ideas into practice, and develop sustainable solutions that improve healthcare delivery," says Dr. Ryan Shaw, Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing and Chief Nurse Innovation Officer for Duke University Health System.

At Duke, NIE students build a competitive edge through immersive learning in design thinking, value proposition development, cost analysis, financial planning, and stakeholder engagement—all delivered through a nursing lens. Students complete the specialty prepared not only to innovate but to influence, creating measurable impact from the bedside to the boardroom.

What Does a Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur Do?

Nurse entrepreneurs and innovators work at the intersection of healthcare and innovation. They:

• Launch startups and ventures that address critical health challenges
• Develop new products, technologies, or care models
• Lead intrapreneurial initiatives within hospitals, clinics, and health systems
• Collaborate across disciplines to drive digital transformation in healthcare
• Advocate for policy changes and system-level improvements

"Students immerse themselves in dynamic, entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial learning experiences, harnessing their leadership skills to design and drive innovation that delivers measurable impact" says Padilla.

Completing the Duke School of Nursing's NIE certificate empowers nurses to think boldly, lead with vision, and drive meaningful change in healthcare delivery, technology, policy, and entrepreneurial ventures.

How to Become a Nurse Entrepreneur and Innovator Practitioner

To become a nurse entrepreneur and innovator through Duke's DNP NIE specialty, follow these steps:

1. Earn your Registered Nurse (RN) license, by completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or by completing Duke's Master of Nursing.
2. Gain clinical experience to build a strong foundation in patient care and healthcare systems.
3. Apply to Duke's DNP program and select the Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur specialty.
4. Complete advanced coursework in innovation, business strategy, design thinking, and healthcare systems leadership.
5. Engage in real-world projects that allow you to apply entrepreneurial skills in clinical, community, and digital health contexts.
6. Graduate with a DNP degree, prepared to lead innovation, launch ventures, and transform healthcare delivery.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur?

Duke's DNP NIE specialty is designed to be completed in two to three years for those who do not have a DNP and two semesters for those who do have a DNP degree, depending on the student's prior education and clinical experience. The program includes:

• Core DNP coursework
• Specialty-specific courses in innovation and entrepreneurship
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty from nursing, business, engineering, and medicine
• Real-world project-based learning and mentorship

Students may also pursue post-graduate certificates if they already hold a DNP or MSN in another specialty.

Where Can DNP NIEs Work?

Graduates of Duke's NIE specialty are equipped to work in a wide range of settings, including:

• Healthcare startups and innovation hubs
• Hospitals and health systems leading intrapreneurial initiatives
• Digital health companies developing patient-centered technologies
• Academic institutions focused on research and innovation
• Public health organizations driving systemic change
• Policy and advocacy groups shaping the future of healthcare

"NIE students will graduate as alumni to a growing network of industry partners, alumni entrepreneurs, and interdisciplinary collaborators across Duke University and Duke Health" says Padilla.

Ready to Lead in Innovation and Entrepreneurship? Start With Duke's NIE Specialty.

If you're a nurse ready to lead boldly, disrupt the status quo, and create meaningful change, Duke's DNP Nurse Innovator and Entrepreneur specialty offers the ideal platform. With a curriculum grounded in real-world application, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entrepreneurial leadership, this program prepares you to transform ideas into impact.

"Aspiring nurse leaders and healthcare entrepreneurs should consider enrolling in Duke's NIE specialty because it offers a transformative, future-focused education," says Shaw.

Apply today or request information and become part of a movement that's redefining the role of nurses in healthcare innovation.