Creative Thinking in Nursing:

This 1-hour online continuing education activity introduces nurses to the role of creativity and innovation in clinical practice and self-care. Through research-backed content, reflection exercises, and practical examples, nurses will explore how creative thinking supports adaptability, stress management, and professional growth. The session emphasizes mindset-building as a foundation for sustaining both well-being and innovation in the workplace.

Creativity in nursing isn’t about painting or poetry-it’s a mindset. Nurses improvise, adapt, and connect daily, turning uncertainty into care. This lesson reframes creativity as a science-backed tool for resilience and stress regulation, showing how everyday problem-solving and small, mindful practices can renew purpose, support well-being, and strengthen innovation. You’ll begin to see your own resourcefulness as creativity in action-and as care for yourself and your patients.

Nurses are natural innovators, solving problems under pressure and spotting gaps others miss. This lesson explores how creative thinking drives innovation in healthcare and beyond, and why nurses’ empathy, resilience, and problem-solving make them exceptional change-makers. You’ll see real nurse-led ventures, discover resources like the National Nurses in Business Association, and learn that innovation starts with imagination and small, courageous shifts.

Starting isn’t about projects or perfection-it’s about seeing yourself as someone allowed to think creatively and take up space. This lesson invites you to notice everyday creativity, challenge doubts like “I’m not creative,” and embrace small, intentional acts that build flexibility and empathy. Backed by research and real-world examples, you’ll see how nurturing creativity-even for a few minutes-can reduce stress, spark innovation, and expand compassion in both nursing and life.

Feeling blocked or too drained to be creative? You’re not alone-and it’s not a personal failing. In this lesson, we name the real barriers nurses face-burnout, perfectionism, caregiving, and survival mode-and reframe them with compassion. You’ll uncover common myths about creativity, learn why even small creative acts protect your well-being, and explore simple ways to reclaim space for curiosity and self-expression-no studio, special supplies, or extra hours required.

When you feel stuck or overwhelmed, divergent thinking can shift you from “there’s no way out” to “what could go right?” This lesson explores how generating multiple possibilities-without judgment-interrupts negative loops, engages your brain’s creative networks, and fuels resilience. You’ll see how nurses already use divergent thinking daily, learn simple ways to invite more mental flexibility, and reflect on questions that open space for hope, curiosity, and new options in work and life.

In our final lesson, we shift from understanding creativity to living it. You’ll learn simple, low-pressure ways to build a sustainable creative practice-one that fits your life, supports your nervous system, and renews your sense of purpose. From journaling and doodling to photography, music, or small visual cues, discover how even brief creative moments can regulate stress, spark imagination, and reconnect you with presence, resilience, and joy-no “artist” label required.