Nurse Inventor Spotlight Series: Shawna Jones, BSN, RN, CMSRN

The Nurse Inventor Spotlight series features Cleveland Clinic nurses who have embarked on the innovation journey. Here, they share what they find inspiring about their role, how they identified an unmet need, what innovation means to them and how their solution could affect both patients and caregivers.

This installment features Shawna Jones, BSN, RN, CMSRN, who has developed a device aimed at meeting the toileting needs of male patients. In the following interview, she describes how her collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Innovations has helped bring her invention to life.

Jones began her nursing career five years ago at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where she works in an observation unit.

Q: What do you find most inspiring about nursing?

A: I am passionate about providing care and support to others and am dedicated to continuous learning. I especially enjoy helping patients understand their diagnoses and medications.

Q: What does “innovation” mean to you?

A: Overall, I believe that innovation is a powerful tool for addressing and alleviating existing problems for the benefit of others. It's exciting to be part of this process and to have the chance to help find solutions.

Q: What initially prompted your innovation journey?

A: I've always been interested in this kind of work. When I was in nursing school, I would hear about small inventions that people were developing, and I always thought it would be amazing to find new ways to help both caregivers and patients. What set my journey in motion was the Professional Ladder, a career advancement program within the Nursing Institute, which requires applicants to share at least one innovative idea.

I submitted an idea related to managing a patient with mobility challenges who was at high risk for falls. It was safest for the patient to use a handheld urinal to address his toileting needs, but he was reluctant due to discomfort. That’s when I realized the handheld urinal was not meeting some patients’ needs and came up with an idea that I thought might help.

Ultimately, I was able to develop a simple prototype of a device that I've been using with many of my patients. To date, it has been well received by both patients and caregivers.

Q: Can you describe your experience working with Cleveland Clinic's Innovations team?

A: After submitting my idea through the Step Forward portal, I worked with Karen Schaedlich, MSN, RN, innovation coordinator for the Office of Nursing Research and Innovation. Karen has been an amazing mentor, guiding and supporting me every step of the way. Nancy Albert, PhD, CCNS, CHFN, CCRN, NE-BC, FAHA, FCCM, FHFSA, FAAN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Office of Nursing Research and Innovation, also showed tremendous faith in me and my idea. Their encouragement gave me the energy to persevere, especially during moments when I felt that others may not completely grasp the significance of the invention.

During the review process, it was determined that more research would be needed to better understand how my innovation could provide value beyond the standard urinals currently in use.

I was then connected with Lorraine Novosel, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, AGPCNP-BC, NEA-BC, a nurse scientist in the Office of Nursing Research and Innovation. She helped me develop the right research questions that would show patients' perceptions of the device's "value," write a research proposal, seek Institutional Review Board approval, and determine how the invention could improve upon usual care.

My hope is that the research will confirm the issues related to current male voiding patterns during hospitalization and enable me to tweak my invention as needed. I hope to resubmit my idea accompanied by solid data that allows us to successfully bring the product to the marketplace.

Q: What advice would you provide a fellow caregiver who is just beginning the invention process?

A: Keep reaching out for help, and don't quit. It's an exciting journey, even if it never leadd to a commercialized invention. The things you learn along the way and the people you meet make the whole experience exciting.