The ARUP Framework for Sustainable Nursing Innovation: A Conceptual Model for Transforming Healthcare Systems

Abstract

With the Adaptation, Regeneration, Utilization, and Preservation approach, this paper suggested a more comprehensive perspective of nursing innovation and sustainability in health care.

Methods: Based on a PRISMA 2020-guided systematic literature evaluation of research published between 2000 and 2026 that was gathered from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and other pertinent sources, this study creates a conceptual framework. After detailed screening and thematic synthesis 60 suitable studies for ARUP development were identified. The paradigm is supported by three cognate theoretical positions (the triple bottom line approach, Socio-Technical Systems Theory and Diffusion of Innovations Theory).

Results: The ARUP Framework is an integrated model that brings together these different views and blends nursing innovativeness with sustainable health care outcomes. The framework highlights four interconnected components of sustainable nursing innovations: Utilization which emphasizes the use of work in an efficient way, using evidence and technology; Regeneration – emphasizing the ability to regenerate, including the training, recruitment and retention of the nursing workforce, leadership and organizational learning; Adaptation – emphasizing adaptation to changing technology/environment; Preservation – emphasizing patient safety, environmental management, ethical practice and long-term healthcare sustainability. All these dimensions are expected to contribute to improving the quality of healthcare, efficiency on resources use, resilience of the institutions, environmental performance standards and clinical outcomes. The ARUP Framework is a new sustainability model for nurses, incorporating the theories and bases for innovation in the healthcare field, but with a novel approach that combines environmental, nursing organizational, technological, and clinical focus all into a single, integrated framework. It also provides helpful guidance to healthcare executives, nurse managers, educators, researchers, and healthcare policymakers, and can serve as a conceptual foundation for the continued empirical research and validation. The framework enables evidence and sustainability based innovation in nursing practices and healthcare delivery in order to promote integration of sustainability in the practice of everyday caring.