Abstract: Objective: To investigate the status quo of innovation ability among clinical nurses in Fujian Province, and to establish the structural equation model of innovation ability among clinical nurses. Methods: Totally 1400 clinical nurses from 27 secondary or tertiary hospitals in 9 cities of Fujian Province were selected by proportional stratified sampling method. The general information questionnaire, Clinical Nurse Innovation Ability Scale, Nurses' Psychological Capital Scale and Nurses' Organizational Innovation Climate Scale were used to conduct the questionnaire survey. The influencing factors and action paths of innovation ability were analyzed by structural equation model. Results: The total score of clinical nurses' innovation ability was 151.00±22.73, which was at a good level. The total score of psychological capital was 78.30±11.76. The total score of organizational innovation climate was 88.05±13.23. There were statistically significant differences in the innovation ability of clinical nurses with different working years, educational background, professional titles, departments and hospital levels respectively (P<0.05). Nurses' psychological capital, organizational innovation climate and innovation ability were positively correlated (P<0.001). Psychological capital had a direct positive effect on clinical nurses' innovation ability, and the effect value was 0.712. Organizational innovation climate could directly or indirectly affect innovation ability among clinical nurses through psychological capital, and the total effect value was 0.603. Conclusion: The innovation ability of clinical nurses is at a good level. Managers can improve the level of innovation ability of clinical nurses by creating a good organizational innovation atmosphere and carrying out positive psychological intervention.

Key words: nurse; innovation ability; psychological capital; organizational innovation atmosphere; structural equation model