Nurses on Boards: Opportunities for Nurses to Share Their Knowledge, Critical Thinking, Experience, and Understanding of Health Care.

Abstract

Nurses play a pivotal role in health care policymaking, and as change leaders, possess the unique qualifications necessary to address barriers to health equity, given shifting demographics and health care complexities. This article explores the need for nurses to serve on organization, corporate, and community Boards of Directors/Trustees and their committees, councils, panels, task forces, and commissions, and their potential impact; describes how nurses can prepare for and obtain positions these roles; identifies barriers to their participation; underscores the impact of nurses in promoting health equity; and discusses the potential paths for increased nurse representation on boards.