DNP 840 Topic 5 Discussion Question Two
DNP 840 Topic 5 Discussion Question Two
Why is it meaningful to have doctorally prepared advanced practice nurses as members of health care boards? What is the role of the nurse on these boards?
More Nurses in Boardrooms
The groundbreaking 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, recommended increasing the number of nurses in decision-making roles on boards and commissions focused on improving health. In response, 21 national nursing organizations gathered to form NOBC in November of 2014.
This collective, nationwide effort to place nurses on boards was inspired by the recognition that nurses have a wealth of clinical, patient, and systems knowledge that can enable health care organizations to achieve their missions. Aligned with this understanding,
NOBC’s vision is to have nurses fill at least 10,000 seats on boards and other influential decision-making bodies by 2020. Through its initiatives, the coalition is raising awareness that nurses bring a unique perspective to boards at the local, state, and national levels.
Strategic Approach Keeps NOBC Focused
Laurie Benson, BSN, executive director of NOBC, explains that the coalition has developed five strategic imperatives to keep the group focused on achieving its vision. These goals are:
- Facilitate Board Placements
- In October of 2018, NOBC crossed the halfway mark toward the milestone of achieving 10,000 board seats by 2020. As of April of 2019, less than 100 board seats remain to be filled to reach 6,000.
- As a result of a strategic planning session at the 2018 Fall NOBC Member Meeting, plans are underway to collaborate with United Way, various Chambers of Commerce, and recruiters to increase board opportunities.
- Create a Dynamic Organization Focused on Transformative Growth
- NOBC achieved 501(c)(3) status with 2019 Platinum GuideStar rating.
- Promote Collaboration Among States and National Organizations to Integrate Strategies
-
- The coalition sponsored a webinar for NOBC state contacts in December of 2018 to share best practices.
- NOBC achieved 2020 goals in 8 states, and 22 additional states report that they are more than halfway to their goal.
- Demonstrate the Impact of Nurses on Boards
-
- In 2019, the NOBC Impact of Nurses on Boards Work Group will conduct an initial qualitative study to measure the impact of nurses on boards.
- Develop Member Synergy, Strategy, and Value
- NOBC representatives reported at recent spring and fall member meetings about how they are assisting their members to prepare, pursue, and serve on boards. These interactive conversations enabled NOBC to identify best practices, which have been incorporated into action items to fulfill NOBC’s strategic plan.