By Representing national organizations related to health and nursing, NOBC has a bold strategy: to ensure at least 10,000 board seats are held by nurses in 2020. By board seats, they mean diverse governance roles including public, private, and non-profit boards; commissions, appointments or health-related decision-making entities that work to improve the health of people and communities across America.
Scrubs Magazine is partnering with NOBC to help with this strategy. We aim to give the initiative more visibility, educate nurses and nursing students about board service and opportunities, and help them prepare to take on these kinds of roles in the communities where they live and work.
NOBC was created in response to the landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” which recommended increasing the number of nurse leaders in pivotal decision-making roles.
Building healthier communities requires the involvement of more nurses on corporate and health-related boards, panels, and commissions. This is NOBC’s mission.
Nurses represent the largest segment of the healthcare workforce. Nursing is considered the most trustworthy of all professions, and nurses play a huge role on the frontlines of care in our schools, hospitals, community health centers, long-term care facilities, and other places. Their perspective and influence must be felt at more decision-making tables.
“Board service can be rewarding to nurses both personally and professionally,” says Sue Hassmiller, a nationally recognized nurse leader and NOBC founding member. “It not only requires them to exercise leadership; it expands those skills and advances their capabilities and knowledge. It gives nurses the chance to meet people and enhance their professional networks. And it can be inspirational and empowering.”
Visit NursesOnBoardsCoalition.org for more information, and look forward to more coverage in Scrubs Magazine in the coming year.
This article is part of our ongoing partnership with the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC), formed to improve the nation’s health through the service of nurses on boards, commissions, and other decision-making entities. They want at least 10,000 board seats in 2020. Scrubs Magazine is committed to helping NOBC meet this goal by informing, educating, and inspiring nurses and nursing students to take on leadership roles at all levels. Find out more at NursesOnBoardsCoalition.org.
