LWW/NAQ
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
Nurs Admin Q Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 28–31 c 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright
Educating Nurse Leaders for Board Service The Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives’ Story Laurie Brown, RN, MN As more nurses consider serving on boards, it is important that they have resources to help them prepare for trustee positions. The Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE) has recently put together a program to introduce nurse leaders to these roles. A variety of experts and experienced nurse board members shared their experiences and advice to the organization’s members. NWONE encourages other organizations to support individuals who can add value to governance as we move into the next era. Key words: corporate governance, nurses on boards, nurse trustees, readiness for governance
T
HE lead story in a recent American Hospital Association’s Trustee Magazine1 points out that health care boards are missing a critical skill when they do not include a nurse as a full, voting board member. One person interviewed from that story was Connie Curran, a nurse leader, who has been on more than 20 boards, including health care boards, during her career. Curran is passionate about the need for the nursing voice on governing bodies and educates others on the importance of this, plus how to get involved in governance. She is the cofounder and chief executive officer of an organization called Best on Boards. This organization serves as a resource and conducts a formal program called Essentials of Healthcare Governance. The Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE) (Table) shares this vision, which is why we recently included Curran,
Author Affiliation: CHI Franciscan Health, Tacoma, Washington, and Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives, Seattle, Washington. The author declares no conflict of interest. Correspondence: Laurie Brown, RN, MN, CHI Franciscan Health, 1717 S J St, Tacoma, WA 98405 ([email protected]). DOI: 10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000077
and others, in our educational line up for the annual Spring Program in May of 2014. We often hear nurse leaders and aspiring nurse leaders say “we need to get a seat at the table.” In addition, we know that the Institute of Medicine recommendations on the Future of Nursing address our need to “prepare and enable nurses to lead change to advance health.” To address these issues, the NWONE Education Commission planned and conducted the 2014 Spring Program (including the preconference) entirely dedicated to education of nurses to prepare for roles in board governance. The program was titled “The Next Step in Our Leadership Journey: Getting Nurses on Boards.” When the brochures were distributed, there was some interesting dialog when it was noted that several organizations were not supportive of their nurses to attend this as paid education due to the subject matter. It was viewed as not relevant to their role. This was a concern to the board and demonstrated that the topic was worth the emphasis to assist others in understanding the importance. Through communications and membership support, we were able to promote the program and achieve the numbers in attendance noted below.
28 Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
LWW/NAQ
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
Educating Nurse Leaders for Board Service
29
Table. Who Is the Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE) NWONE is an affiliate of the American Organization of Nurse Executives serving Oregon and Washington. The organization has a full-time CEO, Gladys Campbell, RN, MSN, FAAN, along with a board of directors who are elected, as well as several appointed at-large members. The board of directors is chaired by an elected president with guidance from the executive committee, who are also elected members. In addition, there are board commissions to include membership, education, health care policy, and practice. Currently, there are 615 members. The membership is organized into regional councils who also have leaders that are represented on the board. The organization’s mission is “To advance the leadership contribution of nurses in creating health care solutions for our communities.” Our vision is “One Voice for Nursing Leadership.” Through the strategic planning process, we have developed the following strategic initiatives and priorities: • Organizational vitality and business effectiveness • Building and maintenance of a strong and engaged membership • Development, support, and advancement of current and future leaders • Investment in the power of the collective through strategic partnerships • The building of evidence to guide and inform nursing leadership, administrative practices, and education • The fostering of proactive and strategic nurse leader involvement with regulatory and legislative activity in the Northwest Region NWONE, as a nonprofit 501C3 is structured as many organizations are, with a chief executive officer and board of directors to carry out the mission and vision of the organization.
Connie Curran, EdD, RN, FAAN, was invited to conduct the full-day preconference titled “Coming Together about the Role of Nurses on Boards—A Deep Dive Conversation.” There were 68 attendees and it was a vibrant discussion covering the following: • Why all this attention about getting nurses on boards? What are the options for serving on a board? • What do nurses need to know to be a strong contributor to a board’s work? • What steps can nurse leaders take to position themselves for a board role? • How is nursing’s voice unique and valuable? The following day, 84 attendees heard Connie and other guest speakers on the topics of the following: • Advancing the leadership role of nursing—The Institute of Medicine report and our national commitment • What does it mean to be a transformational leader and what does that have to do with being a trustee? • So you want a seat at the table? • The value of shared governance: the role of a board in transforming health care
• Panel
discussion—wisdom from the field—learning from our leaders who have functioned in the trustee role • Concluded with our general membership meeting There was great interactive dialog throughout both the preconference and full program, and positive feedback was received during the program as well as the formal evaluations that were completed. Many participants shared that they would use this information to either seek a position on a board or improve the functioning of a current board they were on. Several comments listed here are representative of the large volume of positive comments that were shared: “This was very informative! Helped me to understand how to move forward in this adventure and not make it seem so daunting.” “This was an inspiring conference that has opened my eyes to the importance of joining a board.” “I will be looking for an opportunity to serve on a board.”
Overall, the response was extremely positive. One of the speakers noted that it
Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
LWW/NAQ
30
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
NURSING ADMINISTRATION QUARTERLY/JANUARY–MARCH 2015
was impressive to see so many nurses gathered together on this particular topic. That had not been their experience in other venues. The education commission additionally conducted a follow-up opportunity on this topic. A 1-day workshop featuring Connie Curran with the Best on Board program that included on line pre-work to achieve a certificate in Essentials of Health Care Governance was completed in the fall 2014. There were 29 participants for this workshop. The NWONE is pleased to have been able to promote this very important topic and conduct the previously described education experiences. It is clearly an important topic and it was evident that there is a need for this type of education as well as dialog. As attendees, our members learned facts that we can share, as described later. WHY NURSES SHOULD ASPIRE TO HEALTH CARE GOVERNANCE POSITIONS Nurses bring experience and expertise to health care governance that includes acute care, facility and/or system operations, continuum, and care coordination. They are trained in wellness, not just “illness” care. Many nurses undervalue the skill and expertise that they possess and the importance of their perspective to governance topics. A front line acute care nurse manager, for example, often has a large span of control, supervising many employees and a significant budget. In addition, the 24/7 responsibility for the patients and staff on that unit creates a wealth of experience and knowledge. Roles in various settings across the continuum provide for a unique perspective that adds value to health care discussions at a governance level. Educating other nonclinician trustees about the role of nurses and other multidisciplinary providers is an additional value that the nurse trustee can provide. As organizations work toward a model of care to improve population health, nurses are a valued resource with education and training that is grounded in health promotion and wellness. Our physician col-
leagues also play an important role in health care governance but too often it is not recognized that both roles are of equal importance. Each profession brings unique, and different, expertise to the board table. HOW TO PREPARE FOR A POTENTIAL BOARD POSITION So, how can nurses prepare for a seat at the table? They can attend educational opportunities, such as those recently conducted by NWONE. They can study good articles and books related to governance subjects. They can find mentors and/or get the word out through networking that they are interested in governance opportunities. Nurse leaders most often go on another system’s board, so nurse leader colleagues might be the ones who suggest them for board membership on their hospital or system boards. Nurses can look for opportunities to serve on community boards and should list those experiences on their resumes. Even if a nurse is not interested in a hospital board, his or her skills are needed on community boards, for all the same reasons they are needed on health care system boards. Any organization that has a board would be enriched by a nurse’s leadership skill. Individuals should consider their areas of interest and seek out the opportunities to serve on an organization’s committee because board members are often selected from these volunteer committees. Professional organizations such as NWONE have boards, as well committees. Volunteering for a committee is an entry to running for a seat on the board. These kinds of experiences will improve an individual’s ability to attain trustee position on other boards and are also of service to our profession. WHEN NURSES ARE INVITED TO JOIN A BOARD When nurses do become board members, remember they are not there to represent a profession (unless it is a board with that mission)! A trustee may be selected because of nursing expertise, but as a board member,
Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
LWW/NAQ
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
Educating Nurse Leaders for Board Service his or her responsibility is to work in best interest of the organization, not his or her own organization or profession. Experienced board members will share that trustees who forget this lose credibility with other board members and are not serving the organization as a board member is required to do. Every trustee should share knowledge to help the entire board make the best possible decisions for the organization, without getting into management details. Members do not manage dayto-day operations; they serve in the fiduciary role as trustees. That role is an important one, and it is imperative for board members to be prepared and take the role seriously. A board or member who does not understand this and merely rubber stamps decisions without due diligence is just as detrimental as the trustee who brings his or her own personal agenda to the table.
31
CONCLUSION Nurses have skills, knowledge, and expertise that are of value to health care and many other boards. Organizations benefit when they include nurses as trustees, but individual nurse board members benefit too. To have full voice in changes that must occur for thriving in the next era of health care, nurses need a place in new care models as caregivers, managers, leaders, and members of governing bodies. Organizations like NWONE can be instrumental in creating opportunities to provide education and mentoring to assist nurses to learn board skills as they prepare for a role in governance. As nurses, we can and should consider board membership as a goal. It’s one more way we can participate in changing health care for the betterment of those we serve.
REFERENCE 1. Huff C. The case for a nurse trustee. Trustee Mag. 2014;67(8):11-14.
Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
Nurs Admin Q Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 28–31 c 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright
Educating Nurse Leaders for Board Service The Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives’ Story Laurie Brown, RN, MN As more nurses consider serving on boards, it is important that they have resources to help them prepare for trustee positions. The Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE) has recently put together a program to introduce nurse leaders to these roles. A variety of experts and experienced nurse board members shared their experiences and advice to the organization’s members. NWONE encourages other organizations to support individuals who can add value to governance as we move into the next era. Key words: corporate governance, nurses on boards, nurse trustees, readiness for governance
T
HE lead story in a recent American Hospital Association’s Trustee Magazine1 points out that health care boards are missing a critical skill when they do not include a nurse as a full, voting board member. One person interviewed from that story was Connie Curran, a nurse leader, who has been on more than 20 boards, including health care boards, during her career. Curran is passionate about the need for the nursing voice on governing bodies and educates others on the importance of this, plus how to get involved in governance. She is the cofounder and chief executive officer of an organization called Best on Boards. This organization serves as a resource and conducts a formal program called Essentials of Healthcare Governance. The Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE) (Table) shares this vision, which is why we recently included Curran,
Author Affiliation: CHI Franciscan Health, Tacoma, Washington, and Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives, Seattle, Washington. The author declares no conflict of interest. Correspondence: Laurie Brown, RN, MN, CHI Franciscan Health, 1717 S J St, Tacoma, WA 98405 ([email protected]). DOI: 10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000077
and others, in our educational line up for the annual Spring Program in May of 2014. We often hear nurse leaders and aspiring nurse leaders say “we need to get a seat at the table.” In addition, we know that the Institute of Medicine recommendations on the Future of Nursing address our need to “prepare and enable nurses to lead change to advance health.” To address these issues, the NWONE Education Commission planned and conducted the 2014 Spring Program (including the preconference) entirely dedicated to education of nurses to prepare for roles in board governance. The program was titled “The Next Step in Our Leadership Journey: Getting Nurses on Boards.” When the brochures were distributed, there was some interesting dialog when it was noted that several organizations were not supportive of their nurses to attend this as paid education due to the subject matter. It was viewed as not relevant to their role. This was a concern to the board and demonstrated that the topic was worth the emphasis to assist others in understanding the importance. Through communications and membership support, we were able to promote the program and achieve the numbers in attendance noted below.
28 Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
LWW/NAQ
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
Educating Nurse Leaders for Board Service
29
Table. Who Is the Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives (NWONE) NWONE is an affiliate of the American Organization of Nurse Executives serving Oregon and Washington. The organization has a full-time CEO, Gladys Campbell, RN, MSN, FAAN, along with a board of directors who are elected, as well as several appointed at-large members. The board of directors is chaired by an elected president with guidance from the executive committee, who are also elected members. In addition, there are board commissions to include membership, education, health care policy, and practice. Currently, there are 615 members. The membership is organized into regional councils who also have leaders that are represented on the board. The organization’s mission is “To advance the leadership contribution of nurses in creating health care solutions for our communities.” Our vision is “One Voice for Nursing Leadership.” Through the strategic planning process, we have developed the following strategic initiatives and priorities: • Organizational vitality and business effectiveness • Building and maintenance of a strong and engaged membership • Development, support, and advancement of current and future leaders • Investment in the power of the collective through strategic partnerships • The building of evidence to guide and inform nursing leadership, administrative practices, and education • The fostering of proactive and strategic nurse leader involvement with regulatory and legislative activity in the Northwest Region NWONE, as a nonprofit 501C3 is structured as many organizations are, with a chief executive officer and board of directors to carry out the mission and vision of the organization.
Connie Curran, EdD, RN, FAAN, was invited to conduct the full-day preconference titled “Coming Together about the Role of Nurses on Boards—A Deep Dive Conversation.” There were 68 attendees and it was a vibrant discussion covering the following: • Why all this attention about getting nurses on boards? What are the options for serving on a board? • What do nurses need to know to be a strong contributor to a board’s work? • What steps can nurse leaders take to position themselves for a board role? • How is nursing’s voice unique and valuable? The following day, 84 attendees heard Connie and other guest speakers on the topics of the following: • Advancing the leadership role of nursing—The Institute of Medicine report and our national commitment • What does it mean to be a transformational leader and what does that have to do with being a trustee? • So you want a seat at the table? • The value of shared governance: the role of a board in transforming health care
• Panel
discussion—wisdom from the field—learning from our leaders who have functioned in the trustee role • Concluded with our general membership meeting There was great interactive dialog throughout both the preconference and full program, and positive feedback was received during the program as well as the formal evaluations that were completed. Many participants shared that they would use this information to either seek a position on a board or improve the functioning of a current board they were on. Several comments listed here are representative of the large volume of positive comments that were shared: “This was very informative! Helped me to understand how to move forward in this adventure and not make it seem so daunting.” “This was an inspiring conference that has opened my eyes to the importance of joining a board.” “I will be looking for an opportunity to serve on a board.”
Overall, the response was extremely positive. One of the speakers noted that it
Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
LWW/NAQ
30
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
NURSING ADMINISTRATION QUARTERLY/JANUARY–MARCH 2015
was impressive to see so many nurses gathered together on this particular topic. That had not been their experience in other venues. The education commission additionally conducted a follow-up opportunity on this topic. A 1-day workshop featuring Connie Curran with the Best on Board program that included on line pre-work to achieve a certificate in Essentials of Health Care Governance was completed in the fall 2014. There were 29 participants for this workshop. The NWONE is pleased to have been able to promote this very important topic and conduct the previously described education experiences. It is clearly an important topic and it was evident that there is a need for this type of education as well as dialog. As attendees, our members learned facts that we can share, as described later. WHY NURSES SHOULD ASPIRE TO HEALTH CARE GOVERNANCE POSITIONS Nurses bring experience and expertise to health care governance that includes acute care, facility and/or system operations, continuum, and care coordination. They are trained in wellness, not just “illness” care. Many nurses undervalue the skill and expertise that they possess and the importance of their perspective to governance topics. A front line acute care nurse manager, for example, often has a large span of control, supervising many employees and a significant budget. In addition, the 24/7 responsibility for the patients and staff on that unit creates a wealth of experience and knowledge. Roles in various settings across the continuum provide for a unique perspective that adds value to health care discussions at a governance level. Educating other nonclinician trustees about the role of nurses and other multidisciplinary providers is an additional value that the nurse trustee can provide. As organizations work toward a model of care to improve population health, nurses are a valued resource with education and training that is grounded in health promotion and wellness. Our physician col-
leagues also play an important role in health care governance but too often it is not recognized that both roles are of equal importance. Each profession brings unique, and different, expertise to the board table. HOW TO PREPARE FOR A POTENTIAL BOARD POSITION So, how can nurses prepare for a seat at the table? They can attend educational opportunities, such as those recently conducted by NWONE. They can study good articles and books related to governance subjects. They can find mentors and/or get the word out through networking that they are interested in governance opportunities. Nurse leaders most often go on another system’s board, so nurse leader colleagues might be the ones who suggest them for board membership on their hospital or system boards. Nurses can look for opportunities to serve on community boards and should list those experiences on their resumes. Even if a nurse is not interested in a hospital board, his or her skills are needed on community boards, for all the same reasons they are needed on health care system boards. Any organization that has a board would be enriched by a nurse’s leadership skill. Individuals should consider their areas of interest and seek out the opportunities to serve on an organization’s committee because board members are often selected from these volunteer committees. Professional organizations such as NWONE have boards, as well committees. Volunteering for a committee is an entry to running for a seat on the board. These kinds of experiences will improve an individual’s ability to attain trustee position on other boards and are also of service to our profession. WHEN NURSES ARE INVITED TO JOIN A BOARD When nurses do become board members, remember they are not there to represent a profession (unless it is a board with that mission)! A trustee may be selected because of nursing expertise, but as a board member,
Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
LWW/NAQ
NAQ-D-14-00071
December 2, 2014
7:42
Educating Nurse Leaders for Board Service his or her responsibility is to work in best interest of the organization, not his or her own organization or profession. Experienced board members will share that trustees who forget this lose credibility with other board members and are not serving the organization as a board member is required to do. Every trustee should share knowledge to help the entire board make the best possible decisions for the organization, without getting into management details. Members do not manage dayto-day operations; they serve in the fiduciary role as trustees. That role is an important one, and it is imperative for board members to be prepared and take the role seriously. A board or member who does not understand this and merely rubber stamps decisions without due diligence is just as detrimental as the trustee who brings his or her own personal agenda to the table.
31
CONCLUSION Nurses have skills, knowledge, and expertise that are of value to health care and many other boards. Organizations benefit when they include nurses as trustees, but individual nurse board members benefit too. To have full voice in changes that must occur for thriving in the next era of health care, nurses need a place in new care models as caregivers, managers, leaders, and members of governing bodies. Organizations like NWONE can be instrumental in creating opportunities to provide education and mentoring to assist nurses to learn board skills as they prepare for a role in governance. As nurses, we can and should consider board membership as a goal. It’s one more way we can participate in changing health care for the betterment of those we serve.
REFERENCE 1. Huff C. The case for a nurse trustee. Trustee Mag. 2014;67(8):11-14.
Copyright © 2015 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
