Nurses on Boards...Is Competency in the Boardroom Enough?

By Paula J. Webb, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, President-Elect/Treasurer of TONE

There are numerous articles and websites relating to the importance of the addition of nurses to boards of trustees with descriptions of the competencies that nurses bring to the table. The IOM report (IOM, 2010) on the Future of Nursing states that "Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other healthcare professionals, in redesigning healthcare in the United States." With this challenge, the addition of nurses on boards provides an opportunity for nurses to influence policy and ensure a laser focus on quality. Nursing competencies include experience and expertise, acute care knowledge, system operations, facility awareness, continuum of care, care coordination, population health, and health promotion and wellness (Brown, 2015). The Nurses on Boards Coalition (2016, p.1) states "all boards benefit from the unique perspective of nurses to achieve the goals of improved health and efficient and effective health care systems at the local, state and national levels." As the presence of nurses on boards increase, additional competencies that go beyond the ones mentioned above become equally important.

Mothers throughout history have shared that "others judge you by how you act in public." As professional careers evolve and nurses become more involved in business operations, it becomes more important than ever for nurses to further develop their skills in etiquette. These skills go far beyond the ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ manners learned as a child.

Kathleen Pagana (2015) has authored a book entitled The Nurse's Etiquette Advantage: How Professional Etiquette Can Advance Your Nursing Career. The purpose of this book is to provide the nurse with practical tips and tools to become confident and competent in all professional and personal work and activities. From the appropriate way to hand ones business card to an associate, proper handshake technique, strategic name tag placement, the use of technology and social media, dining etiquette, to skills for interacting with all levels of professionals (C-Suite executives to subordinates) with confidence are described in detail. The book not only provides valuable information, but provides questions & answers, faux pas and quizzes to make the learning opportunity more enjoyable.

The addition of the etiquette skill set to one’s personal and professional toolkit provides the nurse with an opportunity to enhance relationships; therefore, impact change. Whether at home, in a personal or professional social setting or in the boardroom, nurses are making an impression on others. Let’s make it a good one.