Conclusion At a time when the role of nursing executives may be questioned, the evidence supports the positive impact of highly skilled nursing executives in contributing to the implementation of effective health services. Successful health services should be engaging nurse executives who have the high level of expertise, education, the best leadership and management attributes to bring the art and science of nursing to produce outcomes for organisations.
Implications for nursing management Nurse executives must remain alert to the ongoing challenges and potential questioning on the value that nurses can bring to an executive board. The framework of nursing executive influence and leadership through professional governance, quality improvement, service transformation and change and shared governance is one possible approach that nurse executives may wish to apply to articulate their contribution and value in remaining at the executive board table.