Fourth, to augment their experience in patient care and nursing leadership roles, nurses who aspire to board roles would benefit from education about governance in the contemporary health care environment, for example, the fiduciary duties, responsibilities, and authority of boards in various organizational models; the core characteristics of effective governance; and case studies about boards that work exceptionally well and others that have made mistakes that should be avoided. Educational programs of this nature could be developed and provided in several ways. For example, in universities that have both a nursing program and a graduate program in health management and policy, there is a natural opportunity for collaboration in designing and offering educational programs about health care governance for interested nurses.
To govern effectively in an environment that is in the midst of transformational change, the boards of all health care organizations must include a multidisciplinary blend of highly capable persons, all of whom share dedication to the organization's mission and commitment to improving its performance. It is my belief that board deliberations are enriched significantly by the presence and contributions of highly qualified nurse leaders, and it is my hope that their presence around boardroom tables will increase markedly in the coming years.