From Bedside to Boardroom: Why Nurses Belong at the Decision-Making Table

A nursing career can grow in many directions. For some nurses, the next chapter may involve bringing their experience and perspective into an entirely different setting: the boardroom.

The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) is helping raise awareness of nurses' role in governance.  

Nurses serve not only on healthcare boards but also on public policy, business, technology, education, community development, and other organizations. Their experience in patient care, healthcare operations, systems, and community needs brings an important perspective to decision-making.  

But how does a nurse learn to contribute effectively on a board?

One example comes from a graduate nursing program featured in an NOBC case study. Its Leadership in Healthcare course introduces students across the nurse educator, nurse administrator, and nurse informaticist tracks to Nurses on Boards for Education. Learning goes beyond understanding governance in theory.  

Students' complete leadership assessments, explore health policy and use digital resources and board simulations before participating in an experiential board practicum. They select a board, interview a sponsor, attend a meeting in person or virtually, and reflect on the board’s composition, decision-making, and the role of nurse participation.  

The experience is opening doors. More than 1,000 graduate students have completed the module, with students observing organizations ranging from public health and hospital boards to school boards, city councils, and professional associations. Some entered the experience skeptical about governance but later expressed interest in pursuing board opportunities themselves.  

That is an important reminder during Nursing Careers Week 2026: leadership has no single destination.

Nursing Careers Week, November 9–13, 2026, helps nurses at every career stage explore possibilities, make meaningful connections, and take intentional steps forward. Board service offers another way for nurses to envision what those next steps could look like.  

Your clinical knowledge and professional experience do not have to stay within the walls of your workplace. They can inform conversations and decisions that affect organizations and communities.

Already serving on a board? Visit Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) and bring your nursing perspective to the table.  

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