FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Download PDF Version
April 26, 2017
Media Contacts:
Patricia Epstein, Nurses on Boards Coalition
301-628-5203
patricia.epstein@ana.org
Natalie Sobolewski
Senior Communications Manager
Chamberlain College of Nursing
630-353-8716
nsobolewski@chamberlain.edu
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Today, the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) and Chamberlain College of Nursing announced the culmination of their year-long work developing a long-term strategic partnership with two goals: 1) Increase awareness of the significant impact nurses can have on healthcare through service on boards at every level; and 2) co-create programs to help nurses develop the competencies and readiness to serve on boards. Chamberlain has committed to supporting the work of the Coalition for a minimum of five years and will collaborate with the Coalition to accomplish the Coalition’s goals, positively impacting a culture of heath through the transformation of healthcare.
“We are excited about our Founding Strategic Partnership with the NOBC as it exemplifies our alignment around the vision, mission and purpose of empowering extraordinary nurses to step into leadership roles and have a significant impact on healthcare from bedside to boardroom,” said Susan Groenwald, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, national president for Chamberlain College of Nursing. “Through the development of programs that improve nurses’ leadership skills and competencies, nurses, including Chamberlain colleagues and alumni, will be more likely to participate on boards where they can make significant contributions to healthcare.”
According to recent statistics reported by Trustee magazine, an American Hospital Association publication, the vast majority of the nation’s hospitals and health systems do not have a nurse on their board. While America has 3.6 million nurses, only 5 percent of the nation’s hospitals have a nurse as a trustee or that serves on a board.1 Chamberlain aims to assist the Coalition’s goal of ensuring at least 10,000 nurses are on boards by 2020, and
raise awareness that boards can benefit from the unique perspective of nurses.
“A nurse perspective helps boards achieve their goal of improved health, as well as more efficient and effective healthcare systems at the local, state and national levels,” said Rita Wray, MBA, RN, BC, FAAN, Chamberlain Board of Trustees member. “Nurses represent one of the largest segments of our healthcare workforce and it simply makes good business sense to have the nursing perspective represented in all places where decisions affecting health are made.”
Chamberlain intends to expand upon its current board member roster of nurse leaders including:
“The NOBC is pleased to partner with Chamberlain College of Nursing to extend our reach and provide support to nurses as they offer their expertise to relevant boards,” said Kimberly J. Harper, RN, MS, CEO, Indiana Center for Nursing, Nursing Lead, Indiana Action Coalition-National Future of Nursing Campaign for Action, NOBC National Co-Chair.
“Placing nurses on boards is essential to transform and improve care for all people, particularly with the healthcare system in transition,” said Marla Weston, PhD, RN, FAAN, CEO, American Nurses Association Enterprise and NOBC National Co-Chair.