Carol Boswell
Carol Boswell
- Ed.D., RN, CNE, ANEF, FAANCredentials: Ed.D., RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Place of Employment: Texas Tech University Health Services Center School of Nursing
Which Nursing Organizations are you currently a member of: ANA, TNA, STTI, NLN
Board(s) currently serving on: Permian Regional Medical Center, Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council
Tell us about your journey to the boardroom. What inspired you to seek a leadership position?
Initially when I sought the board position with our hospital district, my reason was to be able to address the health concerns of a county hospital move into the hospital district format. Many community issues were happening which lead me to the believe that a healthcare provider was needed on the board to provide a different focus for the board of directors. Regarding the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council, I had finished six years as an elected Governor for the National League for Nursing. Since I had finished that commitment, I decided to submit my name to the Texas Governor for consideration on one of the state committees. Since I had served on a national level with the NLN and community level with the hospital district, I determined to open myself to the opportunity to serve on a state level.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
For each of these boards, multiple continuing educational opportunities are provided. I have taken advance of all the opportunities that I can attend. Through the networking that I have done with these groups and Texas Team, I have developed other growth opportunities such as writing grants and serving on task-forces. Keeping involved with different professional organizations helps me to develop the skills needed to be effective as a board member.
What impact have you had serving on a board? Example?
For the hospital board, the current membership depends on my health background along with my involvement in health care at the state and national levels. I bring current ideas, challenges, and opportunities to the board to consider as we meet the needs of our community. Because of my expertise, I have been approached to work with a group to envision and implement a “GREEN SPACE” for our community.
What advice would you give someone going into a board leadership position for the first time?
Several different skills that are common to nurses are critical for board leadership positions. Those skills include communication, delegation, conflict resolution, assessment, and critical thinking. Any avenue to improve a person’s confidence level in these skills will help them to be successful. Another area for advice is to determine your passion. Look for board positions which address those passions. Getting your name known is important. Volunteering for task-forces and committees is one way to get your name before the board. Attending the board meetings as a member of the public allows a person to become familiar with the workings of the board. It also allows opportunities to get your name before the board members so that when a position comes open, it opens a door for the person. While staying true to nursing is important, being on a board requires that you consider issues from different viewpoints. Opening your thoughts and ideas to other viewpoints is critical.
What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader and eventually obtaining a board position?
To gain insight requires that a person becomes active in that group. Looking for ways to be engaged with the individuals who make up the board is very beneficial. Volunteering to help with reports and other documents/activities provides openings for a person to become included into the board. Locating those boards which address a person’s passions is critical to be successful. Any process that makes a person more confidence and/or reflects that level of confidences is a positive resource.
Why do you feel it is important for nurses to serve on boards?
Nurses bring a firm and expansive knowledge base to any board that they serve on. We bring the holistic approach to everything that we do — board service is no different. The holistic look at challenges and opportunities allows for an increasingly global perspective.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to nurses serving on boards?
Nurses must understand the value that they bring to the table. We sometimes are our own worst enemies. We step back and don’t stand up for ourselves outside of the health care setting. Developing confidence in our abilities and understanding the strong and unique knowledge that we bring to any table is critical.
Boards: Permian Regional Medical Center; Texas Statewide Health Coordinating CouncilContinue Reading
The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) represents national nursing and other organizations working to build healthier communities in America by increasing nurses’ presence on corporate, health-related, and other boards, panels, and commissions.