Nursing Leadership: Ten Compelling Reasons for Having a Nurse Leader on the Hospital Board

Much has been written about the importance of having physicians on the hospital board. Until recently, however, few articles have appeared in support of similar representation by nurse leaders. Most of what has been written has focused mainly on the contributions nurse leaders can make in the areas of quality of care and patient safety.1, 2, 3 and 4 Although these are valid considerations, they are incomplete. There are a number of other important areas where nurse leaders can add value. The purpose of this article is to provide a broader view of the potential benefits that nursing leadership can bring to the hospital boardroom. Nurse leaders constitute a significant untapped resource that can help fulfill governance responsibilities in the challenging times ahead.