Nurses Moving From The Bedside To The Boardroom

Nurses were ranked the most trusted profession, according to the Gallup Poll for the last 16 years. Over the years there are more opportunities for nurses to use their skills and expertise outside of the hospital setting and in the marketplace. There are more and more nurses starting businesses, working in corporate positions, and leading the way in the healthcare industry.

Nurses are moving from the bedside to the boardroom and making a global impact. I have been a nurse for about 12 years now I have been blessed to work at the bedside and to sit in the boardroom for some of the top companies in the world. I recently had an opportunity to interview three amazing nurses who decided to use their nursing expertise and knowledge to impact people around the world.

Eva M. Francis, MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC

Eva is an author, healthcare and leadership consultant, and a career and business mentor for nurses and nurse leaders, and a certified business coach. Eva is a full-time nurse entrepreneur and she helps other nurses start businesses.

BDO: Why Did you choose Nursing as a profession?

EF: Ever since I was a little girl, at six years old, the people in my local community in rural Jamaica for some unknown reason called me “NURSE.” I remember visiting older individuals in that local community and helped them with their dishes, laundry and everything else that needed my assistance. Ever since I can remember, I knew that I wanted acareer that was challenging, interesting and one that could impact people’s lives. I am a people person and I knew that dealing with patients and families, helping them through difficult times is extremely satisfying for me and I would not have it any other way.

BDO: How do you use your nursing profession to impact the world?

EF: I am glad I can empower, impact and equip nurses, nurse leaders, and nursing students to elevate, advance and evolve so that they can continue to change and save lives whether directly or indirectly at any stage in their career. As the founder and executive director of “The National Nurse Empowerment and Leadership Institute,” I have the amazing opportunity to connect with nurses from all over the globe.

We designed the annual Nurse Empowerment Conference where nurses can come together to learn from each other as well as using the stage as a platform to share their stories and their messages. This nontraditional conference style has given nurses an outlet to be Innovative & Collaborative. Our Role as nurses has become significantly diversified in recent years. It has broadened and expanded significantly at the bedside as well as to various leadership roles and entrepreneurship.

Nurse Empowerment continues to inspire a new generation of Nurses Leaders who are brilliantly making a shift to be more creative. I am amazed at all the endless opportunities and the changes in this field of nursing and we are excited to take the lead.

BDO: What advice would you give a nurse who is ready to make a shift in their career?

EF: Do not be afraid to step outside of your Comfort Zone. Try new things, because the opportunities are limitless. Know that no matter what aspect of nursing you practice or what’s your specialty, you are making a difference in the lives of others as well as in the community. So, allow yourself to be versatile and embrace all that healthcare has to offer.

Timika Bracken, BSN RN, MBA

Timika is a hospice and palliative care nurse as well as a global nurse leader in her industry. Timika has traveled the world teaching and educating people about HIV/ Aids for the CDC (Center for Disease Control). Timika also has experience working as a Director of Nursing and other nurse executive positions.

BDO: Why did you choose nursing as a profession?

TB: I chose nursing as a profession because I enjoy helping others. I cared for my great-grandmother, a diabetic and amputee, in my early career and I really enjoyed it. I remember we had to change our eating habits to accommodate optimal blood sugars. I also loved the stability and trust associated with nursing. Nurses have the option to be in hospitals, offices, leadership and a host of other positions. Patients trust nurses and I wanted to be a part of that dynamic.

BDO: How do you use your nursing profession to impact the world?

TB: I use my nursing profession to be a listening ear to patients and families. I educate people, so they have adequate information to make decisions about their care. I use my profession to encourage people to make healthy lifestyle changes. I use myprofession to comfort people when a loved one dies. I make people’s lives better one person at a time.

BDO: What advice would you give a nurse who's ready to make a shift in their career?

TB: I would remind nurses that they have the tools needed to make a shift in their career. Nurses have phenomenal assessment skills. Use those skills to assess what you need to make your dream life a reality. Ask yourself, 'what do I need to win at getting what I desire? What does it take to be successful?' These are questions that nurses should ask themselves.

The second piece of advice I would give is to write down all the skills that you have that you could teach or share with someone else. Are you good at listening? Are you awesome at starting those IV’s that no one else can start? Are you the most passionate person in the conversation? I promise you, there is something very special about you that you can share with someone else and it can help you make the shift in your career.

Finally, be gracious and full of gratitude. These characteristics will open many doors.

Brittany Wilson, BSN, RN

Brittany is a millennial nurse leader who currently works as the assistant nurse manager for one of the top hospitals in Jacksonville, Florida. Brittany is under the age of 30 years old and she is a prime example of millennials in leadership who are making a global impact.

BDO: Why did you choose nursing as a profession?

BW: As ironic as it may sound. I didn’t choose nursing, nursing chose me. I decided I wanted to pursue nursing when I was 16 or 17 years old in high school. I researched jobs that would be in high demand by the time I graduated from college. Nursing was among the top 5 of just about every list and that stood out to me. When I read further, I discovered the qualities of a nurse, job skills, requirements, and most importantly the benefits of being a nurse. I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to spend my life doing.

BDO: How do you use your nursing profession to impact the world?

BW: Nursing is not just a job. It is a lifestyle. Even when a nurse is off duty, you are never truly off duty. Not only do our patients in hospitals depend on us, but our families and society trust us as well. As a leader in health care, I use my influence to empower.

I educate people to live healthy lives and inspire both current and future nurses to use their voices to initiate change where it is needed. I plan to give back by starting a brand that will provide support and services to inspire millennial nurses, to discover the leader within in order to maximize their true potential.

BDO: What advice would you give a nurse who’s ready to make a shift in their career?

BW: I’m a firm believer if you love what you do, then you will never work a day in your life. It’s important for nurses to think beyond the chart and really understand what their true purpose is in health care. I like to refer to this as “finding your niche”. Before you can shift your career to have a global impact you have to figure this out first.

Each individual nurse has something special to contribute to the profession whether you are a novice or an expert. Last but not least, surround yourself with like-minded professionals. Nurses can do this by joining professional organizations, attending conferences, or networking with other successful nurses.

As you can see from these three amazing nurses the possibilities are endless. You can work at the bedside, sit in the boardroom, teach in the classroom, work in the government, or travel the globe. Whatever you decide to do, just be true to what you truly desire.