Nurse Advocacy: Serving on Boards to Influence Health Policy

"Don’t be afraid to step up!"

Kathy Luzmoor, MS, RN, CNE 

I’ve had many advocate roles as a nurse. One of those roles is serving on the board of directors for the Wyoming Nurses Association where we actively look out for the needs of nurses across the state.

After attending a county health board meeting and noting the board was mostly male with a heavy distribution of physicians, I asked to be considered for a board position. I now serve as the chair of that board and recently another nurse was also appointed. Nurses are well equipped to influence the health of their community.

Don’t be afraid to step up. Sit in on a meeting of a board that interests you and check it out. Board work at your community or state level will take less time than you anticipate. You are needed.