Get on Board: Realizing Full Partnerships in Health Care.

Psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) have a strong leadership history, but challenges (e.g., subordinate roles to physicians) to presenting a professional persona have made it difficult to actualize nursing leadership and realize full partnership in health care reform. Physicians outnumber nurses approximately four to one on hospital and other boards, and data suggest this gap is widening. Time, preparation, desire to serve, lack of a unified voice, and being viewed as employees versus professionals are barriers to optimal nursing leadership. Nursing's perspective is crucial to improving outcomes given the complex and shifting landscape of health care, including mental and physical health integration. Nurses can optimize their leadership skills and prepare for full partnerships on boards and beyond through self-reflection, leadership development, use of the Oregon Nurses on Boards Toolkit, and active engagement and collaborations with professional associations. PMHNs are well positioned for this work. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56(3), 39-44.].