Eminent CPR New NOBC Sponsor

by Shawntay Harris, DNP, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, NE-BC, TCRN, CPEN, CEN, CFRN, CTRN, FAEN

My journey in healthcare leadership has been defined by a deep commitment to education, mentorship, and advocacy. As the founder of Eminent CPR, I have dedicated my career to equipping nurses and healthcare providers with the critical skills needed to deliver life-saving care. Our organization is a global leader in healthcare education, offering comprehensive CPR and advanced certification courses, including Nurse Executive Review Courses, tailored to prepare professionals for board certification. Through our innovative learning management system, thousands of nurses worldwide engage in self-paced education, specializing in trauma, pediatrics, and emergency nursing. Additionally, our doctoral mentorship program fosters leadership development, guiding emerging nurse leaders through their academic and professional journeys.

My path to leadership and board service began in 1993, when I served as Vice President of the Savannah, Georgia chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. That experience introduced me to the profound impact of advocacy and structured leadership. From there, I expanded my board service across various organizations, each offering new opportunities to effect meaningful change in nursing and community initiatives. As a non-traditional student, I embraced leadership roles, including serving as a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chapter officer, which further strengthened my commitment to service.

Over the years, I have held board positions with the ENA Foundation and the Texas State Council of the Emergency Nurses Association, focusing on scholarship funding, leadership development, and advancing nursing practice. As a member of the Executive Editorial Board of the Journal of Emergency Nursing, I collaborate with nurse leaders to elevate evidence-based practice and professional discourse within our specialty. Today, I am honored to serve on the Emergency Nurses Association’s Board of Directors, where I work alongside other professionals to shape policy, influence practice standards, and advocate for the advancement of nursing worldwide.

My journey to board leadership has been strategically built upon a foundation of philanthropy, board certifications, and extensive leadership experience. Philanthropic efforts have allowed me to connect with networks where decision-makers recognize the value of service-oriented leadership. Additionally, my work as a nurse entrepreneur—developing scalable educational programs and managing budgets—has shaped my approach to board service. This experience has deepened my understanding of strategic growth and sustainability, allowing me to bring a data-driven perspective to strategic planning discussions. I advocate for initiatives that align with our mission while maintaining organizational integrity, ensuring that our strategies are both ambitious and achievable. By integrating clinical expertise with business leadership, I bridge the gap between vision and execution, fostering sustainable growth that meets the evolving needs of our communities.

One of the greatest challenges I encountered in board service was fully grasping governance structures—particularly how bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order guide every aspect of a board’s functions. As a nurse leader, I was accustomed to making swift, decisive calls in urgent clinical situations. However, transitioning into board governance required me to embrace a more methodical approach and understand the importance of process. Every decision must align with the bylaws, and each action follows a structured sequence of motions, discussions, and votes. This shift—from the fast-paced urgency of clinical practice to the strategic patience of governance—taught me the value of discipline, deliberation, and collective leadership.

Nurses serving on boards have a profound impact, particularly in addressing community health needs, population health, and social determinants of health. We bring a unique perspective rooted in direct patient care, cultural competency, and an unwavering commitment to advocacy. We witness firsthand the gaps in healthcare access and the systemic barriers affecting vulnerable populations. By serving on boards, nurses can influence policy decisions that directly address these disparities, advocating for initiatives centered on preventive care, chronic disease management, and health education.

Additionally, nurses are consistently recognized as the most trusted professionals in healthcare—a reputation that holds significant weight in boardroom discussions. When we have a seat at the table, we serve as a powerful voice for those who might otherwise go unheard, ensuring that board decisions are grounded in compassion-driven advocacy. Integrating the nursing perspective into board service is not just a matter of representation; it is a strategic imperative that fosters more inclusive, equitable, and effective governance.