Service Beyond the Bedside: How Nurses Are Leading Change Through Volunteerism

Nursing has always been rooted in compassion, care, and a commitment to improving lives. But for many nurses, that calling extends far beyond clinical settings—into communities around the world where their skills and leadership can create lasting impact.

A powerful example of this spirit in action comes from a recent collaboration between nurses and International Esperanza Project (IEP), a nonprofit working alongside communities in Guatemala to expand access to healthcare, education, and safe living conditions.

A Mission That Transforms Communities

IEP operates through three core pillars—Homes, Health, and Education: bringing essential resources like clean water, smoke-free stoves, improved housing, and access to care for families in need.

Through partnerships with volunteers around the world, including nurse leaders, IEP focuses on sustainable, long-term impact that strengthens families and fosters brighter futures.

One recent initiative, Team Excellence, co-lead by our NOBC CEO, alongside Allen Roeseler and Susan and Scott Salka, exemplifies what’s possible when healthcare professionals step into volunteer leadership roles. At NOBC we recognize and recommend nurses can often get started on a path to board service by volunteering and serving in non-profit organizations.

Leadership in Action: Team Excellence

During a recent service trip, nurse leaders served as both Team Captain and Team Leader, helping deliver meaningful improvements to 160 families in Guatemala.

From installing smoke-free stoves to supporting clean water solutions, the work addressed immediate health needs while also empowering communities with safer, healthier living environments.

But beyond the physical outcomes, the experience highlighted something even deeper—the unique ability of nurses to lead through empathy, collaboration, and service.

A Life-Changing Experience

For one participating nurse, Stacey Akeley, BSN, RN, CHPN, the impact was both professional and personal:

“Joining Team Excellence as a Team Captain has been life-changing in so many ways. Leading and serving alongside others… has deepened my appreciation and gratitude.

Knowing that we are making a meaningful impact on the health and wellness of Guatemalan families… is both humbling and inspiring.

These experiences remind me that even small acts of service can make a lasting difference in the lives of others, while profoundly changing our own lives as well.”

Her reflection captures what many volunteers discover—service is not just about what you give, but what you gain in perspective, connection, and purpose.

Why Volunteer Leadership Matters

At the Nurses on Boards Coalition, we often say that leadership doesn’t begin in the boardroom—it begins with service. Volunteering offers a pathway for nurses to:

Develop leadership and team-building skills
Broaden cultural understanding and empathy
Apply clinical expertise in innovative, community-driven ways
Inspire others to engage and lead

Efforts like Team Excellence demonstrate how nurses can step into leadership roles that extend their influence far beyond traditional boundaries.

A Ripple Effect of Impact

The collaboration between IEP and nurse volunteers is a reminder that meaningful change is rarely achieved in isolation. It is built through partnerships, shared purpose, and a willingness to serve.

From the families in Guatemala benefiting from improved health and living conditions, to the volunteers who return home transformed, the impact continues to ripple outward—touching communities, inspiring colleagues, and strengthening the profession of nursing.

Answering the Call

Opportunities to serve are everywhere—locally and globally. Whether through organizations like IEP or other nonprofits, nurses have countless ways to use their skills to make a difference.

The story of Team Excellence is not just about one trip or one group—it is a call to action.

Because when nurses lead through service, they don’t just care for individuals.
They help change the world.

NOBC would love to tell your story as a nurse volunteer that led to volunteer leadership or board position with an organization. Contact us at aidan@nursesonboardscoalition.org.