About Us
Kaiser Permanente Nurse Scholars Academy (NSA) programs are focused on the intersection between quality of care and patient outcomes, as well as on workforce readiness, nursing leadership development, professional practice, and the educational advancement of all registered nurses.
The Nurse Scholars Academy is dedicated to advancing nursing excellence and leadership in pursuit of total health for our members and the communities we serve.
Janet Liang
Executive vice president, group president and chief operating officer, care delivery, for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals
About the Nurse Scholars Academy
The NSA was launched in 2015 to ensure that our nurses play an integral role in leading health care reform. Our programs are focused on the intersection between quality of care and patient outcomes, as well as on workforce readiness, nursing leadership development, professional practice, and the educational advancement of all registered nurses.
We offers programs for leadership development, educational advancement, and mentorship; scholarship and grant resources; networking events; and research opportunities.
Our Nurse Scholars learn about the quadruple aim of ensuring quality and safety, enhancing the care experience, improving affordability, and prioritizing self-care. The integration of Caring Science supports holistic health and well-being for self, systems, and the communities we serve.
Our impact
By empowering nurses, we can create a more patient-centered and equitable health care system.
The Nurse Scholars Academy (NSA) has had a significant impact on the nursing profession since its launch in 2015, helping to advance nursing excellence and leadership, and improving the quality of care for our members and the communities we serve.
Our approach
Our innovative approach amplifies Kaiser Permanente’s long-standing commitment to advancing the development of front-line nurses and nurse leaders.
We are committed to inspiring and promoting transformational leadership, clinical excellence, evidence-informed practice, and nursing research. The goal is to better align the current and future workforce to deliver on the promise outlined in Kaiser Permanente’s vision statement. The intent is to advance professional nursing, streamline the integration of best practices, and nurture future leaders at all levels of the organization.
Kaiser Permanente Nurse Scholars Academy
The ongoing success of the Kaiser Permanente Nurse Scholars Academy has led to the creation of new academies modeled on the original NSA framework and program priorities. The Kaiser Permanente Scholars Academy comprises the NSA, Mental Health Scholars Academy, Research & Innovation Academy, Allied Health Scholars Academy, and Caring Science Academy.
Our legacy
The emergence and success of the Kaiser Permanente Scholars Academy are testimony to the core legacy and the 75-year-plus commitment to bold innovation established by founders Henry J. Kaiser and Dr. Sydney Garfield. This shared vision of total health lives on today through the legacy of nursing professional practice that emerged from The Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing in 1947 and continues to thrive in the hearts and minds of Kaiser Permanente nurses today. Learn more about our legacy here.
Nursing at Kaiser Permanente
Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and improve the health of our members and communities. We are committed to helping shape the future of health care — and our more than 28,000 nurses in Northern California play a critical role.
Visit Nursing in Northern California to learn more about our vision, leadership, medical centers, and our outstanding legacy of nursing excellence.
Nursing vision and professional practice model
As leaders, clinicians, researchers, innovators, and scientists, Kaiser Permanente nurses are advancing the delivery of excellent, compassionate care for our members across the continuum and boldly transforming care to improve the health of our communities and nation.
Learn more about our professional practice model here.
Current NSA and Future of Nursing 2030 goals
- Ensure that nurses practice to the full extent of their education and training.
- Increase the number of nurses with bachelor’s degrees to 80%.
- Double the number of doctorally-prepared nurses.
- Promote professional and specialty certification.
- Increase the number of trained nursing faculty.
- Advance the number of nurses on organizational boards.
- Recognize nurses as “the heart of health care” and full and equal partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.
- Improve workforce planning and policymaking through better data collection and information infrastructure.
Our 7 strategic goals
- Academic progression
- Leadership development
- Professional practice
- Professional development and education
- Evidence-informed practice and research
- Community health and workforce of the future
- Nursing legacy