Meet Elisa Nguyen, DNP, RN, CMSRN: Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Inpatient Care Services at Stanford Health Care

Recognized as One of the Top 50 Women Chief Nursing Officers of 2024 in the United States

Palo Alto, California — Stanford Health Care is proud to announce that Elisa Nguyen, DNP, RN, CMSRN, has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) of 2024 in the United States. As the Vice President and CNO for Inpatient Care Services, Elisa has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to excellence in nursing and patient care, making significant contributions to the healthcare landscape at Stanford Health Care and beyond.

In her role as VP and CNO of Inpatient Care Services, Elisa oversees an impressive array of 36 inpatient units and four clinical support services, managing a workforce of over 2,300 full-time equivalents (FTEs), which translates to approximately 3,100 employees, including clinical nurses and multi-level leaders across various service lines. With over 20 years of diverse experience in healthcare management, Elisa is recognized for her expertise in operational oversight, strategic planning, and quality assurance, among other critical areas.

Her leadership journey at Stanford Health Care has been marked by her ability to innovate and implement processes that enhance the quality of patient care. Elisa’s tenure as the Director of Nursing Excellence and Magnet Programs was particularly noteworthy. In this role, she successfully advocated for the restructuring and expansion of her department, aligning it with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet pillars and organizational goals. In just 90 days, she operationalized this expansion, showcasing her exceptional ability to translate vision into action.

Before her role as the Director of Nursing Excellence, Elisa served as the Director of Clinical Services, where she oversaw seven clinical units and led numerous quality and process improvement projects that yielded favorable outcomes. Her extensive background in various nursing roles—including Clinical Nurse, New Graduate Orientation Coordinator, Unit Educator, and Patient Care Manager—has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of day-to-day clinical operations and the challenges faced by nursing professionals.

Elisa’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, all from San Jose State University. Her academic work focused on the effectiveness of resilience training for Patient Care Managers, further demonstrating her commitment to enhancing nursing practice through evidence-based approaches.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Elisa is deeply engaged in the nursing community. She is the founding President of the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California-Stanford Health Care Subchapter, the only healthcare-affiliated chapter of the Philippine Nurses Association of America. Furthermore, she serves as a Board Member for the Association of California Nurse Leaders, contributing to the advancement of nursing leadership across the state.

Elisa’s contributions to nursing extend beyond local involvement; she has presented at numerous conferences at the local, national, and international levels and has published works that elevate the profession. Her dedication to nursing leadership and advocacy has earned her recognition and respect among her peers, including being named one of the Top 50 Women CNOs of 2024. Elisa credits her success to the steadfast support of her family, mentors, and the broader community.

Elisa Nguyen’s remarkable journey in nursing exemplifies the spirit of Stanford Health Care’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate patient care. Her leadership continues to inspire others in the field and sets a standard for nursing professionals nationwide.

Learn More about Elisa Nguyen:

Through her online profile, https://todaysnurse.org/nurse/4151346 or through Stanford Health Care, https://stanfordhealthcare.org/health-care-professionals/nursing/about/nursing-annual-report/executive-leadership.html