FAONL Spotlight: Larissa Africa
Larissa Africa, MBA, RN, FAONL, FAAN, began her nursing leadership journey for the very program from which she had graduated, the first nurse residency program (NRP) at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Ms. Africa created the processes and structures for replicating and implementing the NRP beyond the hospital and quickly ascended to several executive positions. Ms. Africa conceptualized and executed a nationwide NRP implementation strategy and conceived a nursing workforce development model beyond new graduate nurses, transforming how healthcare organizations build their workforce. Her commitment to serve the nursing profession extends beyond employment.
She co-founded two non-profit organizations: the Versant Center for the Advancement of Nursing, for which she is Executive Director; and The National Collaborative for Transition to Practice, for which she is Chief Executive Officer. She also is the President & CEO for Versant Healthcare Competency Solutions. Ms. Africa also serves as a board member for the AONL Foundation and Corporate Advisory Council chair, and is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.