Kimberly Perris

Dr. Kimberly Perris is Associate Professor and Program Director for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions. A proud “Double Don,” she earned both her master’s and doctoral degrees from USF. As Founding Director of an RN-to-BSN program, she led curriculum innovation and community partnerships to expand access to higher education and strengthen the nursing workforce. Her scholarship advances nursing workforce well-being, Caring Science–informed leadership, and role optimization to improve access and equity in healthcare systems. She has published on narrative medicine as a transformative strategy to address burnout and on innovative models expanding RN scope of practice in primary and ambulatory care. Dr. Perris is committed to humanized learning practices and immersive educational strategies that cultivate empathy, professional empowerment, and systems-level leadership in the next generation of nurse leaders.

• Workforce culture transformation and resilience-building strategies
• Primary and ambulatory care systems redesign to improve access
• Team-based care models and interprofessional collaboration
• Peer mentorship and leadership development in nursing education

• Nursing workforce well-being and burnout prevention
• Caring Science and relational leadership in healthcare systems
• Role optimization and scope-of-practice innovation for registered nurses
• Educational innovation, including humanizing online learning and immersive simulation (e.g., virtual reality to build empathy)

• University of San Francisco, DNP Executive Leadership, 2018
• University of San Francisco, MSN, Clinical Nurse Leader, 2015
• Associate Degree in Nursing, RN, 1991

• Founding Director of Nursing | Associate Professor, Cal Poly Humboldt (2019-2025)
• Population Health Nursing Director, Humboldt Independent Practice Association (2017-2019)
• Project Manager & Program Director, Sisters of St. Joseph Grant, Nurses in Schools Pilot, Humboldt Independent Practice Association (2016- 2018)       
• Population Health and Utilization Management, Department Manager, Humboldt Independent Practice Association (2016-2018)
• RN II, Humboldt State University, Student Health Center (2004-2016)

• University of San Francisco Dean's Medal of Honor, Masters Program 2015

• Perris, K., Donahue. E., Zytkoskee, A., and Adsit. J., (2023). "Narrative medicine: an interdisciplinary approach to address burnout among the nursing workforce." Humboldt Journal of Social Relations 1 (45);136-151.
• Jensen, J., Perris, K., (2021) “Accountability teams as a tool for peer mentorship for nursing and social work students. The Chronicle of Mentoring and Coaching, 5 (14).
• Perris, K., (2018) “Optimizing the RN role in primary care with standardized procedures.” View Point. Official Publication of American Association of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN).40, 3-7.
• Perris, K., (2018)  Advanced Access: Creating an Infrastructure for Success in Primary Care Doctor of Nursing Practice, (DNP) Projects.