Jennifer M. A. Bernardo, MN, BSN, RN, Caritas Coach®
Care at Home – NCAL Continuum, Greater Sacramento
Watson Caring Science Institute Caritas Coach®
Caritas Colleague
With over 30 years of nursing experience, Jennifer has served in diverse roles across healthcare settings, from frontline, education to leadership. She currently supports the Quality team at Kaiser Permanente NCAL Care at Home in Greater Sacramento, guiding home care staff in delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
Born and raised in Guam, Jennifer is of Chamoru and Filipino descent. Her cultural heritage profoundly shapes her identity and leadership. Guided by faith, hope, and love, her belief in God grounds her journey as a nurse, mother, and community member.
Jennifer earned her BSN from the University of Guam, where she revived the Student Nurses Association chapter. She later earned her Master of Nursing from the University of Washington, specializing in Community Health Nursing with a focus on Program and Policy Development. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Management. She is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified, an Associate Improvement Advisor, and a Mental Health Advocate. Her leadership in emotional health in home health was highlighted at the 2019 International Caritas Consortium.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has led initiatives in clinical orientation, education, mentoring, and performance improvement. A passionate proponent of heart-centered care, Jennifer has been immersed in Dr. Jean Watson’s Caring Science and HeartMath® for over a decade. She has introduced these transformative practices to frontline clinicians working in the intimate setting of patients’ homes, promoting presence, compassion, and respect. Her journey with Caring Science began 30 years ago in Pohnpei at the American Pacific Nurse Leaders Council, where she first encountered Dr. Jean Watson—an experience that continues to influence her personal and professional philosophy. At Kaiser Permanente, she has deepened this commitment, aligning her work with her most deeply held values.
Outside of work, Jennifer is a mother of three and a soccer enthusiast. She enjoys reading, traveling, and being near the ocean. Known as “the historian” by family and colleagues, is a reflection of her deep gratitude for meaningful connections and the stories that shape us.
Although she once aspired to be a cardiothoracic surgeon, Jennifer believes nursing chose her. She sees her work as a sacred ministry in service to others and feels blessed to walk this path.