The International Nursing Knowledge Association (INKA), formerly NANDA® International, develops mission-centered partnerships with academic and healthcare institutions worldwide to advance diagnosis-centered nursing knowledge development, education, and research.
Strategic partnerships enable collaboration with global leaders, expand opportunities for scholarly engagement, and strengthen the development and dissemination of standardized nursing classifications and clinical reasoning.
INKA’s partnerships are designed to:
These partnerships align with INKA’s mission to steward evidence-based, diagnosis-centered nursing knowledge internationally.
In 2016, INKA (then NANDA® International) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to six universities, inviting proposals for a Scholars program focused on clinical reasoning and knowledge development.
An international panel of experts selected the proposal submitted by Dr. Dorothy A. Jones of the Connell School of Nursing (CSON) at Boston College. The program was designed to honor Dr. Marjory Gordon, Professor Emerita at CSON and the first President of NANDA International.
Following the selection, organizational and institutional leaders finalized partnership logistics, including funding, personnel, and resources. Dr. Jones was appointed Director of the Project.
Through this collaboration, the Dr. Marjory Gordon Center for Clinical Reasoning and Knowledge Development was established.
Initial program goals included:
The Program advances, educates, and disseminates nursing knowledge internationally, strengthening understanding of nursing’s contribution to patient, family, and community outcomes through clinical reasoning and refinement of nursing diagnosis.
Through educational initiatives, the Gordon Scholars program, the INKA Archives (formerly the NANDA Archives) at Boston College, and biannual conferences, practitioners and scholars participate in advancing nursing knowledge and dialogue related to diagnosis-centered reasoning.
As of 2026, the partnership has expanded to include:
Strategic partnerships strengthen INKA’s ability to:
Through structured partnerships, INKA extends its global reach while maintaining governance integrity and mission alignment.
INKA continues to explore mission-centered collaborations with academic and healthcare institutions worldwide.
Future partnerships will be developed through structured processes aligned with INKA’s strategic priorities and global knowledge development goals.
Institutions interested in exploring partnership opportunities are encouraged to connect with INKA leadership for further discussion.
To submit an expression of interest in future partnerships, please contact Dr. T. Heather Herdman, Chief Executive Officer at ceo@nanda.org.
To learn more about INKA’s partnership initiatives and related programs, visit:
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