Tara Shajan

Tara Shajan is a nursing leadership, psychiatric care, healthcare administration, and nursing education professional with experience in nursing management, organizational leadership, financial analysis, adult education, psychiatric services, and nonprofit leadership. Born and raised in India, she pursued nursing through the Indian Army after initial aspirations in aviation, serving as a cadet and nurse for eight years before relocating. She migrated to the United States in 2004, resuming her nursing career as a bedside nurse in New York. By 2012 she advanced to assistant manager, and by 2018 she earned her MSN in Nursing Administration along with an MBA in Hospital Administration. She progressed to nurse manager, then director of nursing at Lincoln Hospital with New York Health and City Hospital, followed by director of psychiatry at Catholic Health. She currently serves as Chief Nursing Officer at the New York State psychiatric center, a role she began in April, overseeing nursing operations, compliance, and multiple facilities including outpatient clinics. In addition to her clinical leadership, Tara Shajan is Vice President of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America, having previously served as vice president and president of its New York chapter, and holds roles in other organizations such as the Federation of Association of Malayali of America and Canada. She teaches at LIU Post during fall semesters, recruits graduates into psychiatric nursing, and has presented at international conferences including the International Congress of Nursing and Sigma. Her honors include the Johnson and Johnson award for leadership, a Walter Society award from England, Nurse Leader Awards, and citations from Long Island counties. She remains active in community volunteering and advocacy for nursing policy.