About Us
Compassionate Advocates for Patients & Families
CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. is a Professional Nursing Corporation based in Long Beach, CA dedicated to ensuring no patient or family has to navigate the healthcare system alone.
Bridging the gap between healthcare confusion and healthcare confidence.
Our Story
Born from a Need to Bridge the Gap
CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. was founded in Long Beach, California on a simple belief: no patient or family should have to navigate the healthcare system alone. CareBridge exists to bridge the gap between healthcare confusion and healthcare confidence — bringing clinical expertise and deep compassion to every family we serve.
Licensed & Incorporated
Long Beach, CA
Licensed and incorporated in Long Beach, California
Who We Serve
LA & Orange County
Patients and families throughout Los Angeles and Orange County
Our Commitment
Patient-First
Every decision we make is rooted in what is best for the patient
Meet Our Founder
Ekua Hackney-Stephens, MSN, RN
Founder — CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc.
Education
MSN
University of California, San Francisco
BSN
Howard University, Washington D.C.
30+
Years in Pediatric Nursing and Case Management
10
Years in Telephone Triage Nursing
Ekua Hackney-Stephens earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Howard University and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She began her clinical career as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Burn Unit at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. She then worked for five years as an RN at Children's Hospital Oakland in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and nearly 20 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner in the sickle cell program — coordinating clinic care, case management, transfusion services, and clinical research.
Ms. Hackney-Stephens spent 10 years as a triage nurse and manager at the Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Call Center, managing geriatric, pediatric, adult medicine, and OB/GYN patients. She also served as a case manager for adult patients at Catalina Island Health for five years, specializing in helping patients discharged from mainland hospitals transition safely back home to the island.
Her commitment to advocacy is also deeply personal. Ms. Hackney-Stephens has supported family members navigating complex diagnoses — including stage 4 colon cancer — coordinating care across multiple providers, managing transitions between care settings, and ensuring her loved ones' voices were heard at every step. That lived experience, alongside her clinical career, is at the heart of what CareBridge stands for.
In Her Own Words
Why I Became a Nurse
From a young age, I always had a desire to help people. I was naturally compassionate and cared deeply about how others were feeling and what they were going through. I knew early on that I wanted to do something that would make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Becoming a nurse was a natural way for me to turn that compassion into a profession. Throughout my nursing career, I have had the privilege of caring for people during some of the most vulnerable and challenging moments of their lives.
I learned that nursing is about so much more than medical care. It is about listening, understanding, educating, communicating, and being there for people when they need someone in their corner.
Over the years, I became especially passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of healthcare. Too often, people leave appointments confused, overwhelmed, or unsure of what questions to ask or what steps to take next. I believe everyone deserves to feel heard, informed, and empowered when making decisions about their healthcare.
That belief is what inspired me to create CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy.
“My journey as a nurse has come full circle. A young person's desire to help others grew into a lifelong commitment to care, compassion, and advocacy. Helping people has always been part of who I am. Nursing gave me the opportunity to make it part of what I do. CareBridge is the next chapter of that calling.”
Ekua Hackney-Stephens, MSN, RN — Founder
Credentials & Licensure
Qualified, Licensed, Bonded & Accountable
Our advocates are Registered Nurses licensed in the State of California, operating under the standards and ethics of the nursing profession.
California RN Licensure
All CareBridge advocates hold active Registered Nurse licenses issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), ensuring the highest standard of professional accountability.
Professional Nursing Corporation
CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. is incorporated as a Professional Nursing Corporation, in full compliance with California Business and Professions Code.
Ethical Standards
We operate in accordance with the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and the standards set forth by the California Board of Registered Nursing, placing patient welfare above all else.
Alliance of Professional Health Advocates
Ekua Hackney-Stephens is a proud member of APHA — the leading professional membership organization for independent health and patient advocates.
Our Mission
Healthcare Is About People, Dignity & Peace of Mind
At CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc., healthcare is about people, dignity, trust, and peace of mind. Our mission is to provide nursing advocacy and personalized healthcare support that empowers individuals and families during life's most challenging journeys.
Our Registered Nurse advocates bring clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to every patient and family we serve throughout Los Angeles and Orange County — because no one should have to face a healthcare crisis alone.
"When families understand what is happening, they can make better decisions — and that changes everything."
Founded on the belief that navigating healthcare should never be a solo journey, CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. stands beside families every step of the way.
What Drives Us
Our Core Values
Compassion
We approach every patient and family with genuine empathy, treating each person with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Advocacy
We stand firmly in your corner — ensuring your voice is heard, your rights are protected, and your wishes are honored.
Partnership
We work alongside families as trusted partners, providing compassionate support and collaboration every step of the way.
Excellence
As Registered Nurses, we bring clinical expertise and professional standards to every aspect of our advocacy work.
Cultural Sensitivity & Language Access
We are committed to providing compassionate, culturally sensitive advocacy and can arrange language assistance and interpreter services when needed.
Our Foundation
The Four Pillars of CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy Inc.
Everything we do is built on four foundational commitments that define how we show up for every patient and family we serve.
Listen
Every story matters. We take the time to hear your concerns, goals, and experiences before anything else.
Understand
We see the whole picture — thoughtfully assessing your healthcare needs, history, and circumstances.
Educate
Knowledge builds confidence. We translate complex medical information into clear, accessible language.
Empower
Certainty through partnership. Together, we make sure you feel capable and ready to advocate for what matters most.
Ready to Have a Nurse Advocate on Your Side?
Contact CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We're here to help you and your family navigate healthcare with confidence and peace of mind.