Aurea Vargas
Zephyrhills,FL
Summary
Dynamic and seasoned nursing professional with a Master's in Nursing Education and over eleven years of comprehensive experience across diverse nursing specialties, including case management, medical-surgical, antepartum, postpartum, labor and delivery, and primary care telephone triage. Expertise in patient advocacy and care coordination, with a strong track record of developing comprehensive care plans and managing complex medical cases. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve optimal patient outcomes while demonstrating adaptability, reliability, and a results-focused approach in fast-paced healthcare environments. Proficient in patient assessment, discharge planning, and resource utilization, ensuring high-quality care delivery.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
RN Case Manager
HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
07.2024 - Current
- Coordinated comprehensive care plans for diverse patient populations, ensuring continuity of services.
- Conducted assessments to identify patient needs and develop individualized care strategies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes and resource utilization.
- Monitored patient progress, adjusting care plans based on evolving health conditions and feedback.
- Managed complex cases involving multiple comorbidities, requiring close monitoring and coordination of various healthcare services.
- Collaborated closely with physicians to develop individualized treatment plans, supporting optimal patient outcomes.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates through effective case management and patient education on self-care techniques.
Ambulatory Primary Care Nurse
6TH MEDICAL GROUP, MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE
12.2021 - 06.2024
- Delivered direct nursing care and championed preventive health initiatives for over 3,000 Active Duty service members. Conducted telehealth triage, facilitated referrals, and seamlessly integrated evidence-based practice guidelines into nursing protocols to optimize outcomes.
- Fostered collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary team members to uphold patient-centered care and achieve optimal patient outcomes.
- Maintained strict adherence to safety protocols during patient transfers between departments or units, ensuring the highest standard of care and minimizing risks.
- Spearheaded infection control initiatives, identifying, developing, and implementing best practices for sanitation and infection management. Effectively communicated and executed these practices, ensuring the safety of all patients at a 100% compliance rate.
Director of Education and Training
51st MEDICAL GROUP, OSAN AIR BASE
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Managed team of 3 personnel and 46 instructors.
- Improved Medical Group readiness from 30% to 90% by implementing sim lab.
- Provided clinical direction, supervision, and ensured quality outcomes.
- Facilitated communication between medical and administrative staff.
- Led interdisciplinary teams to achieve optimal outcomes.
Director of Education and Training
92nd MEDICAL GROUP, FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE
06.2018 - 11.2020
- Supervised and managed 2 personnel flights.
- Created a medical contingency response plan, addressing currency gaps for 60 medics and nurses.
- Introduced the Medical Group's first virtual skills rodeo during COVID-19, ensuring clinical competency for deployment.
- Provided clinical direction, supervision, and maintained quality outcomes in nursing care delivery.
- Mentored nursing staff to foster professional growth and development.
- Contributed to budget development and financial planning for departmental operations.
- Advised senior management on healthcare industry trends and regulations affecting organizational operations.
Registered Nurse Educator
48th MEDICAL GROUP, ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH AIR BASE
06.2017 - 05.2018
- Oversaw the operation of the largest medical Education and Training flight for the United States Air Force in Europe, ensuring the proficiency, currency, and professional growth of 862 personnel.
- Spearheaded the Department of Defense's training site in the United Kingdom for Emergency Medical Training Paramedic refresher courses, developing 9 courses and successfully training 92 personnel with a 100% pass rate.
- Managed the internal continuing education program for 320 members of the Medical Group, delivering 64 lessons and granting 1.7K continuing education credit hours to nurses and providers.
- Pioneered the implementation of the first evidence-based breast pump course for mothers, resulting in the Medical Group being honored with the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Care award.
- Orchestrated simulation activities aimed at enhancing critical thinking skills among learners.
Clinical Nurse, Maternal/Newborn Unit
48th MEDICAL GROUP, ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH AIR BASE
08.2015 - 06.2017
- Provided care as primary RN to clinic: non-stress testing, triage, antepartum, labor and delivery, recovery, postpartum (LDRP), and neonatal patients on a 10-bed in-patient unit.
- Coordinated discharge planning for mother and baby unit with social workers, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists.
- Charge RN (Unit Shift Supervisor) - led an 8-10 member team; managed RN staffing/patient assignments, allocated resources, and provided knowledge/assistance during emergency situations.
- Streamlined patient transfers to British medical facilities and all aeromedical evacuation orders.
- Nurse Educator - preceptor and mentor to new team members/charge RNs.
- Childbirth Education Director; coordinated, scheduled, and instructed monthly childbirth seminars.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program Instructor for providers, nurses, and medical technicians.
- Medical Group Education and Training Manager - meticulously performed monthly audits on electronic and paper competency assessment folders, ensuring Joint Commission and Air Force proficiency standards.
Clinical Nurse, Maternal Child Care Flight
99th MEDICAL GROUP, NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE
01.2012 - 06.2015
- Acted as the Primary Registered Nurse (RN) overseeing a 14-bed Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) inpatient unit, encompassing antepartum, newborn nursery, and post-surgical gynecology care. Also served as a float RN for the Medical Surgical Unit when needed. Proficient in utilizing Essentris and CHCS for medical documentation, lab tests, and radiology procedures.
- Held the role of Charge RN, leading a team of 6-10 members. Responsibilities included managing shift schedules, assigning RNs to patients, coordinating patient appointments, and providing expertise, assistance, and resource allocation during emergency situations.
- Served as a Nurse Educator and Childbirth Program Manager, collaborating with interdisciplinary team members. Conducted monthly seminars, and provided instruction on emergency obstetrics scenarios to medical technicians.
- Worked in collaboration with lactation nursing consultants to ensure proper methods for newborn breastfeeding were implemented and maintained.
Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING EDUCATION - Nursing Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
El Paso, TX12.2017
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Orlando, FL05.2011
Skills
- Strong Clinical Judgement
- High Level of Autonomy
- In-depth Experience with Simulation Labs and Virtual Reality
- Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Proficiency with MS Office, AHLTA, Cerner/Genesis, CHCS, and Essentris, Midas, Medi-Tech
- Patient Education
- Health Assessment and Screening
- Risk Assessment and Management
Affiliations
- Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses Association
- Nursing Professional Development Association
Certification
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing RNC-OB
- ACLS
- BLS
LANGUAGES
Spanish
Intermediate
Timeline
RN Case Manager
HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
07.2024 - Current
Ambulatory Primary Care Nurse
6TH MEDICAL GROUP, MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE
12.2021 - 06.2024
Director of Education and Training
51st MEDICAL GROUP, OSAN AIR BASE
11.2020 - 11.2021
Director of Education and Training
92nd MEDICAL GROUP, FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE
06.2018 - 11.2020
Registered Nurse Educator
48th MEDICAL GROUP, ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH AIR BASE
06.2017 - 05.2018
Clinical Nurse, Maternal/Newborn Unit
48th MEDICAL GROUP, ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH AIR BASE
08.2015 - 06.2017
Clinical Nurse, Maternal Child Care Flight
99th MEDICAL GROUP, NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE
01.2012 - 06.2015
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - Nursing
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING EDUCATION - Nursing Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
STRENGTHS & CAPABILITIES
- Proficiency in nursing practices and procedures across various healthcare settings.
- Ability to design, implement, and evaluate simulation-based learning experiences.
- Skill in conducting thorough patient assessments to determine appropriate care plans.
- Ability to work closely with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
- Familiarity with telehealth platforms and technologies for remote patient monitoring and consultation.
- Capability to educate patients and families on treatment plans, medications, and self-care practices.
- Capacity to analyze complex patient situations and make informed clinical decisions.
- Knowledge of electronic health records (EHR) and data management systems.
- Strong verbal and written communication abilities for effective patient interactions and team collaboration.