Ihovana Aguirre
Morgan Hill
Summary
Compassionate and highly skilled Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner leveraging 3+ years of experience in primary care and over 19+ years in nursing care. Strong background in preventive health, chronic disease management, and patient education. Diagnoses and treats acute and chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, infections, injuries, and mental health. Collaborates with managing physicians as well as other specialists as needed
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Santa Lucia Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
- Provide comprehensive health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment services to patients across the lifespan.
- Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic health conditions, including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, infections, and injuries.
- Prescribe appropriate medications to support patient health and optimize clinical outcomes.
- Order, interpret, and evaluate a variety of diagnostic tests to support clinical decision-making.
- Conduct thorough health histories, physical examinations, and diagnostic procedures.
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs.
- Accurately dictate and document all patient encounters and clinical interventions promptly.
- Communicate effectively and compassionately with diverse populations, including patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other healthcare professionals.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Santa Lucia Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
- Provide outpatient psychiatric evaluations and medication management services to individuals across the lifespan.
- Demonstrated clinical expertise in psychiatric assessment, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology.
- Experienced in delivering comprehensive mental health care to a diverse patient population, addressing a wide range of psychiatric conditions.
- Proficient in developing, implementing, and monitoring individualized care plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals.
- Strong communication skills with a patient-centered approach to delivering compassionate, evidence-based mental health treatment.
- Licensed to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications in accordance with state regulations and clinical guidelines.
Certified Diabetes Care Educational Specialist
Santa Lucia Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
- Deliver patient-centered, evidence-based Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) utilizing motivational interviewing and teach-back techniques in both individual and group/class settings.
- Deliver evidence-based nutrition education to patients with diabetes, prediabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity to support lifestyle modifications and long-term health.
- Identify, assess, and collaboratively address patient-specific goals and barriers to improve health outcomes and support sustained behavior change.
- Proactively monitor and follow up with patients in-person, by phone, or through the patient portal to evaluate responses to therapeutic interventions and adjust care plans accordingly, in coordination with the interdisciplinary care team.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in diabetes management and nutrition, providing training, guidance, and educational support to care team members to enhance overall quality of care.
Administrative House Supervisor
Salinas Valley Health
07.2002 - 01.2022
- Responsible for staffing management, including handling sick calls and ensuring appropriate staffing coverage to support safe, high-quality patient care
- Promote patient satisfaction by addressing and resolving concerns in a timely and compassionate manner.
- Serve as a liaison between nursing staff, patients, families, and interdisciplinary care teams to foster collaboration and enhance care delivery.
- Ensure compliance with hospital policies and procedures, and provide ongoing education and support to nursing staff to maintain best practices.
- Mentor and support new nurses by assisting with unfamiliar procedures, demonstrating the use of new equipment, and offering guidance on clinical and operational protocols.
- Act as a coaching resource for charge nurses and a point of reference for updates related to hospital changes and initiatives.
- Exhibit strong communication skills, effective conflict resolution, and time management abilities to maintain a productive and supportive work environment.
Post Anesthesia Care Unit, RN II – Charge Nurse
Salinas Valley Health
07.2002 - 01.2022
- Serve as charge nurse during assigned shifts, providing leadership, coordination, and support to nursing staff.
- Collaborate closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other members of the care team to address patient needs and facilitate seamless care delivery.
- Monitor patient status continuously and initiate appropriate interventions to maintain clinical stability and provide high-quality, competent care.
- Transfer patients from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to designated inpatient units, delivering thorough and accurate handoff reports.
- Discharge patients following surgical procedures, ensuring they receive clear and comprehensive discharge instructions and follow-up care guidance.
- Initiate and manage IV infusion medications, including Neosynephrine, Nipride, OFIRMEV, and Propofol, in accordance with clinical indications and hospital protocols.
- Provide care for mechanically ventilated patients, including management of temporary endotracheal (ET) tube placement using a T-piece.
- Perform patient extubation in accordance with hospital policy and clinical guidelines to ensure safe respiratory transition post-ventilation.
Certified Diabetic Educator, CDCES – Inpatient
Montage
05.2016 - 10.2021
- Primarily responsible for providing comprehensive education to both outpatient and inpatient diabetic patients, focusing on effective diabetes management and self-care strategies.
- Collaborate closely with physicians and nurse practitioners to develop and implement the most appropriate and safe glycemic management plans tailored to each patient's needs.
- Facilitate diabetes education sessions in a classroom setting, delivering a structured four-week educational program to empower patients with the knowledge and tools for managing their condition.
- Conduct one-on-one patient visits, offering personalized guidance and support to ensure adherence to treatment plans, while assisting with appointment scheduling, access to resources, and ongoing education.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing Practice
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH12-2021
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Practice
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA12-2009
Associate of Science - Nursing Practice
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA06-2002
Skills
- Preventive care
- Patient education
- Health promotion
- Interprofessional collaboration
Accomplishments
Created and implemented a Food Rx program at Santa Lucia Medical Group that included educational components designed to promote healthier food choices and help manage or reduce the impact of chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
Certification
Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner - 12/2021
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) - 3/2024
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) - 2/2019
Basic Life Support - American Heart Association 2024-2026
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Santa Lucia Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Santa Lucia Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
Certified Diabetes Care Educational Specialist
Santa Lucia Medical Group
02.2022 - Current
Certified Diabetic Educator, CDCES – Inpatient
Montage
05.2016 - 10.2021
Administrative House Supervisor
Salinas Valley Health
07.2002 - 01.2022
Post Anesthesia Care Unit, RN II – Charge Nurse
Salinas Valley Health
07.2002 - 01.2022
Master of Science - Nursing Practice
University of Cincinnati
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Practice
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Associate of Science - Nursing Practice
Hartnell College