Monica M. Surace
Sacramento
Summary
Highly personable candidate with over 20 years of experience in diverse healthcare settings, including ambulatory care, primary care, outpatient surgical services, rehabilitation, women’s health, and telehealth. Demonstrates strong time management, critical thinking, and interpersonal communication skills, with proven ability to make independent decisions within scope of practice while collaborating effectively in interprofessional teams. Self-motivated, proactive, and culturally sensitive, with extensive experience caring for Veteran populations across multiple VA facilities and participating in research and quality-improvement activities.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
LVN – Surgical Specialty
Department of Veterans Affairs
Sacramento, CA
01.2022 - Current
- Delivers nursing care to groups of patients in various Specialty Clinics.
- Assist surgeons with minor surgical procedures, ensuring patient safety and smooth clinic flow.
- Monitored patients during specialized treatments and responded appropriately to changes in condition.
- Applied clinical knowledge to assess patient symptoms, identify emergent needs, and make timely referrals.
- Coordinated perioperative care by scheduling appointments, managing the surgery schedule, and placing consultations through community care or external VA facilities.
- Provided cross-coverage support for the RN Care Manager within scope of practice.
PACT LVN - Community Based Outpatient Care
Department of Veterans Affairs
Oceanside, CA
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Managed daily schedules and coordinated video, telephone, and in-person visits across the care team.
- Observed, identified, and responded to patient needs related to nursing care, medication administration, and equipment-assisted care, while recognizing deviations from normal.
- Prepared, administered, and documented oral, topical, intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular medications, including immunizations and skin tests, in accordance with facility policies.
- Performed health nurse procedures such as EKGs, wound care, vital signs, and ear lavage.
- Provided patient, family, and caregiver education on self-management, prevention, and wellness based on individualized goals.
- Recognized emergencies and promptly initiated appropriate measures, seeking RN or physician support as needed.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses to ensure optimal care outcomes.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Conducted patient assessments to identify needs, track progress, and adjust treatments accordingly.
- Educated patients and families on health management, disease prevention, and medication adherence.
- Assisted in training new staff on procedures, protocols, and best practices for patient care.
- Streamlined documentation processes to enhance accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Advocated for patients' needs within multidisciplinary teams to optimize treatment plans and services.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Responded to patient requests with appropriate clinical and personal assistance.
- Took samples to complete diagnostic and routine assessment tests.
LVN – Surgical Specialty
Department of Veterans Affairs
San Diego, CA
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Served as Lead LVN in Urology and Orthopedics clinics, supporting Providers by overseeing and facilitating clinic flow.
- Performed routine nursing tasks in Urology, including catheter changes, Uroflow tests, post-void residuals, and Eligard injections.
- Assisted with procedures in Orthopedics, such as suture and staple removal, dressing changes, and joint injections.
- Provided circulating nursing support during minor surgical procedures in General Surgery.
- Prepared and maintained sterile fields, collected and processed specimens, and managed sterile instruments.
- Monitored patients before and after procedures to ensure safety and quality of care.
- Floated to additional specialty services, including Renal, Podiatry, Cystoscopy, and General Surgery, to meet staffing needs.
LVN – Ambulatory Care Center
Department of Veterans Affairs
Loma Linda, CA
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Performed diverse duties supporting all aspects of Ambulatory Care.
- Delivered age-appropriate care with emphasis on Women’s Health Services.
- Served as direct support to Primary Care under the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model.
- Assisted with clinic visits, exams, and treatments, working closely with RNs and Providers during procedures.
- Obtained and processed specimens, ensuring accurate culture collection, proper labeling, and timely delivery to the laboratory.
- Supported triage by addressing unscheduled visits and patient messages.
- Promptly recognized and responded to urgent and emergent situations.
- Maintained patient care equipment through visual inspection, quality control testing, and routine maintenance.
- Served as a preceptor, orienting and training new staff members.
- Floated to other clinics as needed to provide staffing support.
PACT LVN - Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Department of Veteran Affairs
Santa Maria, CA
2012 - 2016
- Performed multi-faceted ambulatory care duties under the PACT model, including clinic visits, exams, treatments, and support for ancillary clinics (Mental Health, Dermatology, Urology).
- Collected patient data, screened for changes in condition, completed documentation, and responded to urgent/emergent situations.
- Prepared and administered medications and immunizations per policy; maintained patient care equipment and supplies.
- Assisted Women's Health Clinic routinely and served as preceptor to new staff.
- Cross-trained for CVT clinics and provided telehealth support, including tele-presenting for CVT appointments, managing clinic flow, and supporting TeleWound and TeleDermatology via store-and-forward imaging and global med cart.
- Planned, organized, developed, and facilitated “New Patient Orientation” on a quarterly basis.
LVN - Inpatient Rehabilitiation
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
Bakersfield, CA
2012 - 2013
- Provided direct nursing care to inpatients enrolled in intensive therapeutic rehabilitation programs using a team nursing framework.
- Performed routine nursing tasks including medication administration, wound care treatments, specimen collection, and medication reconciliation.
- Supported activities of daily living in line with Functional Independence Measure (FIMS) guidelines, while working under RN supervision.
LPN Inpatient Rehabilitation
Altru Rehabilitation Center
Grand Forks, ND
2011 - 2012
- Provided direct inpatient nursing care focusing on medication administration, treatments, and plan-of-care implementation under RN direction.[2]
- Supported multidisciplinary team members as needed to ensure continuity of care.
LPN - Inpatient Rehabilitation
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
Miami, FL
2009 - 2011
- Provided inpatient nursing care including medication administration, monitoring vital signs, responding to treatments, and reporting findings to the RN.
- Followed physician orders and contributed to individualized plans of care under RN supervision.
Clinical Research Assistant
University of Miami, School of Nursing
Miami, FL
2003 - 2011
- Trained new staff on data entry procedures and regulatory requirements for clinical research activities.
- Implemented improvements in data tracking systems, enhancing efficiency of information retrieval processes.
- Participated in site monitoring visits, addressing any concerns or discrepancies related to patient enrollment or data collection procedures.
- Facilitated efficient organization of study-related documents through meticulous record-keeping practices.
- Supported investigators with the design and implementation of study protocols, ensuring adherence to regulations and ethical guidelines.
- Expedited study progress by overseeing timely completion and submission of required documents, forms, and reports in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate smooth communication between researchers, clinicians, and support staff.
- Managed study databases, ensuring accurate data entry, storage, and retrieval for analysis purposes.
- Streamlined data collection processes for improved accuracy and efficiency in clinical research projects.
- Provided training to new team members on proper procedures for data collection, documentation, and reporting in clinical trials.
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge of federal regulatory compliance guidelines.
- Collaborated with clinical staff and other healthcare professionals to support clinical trial data accuracy.
- Worked with principal investigator and sponsors to facilitate daily trial activities and comply with research protocols.
Research Assistant - Student Trainee
Department of Veterans Affairs
Miami, FL
2005 - 2008
- Assisted research nurses with data collection for Cooperative Studies Project 465: “Glycemic Control and Complications in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.”
- Assisted scientists by collecting and organizing laboratory data.
- Adhered to laboratory safety procedures to maintain compliance with quality control standards.
- Prepared samples for analysis by performing complex sample preparation tasks.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance workflow efficiency and improve service delivery.
- Organized files and documentation, contributing to improved organizational systems within the office.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Unitek College
Sacramento, CA2025
Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse
MedVance Institute
Miami, Florida2008
Associate of Science - Healthcare Administration
San Joaquin Valley College
Bakersfield, California1997
Skills
- BLS
- Advanced computer knowledge
- Electronic Medical Records (CPRS, EPIC, CERNER)
- Microsoft Office applications
- Basic web and graphic design
Accomplishments
- Reviewer - Comprehensive Review for the NLEX-PN Examination 8E, Elsevier; ISBN 9780443278891
- Transformative Nurse Training – Penny George Institute for Health and Healing (July 2013)
Affiliations
American Holistic Nurses Association June 2024
Certification
- Registered Nurse – California Board of Registered Nursing – December 31, 2026
- Public Health Nurse – California Board of Registered Nursing – December 31, 2026
- Licensed Vocational Nurse – Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians – December 31, 2027
Timeline
LVN – Surgical Specialty
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2022 - Current
PACT LVN - Community Based Outpatient Care
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2020 - 01.2022
LVN – Surgical Specialty
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2019 - 01.2020
LVN – Ambulatory Care Center
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2016 - 01.2018
PACT LVN - Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Department of Veteran Affairs
2012 - 2016
LVN - Inpatient Rehabilitiation
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
2012 - 2013
LPN Inpatient Rehabilitation
Altru Rehabilitation Center
2011 - 2012
LPN - Inpatient Rehabilitation
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
2009 - 2011
Clinical Research Assistant
University of Miami, School of Nursing
2003 - 2011
Research Assistant - Student Trainee
Department of Veterans Affairs
2005 - 2008
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Unitek College
Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse
MedVance Institute
Associate of Science - Healthcare Administration
San Joaquin Valley College
Professional Affiliation
- Americal Holistic Nurses Association - Member since 2024