Monica Nijoka, BSRN, MHM

Monica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management, as well as Board Certifications in Post Anesthesia Care and Ambulatory Surgery Care. She is a member of AORN, Gastroenterology, ASPAN, Louisiana Nurse Executives, CAPA, CPAN, and Critical Care Nurses (retired). Monica was appointed by the Governor of Louisiana and continues to serve on the Board of Louisiana Emergency Room Network.

Monica’s nursing career in Louisiana began 46 years ago as a patient care assistant while she attended Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing in Hammond. After graduation she was rapidly promoted to the position of Charge Nurse for the Critical Care Unit. She served in that role for 10 years.

Moving through the ranks she ultimately served as the VP/CNO where she worked with the everchanging care models from HMOs, PPOs, and other managed care structures.

Monica has participated in over 400 surveys, including the Department of Health & Hospitals, The Joint Commission, American College of Surgeons for Surgical Oncology, Stroke & Breast Certification, CAP, & CLEA. She is actually enjoys the challenge of surveys.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Monica, serving as the VP/CNO of a 600-bed medical center comprising 3 campuses, was on site for the first 365 days of the pandemic. She addressed the requests from other hospitals for higher levels of care, while also answering the operational demands of the medical center. She met the challenge of the ever-changing need for resources and staff as the demand for intensive care unit patient beds rose from 22 to 79. And during this time surgery was limited to emergent cases only to preserve capacity for the increasing demand for beds for COVID patients.

For three years, Monica consulted for hospitals from Maine to California, assisting them as they prepared for The Joint Commission surveys. She also served as VP/CNO for a surgical specialty facility which was privately owned by Neurosurgeons.