Estevan Gonzalez, BSN, RN – DNP-FNP Student

Estevan Gonzalez

DNP-FNP Student  |  Registered Nurse  |  Wound Care & Ultrasound IV Specialist

My path to nursing started in a different place than most. I earned a B.S. in Nutrition Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where I also worked as a cancer research intern at City of Hope and led two student organizations. That foundation in science and community drew me toward direct patient care, so I became an EMT — working on ambulances in LA County and in emergency departments on the Central Coast. Those experiences cemented my calling: I enrolled in Seattle University's accelerated BSN program in 2023, earned my nursing license, and immediately began practicing as an RN specializing in wound care and ultrasound-guided vascular access. Now, as a DNP-FNP student, I'm building on that journey — conducting my own clinical research, mentoring the next cohort of accelerated nursing students, and preparing to serve patients as a family nurse practitioner. I'm bilingual in English and Spanish and passionate about providing culturally-centered care to diverse communities.
⬇ Download Resume (PDF)

Philosophy of Care

I believe every patient deserves to feel seen, heard, and understood — especially those who have historically been underserved by the healthcare system. As a bilingual provider fluent in English and Spanish, I am committed to meeting patients and families where they are, both linguistically and culturally. Healthcare is most effective when it is built on trust, and trust begins with genuine connection. Whether I'm placing an ultrasound-guided IV, managing a complex wound, or sitting with a patient to explain their plan of care, my goal is always the same: to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care that respects each person's background, values, and lived experience.

Education

Seattle University, College of Nursing

Expected June 2027

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP)  |  GPA: 3.8

Seattle University, College of Nursing

June 2023 – June 2024

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

  • Senior Practicum: Harborview Medical Center – Addiction Medicine Referral Improvement Capstone

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Sept 2018 – Dec 2022

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science (BS)

  • Vice President, AMSA (American Medical Student Association) — see Leadership
  • Vice President, CP SALSA — see Leadership
  • Chairman, SC3 Committee — see Leadership

Certifications

Registered Nurse – WA State License #: RN.RN.61595853.MSL
BLS Certified
ACLS Certified
EMT / NREMT EMT #: E160725  |  NREMT #: E3555758

Professional Experience

Current

Registered Nurse – Wound Care & Ultrasound IV Specialist

Oct 2024 – Present

Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill, Seattle, WA

  • Coordinate dedicated wound care in a three-nurse team, managing complex patients with wound vacs, interdisciplinary care plans, and hospital-acquired pressure injury reduction strategies
  • Led the implementation and training of ultrasound-guided peripheral IV and midline placement program, completing over 200 successful placements and improving patient outcomes and satisfaction
  • Manage 4–6 high-acuity patients per shift; perform focused assessments, medication administration, tracheostomy management, and care coordination in a Joint Commission-certified LTACH
  • Educate staff and patients on skin care, wound prevention, and best practices; collaborate with wound team and providers on individualized care plans

Prior Clinical & Healthcare Roles

OR Materials Coordinator Assistant

Nov 2021 – Dec 2023

Prime Medical Center, CA

  • Assisted with restocking of operating rooms and maintaining sterile field standards
  • Shadowed OR nurses during surgical cases, gaining exposure to perioperative workflows
  • Worked with VISION software for inventory and case tracking

Emergency Room Technician

Apr 2022 – Oct 2022

Sierra Vista Emergency Room (Level III Trauma Center), San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Assisted with pediatric care from 4 weeks old and up in a Level III trauma emergency department
  • Provided patient care within EMT scope of practice under the direction of attending physicians
  • Coordinated response of ancillary departments during patient surges

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Jun 2021 – Sep 2021

AmbuLife, LA County, CA

  • Transported patients safely in an ambulance across LA County
  • Worked with BLS providers to uphold collaborative patient care
  • Maintained ambulance readiness including sterilization, cleaning, and stocking

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Oct 2020 – Feb 2023

Loyola Medical Center, South Gate, CA

  • Performed rapid primary and secondary assessments, obtained vitals, and recognized clinical red flags for timely escalation to paramedic or medical control
  • Provided BLS care including oxygen therapy, BVM ventilation, hemorrhage control, splinting, spinal precautions, and patient positioning
  • Engaged with patients in Spanish, supporting bilingual care in a predominantly Hispanic community

Research

Summer Research Intern

Jun 2019 – Sep 2019

City of Hope National Medical Center, San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Research assistant in a non-small cell lung cancer laboratory
  • Conducted proliferation, migration, invasion, and wound healing assays
  • Presented findings at a research symposium

Research Assistant

Mar 2019 – Jun 2019

Center for Biotechnology, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

  • Researched the microbiome of bagged produce for agriculture companies
  • Performed DNA extractions, gel electrophoresis, and contamination studies on over 500 samples in a team of five

Leadership & Service

Founding APNI Mentor

Seattle University  |  2025 – Present

Accelerated Pathway to Nursing Initiative (APNI) Mentorship Program

Co-founded a peer mentorship program dedicated to supporting APNI students — accelerated one-year BSN students — as they navigate the demanding transition from graduation into working as registered nurses while simultaneously beginning DNP coursework.

  • Organized and hosted a 12-member Nurse Practitioner panel, giving APNI students direct access to practicing NPs across multiple specialties for career guidance and Q&A
  • Connected with and mentored dozens of APNI students one-on-one, providing support through a challenging transitional year balancing new-grad RN responsibilities with advanced-practice coursework
  • Provided guidance on clinical skill-building, time management, and professional development during the critical first year of nursing practice

Co-Vice President – AMSA (American Medical Student Association)

Sep 2020 – Dec 2022

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

  • Recruited community health providers to mentor and guide club members pursuing careers in medicine and healthcare
  • Designed and implemented weekly meeting agendas; coordinated guest speakers and networking events
  • Publicly spoke to 50+ students in person and via Zoom, fostering a pre-health community on campus

Vice President – CP SALSA

Mar 2019 – Dec 2022

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

  • Organized the largest weekly Hispanic dancing lessons on the Central Coast of California
  • Coordinated and collaborated with other universities to bring guest instructors and grow the program

Chairman – SC3 Committee

Sep 2020 – Dec 2022

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

  • Led regular meetings with the head of IT and the Dean of Cal Poly SLO
  • Analyzed data and properly allocated student technology resources across the university
  • Implemented the school-wide two-factor authentication system via Duo Authenticator

Clinical Nursing Experience

Senior Practicum

Harborview Medical Center – Burn Stepdown / Pediatric Trauma Unit

150 Hours  ·  Spring 2024

Medical-Surgical Rotation

Harborview Medical Center – Trauma Stepdown Unit

150 Hours  ·  Winter 2024

Community Health Rotation

Summit Community Center

150 Hours  ·  Winter 2024

Pediatrics Rotation

Seattle Children's Hospital

150 Hours  ·  Spring 2024

Mental Health Rotation

Swedish Ballard – Psychiatric Unit

150 Hours  ·  Fall 2023

Geriatric Rotation

Mount St. Vincent – Assisted Living / Transitional Care Unit

50 Hours  ·  Summer 2023

DNP Capstone Project

Hypochlorous Acid (Vashe®) Soaks for Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis in LTAC Settings

2025 – Present

Seattle University & Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill

Background

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) affects up to 50% of patients in LTAC facilities and increases the risk of hospital-acquired pressure injuries by 2.5 to 5 times. Evidence supports that structured skin care bundles improve IAD outcomes more effectively than unstructured care, and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties with minimal cytotoxicity.

Project Aim

Implement and evaluate the effect of adding a 3-minute hypochlorous acid (Vashe®) soak to standard IAD care on IAD healing and progression in adult LTAC patients, as measured by the Ghent Global IAD Monitoring Tool (GLOBIAD-M), compared with standard IAD care alone over 30 days.

Expected Impact

  • Reduce patient pain and skin breakdown in complex LTAC populations
  • Decrease nursing burden associated with IAD management
  • Provide a practical, evidence-based protocol for IAD intervention
  • Address a critical gap in IAD research identified by recent Cochrane-level evidence

Professional Goals

As I progress through my DNP-FNP program, I'm actively exploring the many paths available to family nurse practitioners. My clinical background spans wound care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, mental health, and surgical settings — and each rotation has deepened my appreciation for the breadth of primary and specialty care. I'm drawn to practice environments where I can serve diverse, underserved populations and leverage my bilingual abilities to bridge gaps in care. Whether in a community health center, an acute-care specialty, or a hybrid role that blends clinical practice with evidence-based quality improvement, my goal is to become a provider who makes advanced, compassionate care accessible to the communities that need it most.

Skills & Additional Information

Clinical Skills

Ultrasound-Guided PIV & Midline Placement Wound Vac Management Tracheostomy Care Medication Administration ACLS / BLS Sterile Field Maintenance

EHR & Technology

Epic Cerner VISION

Languages

English (native)  •  Spanish (bilingual)

Awards & Activities

Founding Member, Seattle University APNI Mentors