From Bedside Nurse To Director: Finding Room To Grow At Cleveland Clinic

What began as a three-year stay in Cleveland turned into an unexpected nursing leadership career, with opportunities to grow at every step.

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, we're sharing a special sponsored story from Cleveland Clinic about a nurse whose career grew from bedside care to leading nursing teams in the Neurological Institute. We also look at why Adventist Health is rethinking nurse competency assessments, how Ballad Health is strengthening hospital security, and the surprising gap between patients' and physicians' views on AI-assisted care. Plus, explore nursing jobs tailored to your location.

But first....

Explore Nursing Careers at Cleveland Clinic

Looking for your next nursing opportunity? Cleveland Clinic is hiring across a range of nursing roles, from new graduate and experienced RNs to advanced practice and nursing leadership positions.

Explore current openings and find a role that fits your experience and career goals.

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Nurse Spotlight: Kristen Vargo, DNP, RN, NE-BC

Sponsored Content | Cleveland Clinic

This article was provided by Cleveland Clinic as part of a paid partnership with Nurse Ascent.

When I moved to Cleveland, I thought I’d be here for three years.

My husband was starting law school at Case Western Reserve University, and the plan was simple: he’d finish school, and we’d head back home to Erie, Pennsylvania.

That was a long time ago. And I’m so glad life had other plans.

I started my career at Cleveland Clinic as a bedside nurse. Almost immediately, others saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet recognized in myself. I became a preceptor, then a charge nurse, and eventually co-chair of our shared governance committee. That’s where I discovered my passion for nursing leadership.

From there, I became an assistant nurse manager on my unit, followed by nurse manager of same-day surgery and the pediatric PACU—an area I had to learn from the ground up. For the past five and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Director of Nursing for the Neurological Institute.

I didn’t map out this career path. I was given the opportunity, encouragement, and space to grow into it.

That’s one of the things I value most about Cleveland Clinic: the opportunity to keep learning, take on new challenges, and discover what you’re capable of with the right people supporting you.

If you’re a nurse wondering whether there’s a path beyond where you are today, I can tell you there is. Sometimes, the next step isn’t something you’ve planned. It’s an opportunity you never imagined for yourself.

And right now, we have an exciting opportunity to be part of something truly transformative. As we prepare to open our new Neurological Institute building in January, we’re building teams that will shape the future of neuroscience nursing and help define what exceptional neurological care looks like for years to come.

Your next chapter might be closer than you think.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to grow, innovate, and help shape the future of neurological care, or any of our other specialties, check out this job link and apply today!

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Headlines in Healthcare

Adventist Health replaces traditional nurse competency fairs

Nurses' professional competency is critical to patient safety, prompting Adventist Health to overhaul its verification process. According to Becker's Hospital Review, the system scrapped traditional competency fairs after realizing they failed to identify essential skill gaps. Dr. Amy Buckingham noted that increasing failure rates in the new program have actually helped leadership better address specific educational needs.

Ballad Health implements new weapons detection

To address rising workplace violence, Ballad Health is installing weapons detection systems at all hospital entrances to better protect nurses and staff. According to a company news release, the system will identify prohibited items before visitors reach patient care areas. This initiative aims to improve security protocols while minimizing disruption to the entry process for guests.

Providers misjudge patient comfort with AI tools

Nurses should be aware that physicians significantly underestimate patient comfort regarding AI-driven clinical decisions, according to a report from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America. While 56% of patients report comfort with AI-assisted decisions that a provider can override, only 36% of physicians believe patients hold this view. This gap highlights a potential disconnect in how clinical teams approach the integration of AI into patient care workflows.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

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