Amanda Hancock

I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Kentucky (UK). Nursing is a second career for me. I initially worked in higher education for many years, but I found myself being called to the nursing profession, and I knew it was to be a PMHNP.

My greatest area of clinical interest is working with neurodiverse populations, specifically ADHD and late-diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I have seen how life changing and validating diagnosis can be, and the way it provides clarity and context for a person’s life experience. The need for neurodiverse-affirming practitioners, services and support is paramount, and I want to be part of the solution.

Registered Nurse and Charge Nurse, Operating Room

UK HealthCare Chandler Hospital, Lexington, KY (January 2019-present)

• Oversee the daily scheduling of cases for 34 operating rooms at a Level I Trauma Center/Transplant center, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to facilitate seamless surgical operations.
• Manage staffing for breaks and lunches, as well as overall staffing for all operating rooms.
• Coordinate day to day operations of the operating room, troubleshooting facility, materials, instrumentation, and personnel concerns.
• Work in a multidisciplinary team to oversee all case postings, management of surgical emergencies, and facilitate flow of approximately 80-100 cases daily. 
• Provide care to patients throughout the lifespan requiring inpatient and same day surgical services
• Provide intra-operative care for elective, emergent, transplant, and all specialties of surgical procedures. 
• Provide comprehensive, continuous, and patient centered care which includes assessing, documenting, planning, implementing, teaching, developing, and evaluating a comprehensive nursing plan of care
• Deliver direct patient care, while ensuring patient satisfaction.
• Train and delegate duties to Operative Room Assistants.
• Facilitate collaborative environment among nursing staff and the team of physicians to increase communication, and enhance expected patient outcomes.

University of Kentucky (UK), Lexington, KY

Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, 9/2021- 5/2025

Honors and Accomplishments: First Annual Linda Dempsey-Hall Psychiatric Mental Health Graduate Nursing Scholarship Recipient; Melva Jo Hendrix UK College of Nursing Graduate Scholarship Recipient

DNP Project Title: Evaluating Preoperative Care Providers' Perceptions of the Autism Support Checklist for Surgical Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Clinical Experience: UK Student Behavioral Health, UK Developmental Pediatrics, UK Behavioral Health and Psychiatry Clinic-Fountain Court, UK Phyllis D. Corbitt Community Health Center, Bluegrass Community Health Center, Eastern State Hospital

Capella University, Minneapolis, MN

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduated June 2021

Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington, KY

Associates of Science in Nursing, 9/2018-5/2019

Honors and Accomplishments: Bluegrass Chapter of the Kentucky Nurses Association Karen Tufts Student Nurse Award Recipient 2019

Leadership:  Class Officer, Curriculum Representative

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY

Masters of Arts; Human Services with emphasis in Student Personnel Services, graduated May 2005

Research: Pet Facilitated Therapy

• 21 graduate credit hours in mental health counseling

Bachelor of Arts; Public Relations, graduated May 2003

Honors and Accomplishments: Outstanding Senior in a Student Organization Award 

Leadership:  Vice President of Philanthropy for Junior Panhellenic, Risk Management Officer Pi Beta Phi sorority