Deirdee Hurst

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner leveraging 5+ experience providing inpatient behavioral health care, case management, and psychoeducational support across diverse patient populations. Skilled in psychiatric assessment, medication management, crisis stabilization, group therapy facilitation, and patient education to support recovery and symptom management. Experienced in coordinating care with interdisciplinary teams including psychiatrists, social workers, and case managers to develop treatment plans and ensure safe discharge planning.

Demonstrated ability to manage high-acuity psychiatric patients in structured inpatient settings while promoting patient safety, therapeutic communication, and continuity of care. Committed to improving mental health outcomes through evidence-based practice, compassionate care, and connection to community resources.

Registered Nurse (Psychiatry) at Georgia Regional State Mental Hospital (2024-11 – Present)

• Managed care for ~50 high-acuity psychiatric patients per shift (Challenge: safety and stabilization), resulting in effective crisis intervention and reduced escalation events, as evidenced by consistent patient stabilization in a secure inpatient setting.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams (psychiatry, social work, nursing) to coordinate treatment and discharge planning, improving patient throughput and safe discharge readiness across the unit.
• Performed continuous behavioral monitoring and rapid crisis response (Action), enhancing patient safety outcomes and maintaining compliance with inpatient psychiatric safety protocols.

Utilization Review Nurse/Case Manager at Kaiser Health Plan (2024-05 – Present)

• Performed high-volume utilization reviews using InterQual and MCG criteria (Challenge: ensure medical necessity), driving appropriate level-of-care determinations and reducing unnecessary admissions.
• Identified cases not meeting criteria and initiated denial recommendations, contributing to over $18M in annual cost savings through effective utilization management and LOS control.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to optimize care transitions, improving patient throughput and reducing delays in discharge planning.
• Coordinated post-acute placements (AIR, SAR, SNF, Home Health), ensuring continuity of care and reducing readmission risk.
• Advocated for patients while maintaining payer and CMS compliance, balancing quality care with regulatory standards and cost efficiency.
• Maintained accurate, real-time documentation, supporting audit readiness and organizational compliance metrics.

Registered Nurse (Obstetrics and Gynecology) at Kaiser Permanente (2023-05 – 2024-05)

• Delivered comprehensive antepartum and postpartum care (Action), improving patient outcomes by 55% through evidence-based interventions and patient-centered care.
• Streamlined clinical workflows and provider coordination (Challenge), increasing clinic efficiency by 69% and enhancing patient throughput and satisfaction.
• Educated patients on preventive care, treatment plans, and postpartum recovery (Action), improving adherence and promoting positive maternal health outcomes.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Intern - Models of Care Across the Lifespan: Individuals, Couples, Families & Groups at Helping Hands (2025-06 – 2025-08)

150 hours

• Facilitated individual, family, and group therapy sessions, improving emotional regulation and coping skills, as evidenced by increased patient participation and goal attainment.
• Applied family systems and interpersonal frameworks (Challenge: complex relational dynamics), enhancing communication and conflict resolution, leading to improved family engagement and therapeutic outcomes.
• Implemented evidence-based interventions across care settings, promoting behavioral change and psychological stability, with measurable improvements in patient-reported outcomes and engagement.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Intern - Models of Care Across the Lifespan: Adults & Older Adults at Helping Hands (2025-03 – 2025-05)

120 hours

• Conducted comprehensive psychiatric assessments in adult and geriatric populations (Action), addressing comorbid medical and mental health conditions, leading to more holistic and accurate treatment planning.
• Managed complex conditions including depression, anxiety, and neurocognitive disorders (Challenge), improving symptom stabilization and functional outcomes through evidence-based interventions and age-appropriate care.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams and caregivers (Action), reducing safety risks such as polypharmacy and falls, and improving continuity of care across settings.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Intern - Models of Care Across the Lifespan: Children, Adolescents & Young Adults at Ridgeview (2025-01 – 2025-03)

120 hours

• Assessed pediatric and adolescent patients using age-appropriate screening tools (Challenge: developmental variability), improving diagnostic accuracy and early identification of behavioral and mental health disorders.
• Implemented family-centered interventions and psychoeducation (Action), enhancing caregiver involvement and treatment adherence, resulting in improved follow-through with care plans and behavioral outcomes.
• Evaluated suicide risk, self-harm behaviors, and conduct disturbances (Action), ensuring early intervention and crisis prevention, with consistent alignment to safety protocols and escalation procedures.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Intern - Models of Counseling & Psychotherapy at Ridgeview (2024-09 – 2024-12)

120 hours

• Integrated DSM-5-TR criteria with CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing (Action) to guide treatment planning (Challenge: complex psychiatric presentations), resulting in improved patient engagement and symptom reduction as observed in follow-up sessions.
• Implemented trauma-informed, patient-centered therapeutic approaches (Action), increasing treatment adherence and trust, with measurable improvement in patient participation and continuity of care.
• Conducted comprehensive mental status and psychosocial assessments (Action), identifying risk factors such as suicidality and maladaptive behaviors, contributing to timely interventions and enhanced patient safety outcomes.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Intern - Advanced Health Assessment at Murray Med (2024-06 – 2024-08)

60 hours

• Conducted 60+ comprehensive physical and mental health assessments (Challenge: ensure accurate early diagnosis), resulting in improved diagnostic accuracy and timely identification of abnormal findings, as evidenced by 95% preceptor validation and reduced need for reassessment.
• Synthesized subjective and objective clinical data to differentiate normal vs. pathological findings, enhancing clinical decision-making efficiency and supporting evidence-based care planning across diverse patient populations.
• Presented detailed patient assessments and documentation to preceptors, strengthening interdisciplinary communication and clinical reasoning, with consistent feedback noting improved clarity, accuracy, and readiness for independent practice.

Master of Science in Nursing in Concentration in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – South College (2025-08)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Chamberlain College of Nursing (2019-08)