Quick answer
Dacha DeGruy earned her Associate of Science in Nursing from Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisiana, in May 2023. Her healthcare career began in 2016, when she started working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
Associate of Science in Nursing, Charity School of Nursing
Dacha DeGruy completed her Associate of Science in Nursing at Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans in May 2023. An associate degree in nursing is one of the education paths that prepares graduates for registered nurse licensure in Louisiana.
A Hands-On Foundation as a CNA
In October 2016, DeGruy began working as a med/surg CNA at Ochsner Baptist, where she assisted with daily living needs, ambulation, repositioning, and patient comfort, checked vital signs, tracked intake and output, and reported observations to nursing supervisors.
From January 2017 to May 2023 she worked as a CNA with UNI Agency. She assisted patients with activities of daily living, mobility, bathing, dressing, and meals, and monitored and documented vital signs and changes in patient condition. Her CNA work ended the same month she earned her nursing degree.
From Graduate to Registered Nurse
After earning her degree, DeGruy moved into registered nurse roles. She began as an emergency room nurse at Tulane Medical Center in May 2024 and added psychiatric nursing at Beacon Behavioral Health Services that October. She now works at University Medical Center (UMC) and START Corporation.
How Her Training Shows Up in Her Work
| Skill | Where she uses it |
|---|---|
| Vital signs and observation | Built as a CNA; used in emergency assessment and psychiatric symptom monitoring |
| Medication administration | Emergency department care and long-acting injectable medications on an ACT team |
| IV therapy | Starting IV access for emergency patients |
| Clinical documentation | Emergency records and SOAP notes in community care |
| Patient education | Teaching clients about medication adherence and coping strategies |
Curious how the CNA, LPN, and RN roles differ? Read CNA, LPN, and RN in Louisiana: what is the difference?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Dacha DeGruy go to nursing school?
She attended Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisiana, and earned her Associate of Science in Nursing in May 2023.
When did Dacha DeGruy graduate from nursing school?
She graduated in May 2023.
Was Dacha DeGruy a CNA?
Yes. She worked as a CNA from October 2016 to May 2023, first at Ochsner Baptist and then with UNI Agency.