Quick answer
Dacha DeGruy has nursing experience in emergency, psychiatric, and community-based care in New Orleans. She currently works as an emergency room nurse at University Medical Center (UMC) and a psychiatric nurse at START Corporation. Earlier, she was an emergency room nurse at Tulane Medical Center, a psychiatric nurse at Beacon Behavioral Health Services, and a CNA with UNI Agency and Ochsner Baptist.
Professional Summary
Registered nurse with experience in psychiatric, community-based, and emergency nursing. Skilled in patient assessment, medication administration, crisis response, patient education, and interdisciplinary care coordination.
Experience at a Glance
| Role | Organization | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Room Nurse | University Medical Center (UMC), New Orleans, LA | May 2026 to present |
| Psychiatric Nurse | START Corporation, New Orleans, LA | October 2025 to present |
| Psychiatric Nurse | Beacon Behavioral Health Services, New Orleans, LA | October 2024 to September 2025 |
| Emergency Room Nurse | Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans, LA | May 2024 to May 2026 |
| CNA | UNI Agency, New Orleans, LA | January 2017 to May 2023 |
| Med/Surg CNA | Ochsner Baptist, New Orleans, LA | October 2016 to January 2017 |
Current Roles
Emergency Room Nurse, University Medical Center (UMC)
- Performs timely assessments and monitors patients presenting with urgent and emergent conditions.
- Administers prescribed medications, initiates IV access, and provides nursing interventions according to patient needs and provider orders.
- Collaborates with emergency department staff to coordinate treatment, document care, and support safe patient transitions.
Psychiatric Nurse, START Corporation
- Provides community-based psychiatric nursing services as part of an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team.
- Conducts face-to-face assessments, monitors mental health symptoms, and documents progress using SOAP notes.
- Administers prescribed medications, including long-acting injectable antipsychotics, and monitors for adverse reactions.
- Educates clients on medication adherence, coping strategies, and psychiatric symptom management.
- Coordinates with interdisciplinary team members on crisis intervention, follow-up care, and community resources.
Previous Roles
Psychiatric Nurse, Beacon Behavioral Health Services
- Gathered information from patients and families to support individualized treatment plans.
- Documented patient information, service plans, treatment reports, and progress notes.
- Educated patients on coping mechanisms and provided outreach, advocacy, rehabilitation, and crisis support.
Emergency Room Nurse, Tulane Medical Center
- Assessed and stabilized incoming patients, administered prescribed medications, and initiated IV access.
- Maintained patient records and collaborated with emergency department staff.
- Coordinated transfers and discharge care for stable patients.
CNA, UNI Agency
- Assisted patients with activities of daily living, mobility, bathing, dressing, and meals.
- Monitored and documented vital signs and changes in patient condition.
Med/Surg CNA, Ochsner Baptist
- Assisted with daily living needs, ambulation, repositioning, and patient comfort.
- Checked vital signs, tracked intake and output, and reported observations to nursing supervisors.
Core Skills
- Psychiatric assessment
- Long-acting injectable medications
- Emergency nursing
- IV therapy
- Medication administration
- Crisis intervention
- Patient education
- Community outreach
- Clinical documentation
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Education
Associate of Science in Nursing, Charity School of Nursing, New Orleans, LA, May 2023. See the education page for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where has Dacha DeGruy worked as a nurse?
She has worked as a nurse at University Medical Center (UMC), START Corporation, Tulane Medical Center, and Beacon Behavioral Health Services, all in New Orleans, Louisiana.
What did Dacha DeGruy do before becoming a registered nurse?
She worked as a CNA. She was a med/surg CNA at Ochsner Baptist from October 2016 to January 2017 and a CNA with UNI Agency from January 2017 to May 2023.
What are Dacha DeGruy’s nursing skills?
Her core skills include psychiatric assessment, long-acting injectable medications, emergency nursing, IV therapy, medication administration, crisis intervention, patient education, community outreach, clinical documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.