DeShauna Washington
Nurse Director
Spring,TX
Summary
Visionary and results-oriented Director of Nursing with 23 years of progressive leadership in acute care and mental health settings. Expert in clinical operations, staff management, and strategic program development. Demonstrated success in driving measurable improvements in patient safety, staff engagement, and operational efficiency. Proven advocate for professional development, regulatory compliance, and policy advancement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Nursing
Recovery Solutions
10.2022 - 11.2025
- Led a team of 100+ nurse supervisors, nurses, and support staff in mental health units, fostering a collaborative, patient-focused environment.
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure safe, effective care and regulatory compliance.
- Achieved a 40% reduction in staffing turnover through targeted retention strategies and staff engagement initiatives.
- Reduced medication errors by 83% over the last two years by implementing rigorous safety protocols and continuous education.
- Increased nurse training and education participation by 77%, enhancing staff competencies and readiness.
- Established a peer review committee to promote patient safety, accountability, professional development, and robust reporting requirements.
- Created and launched a nurse preceptor program for graduate nurses, ensuring comprehensive onboarding and training for new staff.
- Maintained overtime percentage at less than 3% during periods of staff shortage through proactive workforce planning.
- Championed staff engagement initiatives, strengthening collaboration within the nursing department and among providers.
- Successfully lobbied for policy changes to improve patient care and nursing practice.
- Managed a multi-million dollar budget, optimizing resource allocation while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Advocated for mental health awareness and integrated mental health services within the hospital and community.
- Provided mentorship to junior nurses and served as a liaison for nurse educators.
- Developed and implemented nursing protocols to enhance patient care quality.
- Collaborated with administrative leadership on budgeting and resource allocation.
- Advocated for evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes across services.
- Oversaw compliance with regulatory standards and accreditation requirements.
- Oversaw and approved recruitment, hiring and orientation of new nursing staff.
- Monitored and evaluated nursing staff performance, providing feedback and guidance to support standards of care.
- Streamlined nursing operations by optimizing staffing schedules, resource allocation, and workflow processes.
- Facilitated continuing education and training programs to drive staff competency and professional development.
- Identified department issues to recommend corrective actions.
- Promoted a culture of safety by enforcing compliance with infection control policies and procedures.
- Implemented interdisciplinary rounding practices to streamline communication among healthcare providers involved in patient care.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning by promoting professional development opportunities for nursing staff, including in-house training programs, conferences, workshops, and online resources.
- Championed initiatives focused on improving workplace diversity to foster an inclusive environment that respects the cultural backgrounds of staff members and patients alike.
- Contributed to organizational strategic planning efforts by providing insights on nursing best practices, workforce development issues, and healthcare trends affecting service delivery models.
- Evaluated emerging technologies in healthcare, recommending appropriate innovations for adoption within the department to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
Nurse Instructor
STaRN Healthtrust Workforce Solutions
09.2019 - 10.2022
- Taught undergraduate and graduate nursing students in classroom and clinical settings.
- Developed curriculum and delivered lectures on acute care, mental health, and leadership.
- Supervised clinical rotations, emphasizing evidence-based practices and patient safety.
- Led workshops and continuing education programs for practicing nurses.
Nurse Manager, Acute Care & TBI
Nexus Health Care
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Managed operations of acute care and TBI units, overseeing staff and patient care.
- Implemented quality improvement initiatives, reducing readmission rates and improving discharge planning.
- Achieved and maintained CARF accredidation during tenure.
- Led nursing team to enhance patient care quality and safety protocols.
- Developed operational policies that streamlined workflows and reduced incident reports.
- Monitored compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring adherence to best practices in nursing care.
- Managed staff scheduling and time off to adequately staff nursing floors and allow nurses earned time off.
Registered/Charge Nurse – Acute Care & Stroke Unit
Methodist Willowbrook
07.2016 - 08.2019
- Provided direct patient care and crisis intervention in acute care and stroke units.
- Unified staff through improved communication and team-building.
- Coordinated patient admissions, discharges, and transfers to optimize workflow and resource allocation.
- Mentored junior nurses in clinical skills and professional development, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Assessed patient needs and created individualized care plans to address specific health concerns efficiently.
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
Education
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Executive Management
Chamberlain University
Addison, IL05.2018
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - undefined
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Addison, IL05.2015
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - undefined
Excelsior College of Nursing
Albany, NY05.2013
Skills
- Integrated care leadership
- Clinical training proficiency
- Employee engagement and retention
- Continuous quality improvement strategies
- Strategic planning
- Resource allocation
- Compliance management
- Data-driven performance reporting
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Affiliations
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- National League for Nursing (NLN)
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN) – State of Texas, License #836292
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- MANDT Crisis Certification
Timeline
Director of Nursing
Recovery Solutions
10.2022 - 11.2025
Nurse Instructor
STaRN Healthtrust Workforce Solutions
09.2019 - 10.2022
Nurse Manager, Acute Care & TBI
Nexus Health Care
08.2018 - 08.2019
Registered/Charge Nurse – Acute Care & Stroke Unit
Methodist Willowbrook
07.2016 - 08.2019
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - undefined
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) - undefined
Excelsior College of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Executive Management
Chamberlain University