Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
LANGUAGES
Awards
LEADERSHIP & COMMITTEES
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer J. Hughes

San Jose,CA

Summary

Compassionate Nurse Leader with 14+ years of psychiatric and pediatric nursing experience, specializing in adolescent behavioral health, crisis intervention, and staff development. Proven success in leading behavioral response teams, reducing incidents, and mentoring clinical staff. Skilled in trauma-informed care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and program implementation. Committed to advancing nursing excellence through education, advocacy, and innovation.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Psychiatric RN III – Behavioral Response Nurse

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
01.2023 - Current
  • Led crisis response across adult, pediatric and adolescent units
  • Implemented first Behavioral Response Team, reducing code greys and assaults
  • Trained staff in trauma-informed care and de-escalation

Adjunct Faculty – Behavioral Health Clinical Instructor

Evergreen College School of Nursing
01.2023 - Current
  • Supervised 10 nursing students in behavioral health rotations
  • Delivered curriculum and conducted evaluations

RN Consultant / Educator

RN Consultant / Educator (Self-Employed)
01.2016 - Current
  • Designed care plans and trained staff for clients with restricted health conditions according to California Licensing regulations
  • Conveyed treatment options, diagnosis information and home care techniques to patients and caregivers to continue care consistency.
  • Promoted patient and family comfort during challenging recoveries to enhance healing and eliminate non-compliance problems.

Vice President, Board of Directors

RNPA – Registered Nurses Professional Association
01.2017 - 01.2023
  • Oversaw recruitment, training, and performance management for 5,000 nurses
  • Led policy development, grievance handling, and political advocacy

Psychiatric RN II / Charge RN – BAP Psychiatry

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
01.2013 - 01.2023
  • Managed care for acute psychiatric patients; supervised unit operations
  • Served as Charge RN for 7+ years; mentored nursing staff
  • Educated patients, families and caregivers on diagnosis and prognosis, treatment options, disease process, and management and lifestyle options.
  • Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
  • Supported patients with developmental and emotional disabilities

Psychiatric RN – Travel Nurse

El Camino Hospital (HRN Services Inc.)
01.2012 - 01.2012
  • Provided care on 25-bed adult inpatient psychiatric unit

Pediatric RN

“My Friends” Pediatrics Healthcare Center
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Delivered care to patients from birth through adolescence
  • Managed complex medical needs and trained new nurses
  • Leveraged feedback and process improvement opportunities to create safer and healthier environment and increase patient satisfaction.
  • Conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluations of behaviors and conditions, and updated clinical supervisors with current information.

Education

MSN - Nursing Leadership & Administration

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
06.2025

BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
05.2010

BA - Speech-Communications, Minor in Public Relations

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
06.2002

Skills

  • Skilled in adolescent psychiatric assessment, crisis intervention, and implementation of trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate care plans
  • Experienced in staff training, performance evaluations, and mentoring to support professional growth and high-quality patient care
  • Proven leadership in supervising nursing teams, managing schedules, and fostering a collaborative, accountable work environment
  • Strong knowledge of behavioral health protocols, including suicide prevention, de-escalation techniques and psychotropic medication management
  • Committed to regulatory compliance, clinical documentation accuracy, and continuous quality improvement initiatives
  • Adept at coordinating interdisciplinary care with psychiatrist, therapists, and social workers to ensure comprehensive treatment

Certification

  • RN – California #794339 (Valid through 2027)
  • BLS Certification (2027)
  • Leadership Certificate – UC Davis School of Business (2023)
  • Pro-Act & Crisis De-escalation Training (2026)
  • Suicide Intervention (CASE Approach)
  • Epic EMR Proficient
  • Member – American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2011–Present)

LANGUAGES

Basic Spanish

Awards

Nursing Excellence Award – Santa Clara County (2024), Shining Star Award – VMC (2015) For reducing restraints and staff injury through escalation response planning

LEADERSHIP & COMMITTEES

  • Workplace Violence Prevention Task Force – Santa Clara County 2017-Present
  • Lavender Wellness Committee – Nurse Mental Health Support 2023-Present
  • Chair, Shared Governance Committee – BAP Behavioral Health 2014-2019
  • Collaborated with County Sheriff & CEO to implement Protective Service Officers

Timeline

Psychiatric RN III – Behavioral Response Nurse

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
01.2023 - Current

Adjunct Faculty – Behavioral Health Clinical Instructor

Evergreen College School of Nursing
01.2023 - Current

Vice President, Board of Directors

RNPA – Registered Nurses Professional Association
01.2017 - 01.2023

RN Consultant / Educator

RN Consultant / Educator (Self-Employed)
01.2016 - Current

Psychiatric RN II / Charge RN – BAP Psychiatry

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
01.2013 - 01.2023

Psychiatric RN – Travel Nurse

El Camino Hospital (HRN Services Inc.)
01.2012 - 01.2012

Pediatric RN

“My Friends” Pediatrics Healthcare Center
01.2011 - 01.2012

BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of British Columbia

BA - Speech-Communications, Minor in Public Relations

San Jose State University

MSN - Nursing Leadership & Administration

Capella University

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