Sonjia McVay
Hammond,LA
Summary
Compassionate PMHNP with over two years of PMHNP experience treating a diverse range of mental health disorders, including mood disturbances, anxiety, depression, psychotic disorders, ADHD, and substance use. Prior to PMHNP certification worked an inpatient mental health hospital for seven years. Exceptional communication skills and a strong ability to establish rapport with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members. Committed to providing holistic care that fosters recovery and promotes mental well-being. Proven track record of creating supportive environments that empower individuals on their journey to mental health stability.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PMHNP
DCS Family Health Clinic
01.2024 - Current
- Manage mental healthcare for patients from diverse backgrounds by completing initial evaluations and diagnosis with follow up visits including medication management
- Utilized telehealth technologies as necessary to provide remote consultations while ensuring adequate patient monitoring during periods of distance-based care.
- Provision of care in person and via telehealth
- Provide medication assisted treatment in substance use disorder
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Covington Behavioral Health
04.2023 - Current
- Conducted thorough psychiatric evaluations to accurately diagnose mental health conditions and inform appropriate treatment decisions.
- Maintained comprehensive, accurate, and timely electronic health records to support ongoing assessment and treatment planning efforts.
- Inpatient and outpatient services with treatment of children and adults
- Provide medication assisted treatment in substance use disorders
Nursing Instructor
North Shore Community College
Hammond, LA
08.2019 - Current
- Primary evening instructor in the LPN Nursing program with 26 full
- Teach 2 hybrid online/classroom courses per semester on a variety of topics including leadership, mental health, nursing foundations, and medical-surgical nursing
- Provide lab and in hospital clinical instruction to 10 students maximum with a realistic simulation of patient care scenarios and bedside instruction
- Evaluate, coach, advise students
Co-Founder/Administrator/Education Coordinator
Adult Day Healthcare Center of Hammond
02.2011 - Current
- Provided oversight for daily operations of the center licensed for 24 seniors with medical and mental health conditions
- As treatment member, developed and evaluated plans of care
- Created and delivered new staff orientation programs
- Wrote and revised policy procedure manual to assure compliance with state regulations
Charge Nurse
Northlake Behavioral Health System
Mandeville, Louisiana
07.2014 - 01.2021
- Provided compassionate care to adolescent and adult patients with advanced psychiatric mental health conditions
- Performed crisis interventions and compassionately calm patients during episodes of mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral distress
- Led group sessions with patients on the unit sharing their experiences and providing support to one another in a safe environment
- Precepted new nurses using evidence-based practices by establishing learning objectives and providing useful feedback
Administrator/Education Coordinator
A Community Alternative
Baton Rouge, LA
08.2009 - 08.2011
- Trained and completed new hire orientation for new team members during tenure
- Gained certification as an American Red Cross CPR/First Aid Instructor and provided training to staff
- Utilized advanced relationship building, communication, and interpersonal skills to build rapport and gain the trust of clients and family members
- Wrote and revised policy procedure manual to assure compliance with state regulations
Instructor
Baton Rouge Community College
08.2010 - 01.2011
- Medical Surgical course instructor, lectured, and provided clinical instruction to nursing students in the ADN Nursing Program on medical-surgical topics such as immunology, respiratory, etc
- Created lectures, learning objectives, and test questions to ensure learning objectives were achieved
- Answered any questions or concerns and made accommodations to meet the needs of students with different learning styles
Online Adjunct Instructor
University of Phoenix - Axia College
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Served as the college's Science 162 Health & wellness and Science 241 Nutrition Instructor delivering weekly lecture notes and holding weekly online discussions for students
- Responded to student questions within 24 hours and participated in discussion boards 5 days a week
- Posted midterm and final grades and provided progress reports to each student to review student strengths and weaknesses on a weekly basis
Associate Professor
Delgado Community College
08.2006 - 01.2010
- Lectured up to over 75 students in Fundamentals of Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing 1, and Nutrition
- Provided students with real-world medical instruction in documenting health histories, taking vital signs, and performing intravenous therapies/injections, assessment and direct patient care
- Mentored students, provided career advice, and conducted evaluations to test student learning outcomes
Education
Post-master’s certificate-PMHNP -
University of South Alabama
Alabama12.2022
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) -
Chamberlain University
Illinois 12.2021
Master of Science in Nursing - undefined
University of Phoenix
01.2004
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - undefined
Fayetteville State University
01.1995
Diploma in Nursing/Registered Nurse - undefined
Charity Hospital School of Nursing
01.1985
Skills
- Patient Care in person and via telehealth
- Online nursing instruction-Synchronous/Asynchronous Disease management, counseling
- Technical literacy
- Excellent organizational skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
Affiliations
- Member, American Nurses Association (ANA), Current
- Member, American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), Current
- Member, Tangipahoa League for Nursing, Current
- Member, National League for Nursing, Current
- Member, American Association for Mental Retardation, Past
Certification
- BCLS-American Heart Assoication
Additional Experience
Assistance Just for You | Co-Founder and Fiscal Director/Education Coordinator, Delta Home Health | Field Nurse, Humana | Telephonic Personal Nurse, MMD | Pharmaceutical Sales Territory Manager, HCA Highsmith Rainey Hospital | Registered Nurse
Timeline
PMHNP
DCS Family Health Clinic
01.2024 - Current
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Covington Behavioral Health
04.2023 - Current
Nursing Instructor
North Shore Community College
08.2019 - Current
Charge Nurse
Northlake Behavioral Health System
07.2014 - 01.2021
Co-Founder/Administrator/Education Coordinator
Adult Day Healthcare Center of Hammond
02.2011 - Current
Instructor
Baton Rouge Community College
08.2010 - 01.2011
Online Adjunct Instructor
University of Phoenix - Axia College
01.2010 - 01.2011
Administrator/Education Coordinator
A Community Alternative
08.2009 - 08.2011
Associate Professor
Delgado Community College
08.2006 - 01.2010
Master of Science in Nursing - undefined
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - undefined
Fayetteville State University
Diploma in Nursing/Registered Nurse - undefined
Charity Hospital School of Nursing
Post-master’s certificate-PMHNP -
University of South Alabama
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) -
Chamberlain University
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