YVETTE DOWNING
White Plains,MD
Summary
U.S. Public Health Service Nurse Officer and Senior Clinical Registered Nurse with 14+ years of progressive federal and clinical nursing experience across behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, correctional health, acute care, emergency nursing, infectious disease, and clinical research environments. Proven leader with charge nurse and shared governance experience, recognized for delivering high-quality nursing care in secure, high-risk, and austere settings. Demonstrated ability to support nursing operations, mentor staff, ensure policy and accreditation compliance, and deploy in support of national public health missions.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Clinical Research Nurse
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, MD
04.2023 - Current
- Provide comprehensive nursing care on a locked 14-bed behavioral health unit serving patients with psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders.
- Serve in the Charge Nurse role, providing leadership, delegation, and real-time clinical decision-making for nursing staff.
- Deliver culturally competent, trauma-informed care while monitoring patient response to treatment and communicating findings to multidisciplinary teams.
- Support human subject research protection, protocol implementation, data collection, and continuity of care.
- Unit Practice Council (UPC) Chair (2023–2024), leading policy review, workflow improvement initiatives, and shared governance activities to improve unit practices.
- Conduct monthly UPC meetings, prepare written reports, address staff concerns, and recommend process improvements to leadership.
Deployed Nurse Officer
Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
New Hampshire
06.2025 - 07.2025
- Delivered direct clinical nursing care within a federal correctional health environment.
- Operated effectively in a secure, austere, and high-risk setting, adhering to BOP and IHSC clinical policies.
- Collaborated with custody staff, providers, and federal leadership to maintain safety and continuity of care.
- Demonstrated adaptability, resilience, and sound clinical judgment under operational constraints.
Registered Nurse
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, MD
10.2014 - 01.2023
- Provide direct inpatient nursing care to research participants in a high-acuity federal clinical environment.
- Perform comprehensive nursing assessments, IV insertions, blood transfusions, telemetry monitoring, and medication administration.
- Coordinate admissions and discharges while ensuring compliance with federal documentation and protocol requirements.
- Participate in shared governance and unit-based quality initiatives; previously served as Unit Practice Council Chair, driving improvements in patient care processes and staff engagement.
Registered Nurse (PRN)
Recovery Centers of America
Waldorf, MD
11.2018 - 01.2021
- Delivered nursing care to patients undergoing drug and alcohol withdrawal and rehabilitation.
- Conducted intake assessments and utilized opioid and alcohol withdrawal assessment tools to guide treatment protocols.
- Administered medications, vaccinations, and performed laboratory specimen collection.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care and patient safety.
Nurse Officer
U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
United States
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Serve as a commissioned Nurse Officer supporting federal public health, clinical, and deployment missions.
- Maintain deployment readiness, clinical competencies, licensure, and required certifications.
- Provide direct patient care and clinical oversight in accordance with USPHS standards, federal nursing scope of practice, and agency directives.
- Operate effectively within structured chains of command and interdisciplinary federal teams.
Registered Nurse
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bethesda, MD
10.2011 - 10.2014
- Provided nursing care to research participants with rare and infectious diseases.
- Supported protocol fidelity, administered medications and blood transfusions, and performed IV insertions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary research and clinical teams to ensure safe, effective care.
Registered Nurse
Howard University Hospital
Washington, DC
11.2011 - 10.2012
- Delivered emergency nursing care to acutely ill and injured patients in a fast-paced environment.
- Utilized critical thinking and rapid prioritization to support life-sustaining interventions.
Education
Master of Public Health (MPH) - undefined
Walden University
01.2028
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - undefined
Stevenson University
01.2010
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) - undefined
Montgomery College
01.2009
Skills
- Federal & Correctional Nursing Practice
- Behavioral Health & Substance Use Disorders
- Direct Patient Care (Inpatient & Acute Care)
- Charge Nurse & Clinical Leadership
- TDY / Deployment Operations
- Nursing Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Policy Implementation & Accreditation Standards
- Staff Training, Mentorship & Competency Validation
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration (TRIAD Model)
- Crisis Response & High-Stress Environments
Certification
- Registered Nurse (RN) – Active, Unrestricted, RN 187197
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Expires 2027-11
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Expires 2027-11
- Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Expires 2026-12
FEDERAL & MILITARY SERVICE
- U.S. Public Health Service – Nurse Officer (2013–2018; 2021–Present)
- U.S. Army – Active Duty (2001–2006)
- Army National Guard (1997–2001)
- Army Reserves (1993–1996)
Timeline
Deployed Nurse Officer
Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
06.2025 - 07.2025
Senior Clinical Research Nurse
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
04.2023 - Current
Registered Nurse (PRN)
Recovery Centers of America
11.2018 - 01.2021
Registered Nurse
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
10.2014 - 01.2023
Nurse Officer
U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
01.2013 - 01.2018
Registered Nurse
Howard University Hospital
11.2011 - 10.2012
Registered Nurse
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
10.2011 - 10.2014
Master of Public Health (MPH) - undefined
Walden University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - undefined
Stevenson University
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) - undefined
Montgomery College