DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, MSN, CPNP , Doctoral (Alumni)
Frederica Hughes, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, MSN, CPNP, graduated in 2017 with a DNP from the Medical University of South Carolina. Her research focuses on Reinforcing Mental Health Recovery Services for Veterans Living with Severe Mental Illness through Strengthening Family Support. Dr. Hughes’ area of clinical practice is mental health focusing on mental health recovery process for veterans’ living with mental illnesses.
She is certified as both a Pediatric Primary Care and a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Frederica became a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society in 2002, certified by the Pediatric Nursing Credentialing Board in 2002, and American Nurse Credentialing Center in 2007. She is a current member of the American Nurses Association and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
Dr. Hughes pursued a career with the Veterans Affairs Administration where she provided mental health counseling to Veterans’ with severe mental challenges. Prior to working with Veterans, she practiced as a pediatric nurse practitioner for over ten years leading a school based behavior modification program. This outcome resulted in reduction in school suspensions for students who participated in the program. She managed a foster care clinic for children whose poster presentation to the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner won second place. The poster was an exhibit of her clinic philosophy of what it means to work with children/families who are in the foster care system.