The winding road to becoming a psychiatric NP

Derek Greenwood, DNP, PMHNP, received a Lois Price Spratlen Scholarship while attending the PMHNP program at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Derek Greenwood’s path to becoming a psychiatric ARNP has taken him throughout the state of Washington. From securing a multi-million-dollar grant to serving as a substance use counselor, Derek brings a broad range of experience to our profession.

Derek received a 2023-24 Foundation scholarship as a Doctoral student enrolled in Washington State University’s Graduate Nursing Program. He successfully completed his DNP program June 2025.

 “I have come to know him well and respect the dedicated person he is and the principles he embraces,” said Nikki Behner, Derek’s preceptor during the final semester of his program. “He is a fine individual and will be a valuable member of the Advanced Practice Nurse community. I feel privileged to have participated in his journey to Advanced Practice.”

As his doctoral research project, Derek researched the 2023 changes in the DEA x-waiver that eliminated existing barriers that often delayed access to individuals seeking immediate help with drug use but previously had appointments delayed until they could be seen in a family care or substance use clinic. 

These changes allowed prescribers to prescribe Suboxone at point of entry into medical care—the emergency room where patients first enter seeking help for opiate use. Working in collaboration with his supervising FNP preceptor, medical and administrative hospital staff at Klickitat Valley Health in Goldendale, Washington, developed the Emergency Department Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder (ED-MOUD), which began operations this year. 

Concurrently, Derek and a colleague founded a nonprofit organization to find funds to support the opening of the Gorge Recovery Center. He successfully applied for a $2 million grant from opioid settlement funds to find a location and begin operations of a center where persons in recovery can come to find fellowship and support, as well as information about treatment and resources. 

The recovery center will serve Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties with funding provided to operate the center for three years. The facility is critical for persons recovering from substance abuse who often feel alone and benefit from finding a community to support their sustained recovery.

Working on multiple projects reflects Derek’s diverse experience. He was an emergency room nurse in rural Eastern Washington prior to enrolling at WSU. He also worked as a certified alcohol and drug counselor in the state of Oregon, and served as an adjunct faculty member at Columbia Gorge Community College.