Dr. Derek Hernandez joined Santa Monica College as a part-time nursing faculty member in Fall 2025, where he teaches Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. He also serves as a full-time nursing faculty member at a private university in Los Angeles, where he teaches Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and Public Health Nursing in both traditional and online learning environments.
Dr. Hernandez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a Master of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Indianapolis. A registered nurse since 2018, he began his career serving vulnerable populations through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and community psychiatric hospitals. These experiences continue to shape his commitment to evidence-based practice, compassionate care, and the preparation of future nurses.
Dr. Hernandez is board certified in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is also board certified in HIV/AIDS nursing through the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board (HANCB). His specialty certifications reflect his commitment to lifelong learning, clinical excellence, and advancing equitable, high-quality care for diverse populations.
As an educator, Dr. Hernandez is passionate about creating engaging, accessible, and inclusive learning experiences that support student success. He has extensive experience teaching in both face-to-face and online environments and is committed to using evidence-based teaching strategies and educational technology to enhance learning. He enjoys collaborating with faculty to develop innovative approaches to course design, learner engagement, and effective online instruction.
Dr. Hernandez is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIA) and believes that high-quality distance education expands access while maintaining academic excellence. As a Distance Education Trainer/Facilitator, he looks forward to partnering with colleagues to strengthen online teaching practices, support faculty development, and promote engaging, equitable, and student-centered learning experiences across Santa Monica College.