Elaine Darst, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, RN

Elaine Darst is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, focused on supporting the BSN and MN programs, with extensive teaching experience in mental health nursing. Her philosophy centers on the strength it takes to seek mental health assistance and capitalizing on individuals' positive personal qualities to support growth. Dr. Darst has extensive experience as a clinical nurse specialist and counselor.

Her work focuses on veteran-centered care curriculum integration and faculty development through an academic-practice partnership between the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and UMN School of Nursing. Dr. Darst is a leader in veteran-centered healthcare education, presenting nationally and internationally on the topic.

Dr. Darst's recent research examines topics like the Ambulatory Dedicated Education Unit model as an academic practice partnership example and incorporating veteran-centered exemplars into prelicensure nursing curricula. Her earlier work explored sexuality and nursing care after prostatectomy.

PhD, University of Missouri - Kansas City

MA, University of Missouri - Kansas City
Major: Counseling and Guidance

MN, University of Florida
Major: Nursing (Psychiatric)

BSN, University of Kansas

• Advanced Practice Nurse, Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Registered Nurse, Minnesota Board of Nursing

• American Association for Counseling and Development
• American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association
• American Psychological Association
• International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
• Midwest Nursing Research Society
• Sigma Theta Tau

Benike, L., Darst, E., Witwer, S., Enos, M., Flaten, C., Bartley, L. H., Kubat, B., & Foote, J. (2023). The Ambulatory Dedicated Education Unit (DEU): An important example of academic practice partnership in ambulatory care. Journal of Professional Nursing, 45, 64-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.01.009 

Champlin, B., Linck, R., Darst, E., Foley, B., Reuer, B., & Hammill, C. (2017). Veteran-centered exemplars in a prelicensure nursing program curriculum. Nurse Educator, 42(5), 255-258. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000000395 

Gapp, N., Weber, J., Monsen, K., & Darst, E. (2015). Feasibility of using the Omaha System for assessment to determine optimal living situation for persons with severe and persistent mental illness. Annals of Psychiatry and Mental Health, JSciMedCentral, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.47739/2374-0124/1026

Darst, E. H. (2007). Sexuality and prostatectomy: Nursing assessment and intervention. Urologic Nursing, 27(6), 534-541.

Award: Cultural Immersion Service Learning in Public Health Nur
Principal Investigator: Krichbaum, Kathleen Elaine
Sponsoring Organization: USDE Office of Postsecondary Education
Award Dates: 2008 - 2013