Debra D’Arcy, DNP, PHCNS-BC, NCSN-E

I have a passion for teaching in an active classroom, both face to face and online, and in the clinical setting. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Purdue University-Calumet Campus in Hammond, Indiana. I certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner from 1987-1992. I went on to receive my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Missouri-Columbia with concentrations in public health and school health. I am a national board certified Public/Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, as well as a Nationally Certified School Nurse, emeritus. I completed my Doctorate of Nursing Practice with a focus on Educational Leadership at American Sentinel University in April 2020. I successfully defended my research project on using active-learning strategies to educate nursing students about cultural competence.

I have worked as a registered nurse since 1982, with diverse nursing experience in critical care, telemetry, operating room, pain management, medical-surgical, home health, and school health, which included working with students with special needs, and as an administrator/lead nurse and practice specialist. My teaching experience includes baccalaureate, RN to BSN, LPN to RN, and associate degree nursing programs. I served as an American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator for BJC. I served as AHA Regional Faculty in Missouri since 2014. I possess current status as an AHA instructor for Basic Life Support (BLS).

I served as president of the Missouri Association of School Nurses as well as the St. Louis Suburban School Nurses Association. I am honored to be a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and Delta Gamma Tau Honor Society. I am a member of the American Nurses Association and the Missouri Nurses Association.

Education

• Doctorate of Nursing Practice—Focus on Educational Leadership, American Sentinel University, 2020
• Master of Science in Nursing—Concentration in Public/Community and School Health, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Purdue University, Calumet Campus, 1987
• Associate of Science in Nursing, Purdue University, Calumet Campus, 1982

Research Interests

• Teaching and Learning Cultural Competence using active-learning strategies
• Educating future nurses about health care related to LGBTQIA+ communities

Selected Grants

Past:

Evaluating the Effects of LGBTQ Education Program on the Attitudes and Knowledge of Undergraduate Students, Funded by Sigma (November 1, 2020 - October 31, 2021) ($4,480.00), Completed, Fall 2021, Other Debra D'arcy with CoInvestigator Alicia Hutchings, CoPI Sheila Grigsby, CoPI Tonya Haynes, CoInvestigator Amanda Finley

Unfunded:

Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention-Mobile Health Training Program (NEPQR-MHTP), Funded by HRSA Grant (July 1, 2022), Submitted for Review, Spring 2022, CoInvestigator Debra D'arcy with PI Sheila Grigsby, CoInvestigator Tonya Haynes, Other Keri Jupka, CoInvestigator Kimberly Werner

Selected Publications

Teaching Nursing Students About Cultural Competence. Research Project.

Selected Presentations

D’Arcy, D. M. & Jupka, K. (2022, October 26) Poster Presentation: Addressing Health Equity by Preparing Nursing Students to Serve LGBTQIAA+ Community Members, Haynes, T., Grigsby, S. R., Hutchings, A., Finley, A., Murphy, N. Institute for Public Health Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

D’arcy, D. M. (2021, October 20). Poster presentation: Teaching Nursing Students About Cultural Competence. In A. Fernandez (Ed.), University of Missouri. University of Missouri.

-              D’arcy, D. M. (2016, April 25). ”Best Practices for Reducing Pain during Vaccine Injections" In St. Charles Community College. Faculty In-service Day St. Charles Community College, St. Charles Community College, Department of Nursing. St. Charles Community College.

-              D’arcy, D. M. (2015, April 15). Best Practices for Skills Evaluations, 2015 Regional Conference. In American Heart Association. American Heart Association Regional Conference, Kansas City, MO. American Heart Association.

-              D’arcy, D. M. (2012, August 1). Seizure Disorders in the School Setting. In Missouri School Nurses Association. Missouri Statewide School Nurse Orientation Workshop, Jefferson City, MO. Missouri School Nurses Association.

Other Scholarly Activities

Charrette Contributor, Health Services Facilities Plan, Special School District of St. Louis County, 2006

Contributing Auditor, St. Louis County Department of Health Evaluation of Pediatric Lead Testing, 2005

Missouri Team Nutrition Survey, School Nutrition Policies, School Year 2003-2004, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services—assisted on the development, evaluation, quality assurance, and writing of the survey report

Honors and Awards

• Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 Faculty/Staff Advisor of the Year Nominee, UMSL Office of Student Involvement
• Spring 2023 Recipient of the 2023 Galaxy Award for outstanding use of Early Alerts in Spring 2023

Memberships

• American Nurses Association
• Missouri Nurses Association
• Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society