Biography
Shannon Starkey, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and assistant professor at the University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing. To her clinical educator role, she brings more than 16 years of experience as a clinician and nurse serving adults, children, and families in New Mexico. In addition to her academic and clinical roles, she has developed and led community-based mindfulness and resiliency programs.
She received a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish Literature and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Throughout her teaching, service, and scholarship endeavors, she has focused on improving access to integrative, trauma-informed care, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
Personal Statement
I believe healing happens through authentic connection, and as a clinician, educator, and advocate, I'm committed to advancing trauma-informed, integrative mental health care.
Areas of Specialty
Community Health | Psych-Mental Health | Trauma | Underserved Populations | Women's Health
Education
DNP, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 2021 (Psychiatric Mental Health)
BA, University of Missouri, 1999 (Cultural Anthropology, Spanish Language and Literature)
AAS, Santa Fe Community College, 2009 (Nursing)
Certifications
RN: Registered Nurse
PMHNP-BC: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Board Certified
Achievements & Awards
UNM College of Nursing Five Year Anniversary Award. November 17, 2025
DNP Outstanding Clinical Project Award, University of Massachusetts-Amherst College of Nursing, 2021
Nursing Excellence Award Nominee, New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence. 2018.
Dr. Eileen Hayes Memorial Scholarship, University of Massachusetts-Amherst. 2017.
Nightingale Nursing Scholarship, New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence. 2017.
Nightingale Hospice Nursing Scholarship, New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence. 2009.
Gender
Female
Languages
- Spanish
Courses Taught
Spring 2026: Nursing786: Complex Management of Special Populations for the PMHNP(created new course - first half of course)
Spring 2026: Nursing 796 Systems Thinking Healthcare Transform I
Spring 2026: Nursing 795: Advanced Nursing Fieldwork (revised course content)
Fall 2025: Nursing 785 Complex Mgmt of Adults PMHNP (created new course)
Summer 2025: Nursing 788 Advanced Practicum I (revised course content)
Summer 2023: Nursing 585 Adv Assessment Neurobiology
Summer 2022: Nursing 585 Adv Assessment Neurobiology(revised course content)
Spring 2022: Nursing 595: Fieldwork for the PMHNP
Fall 2021: Nursing 589: Advanced Practicum II
Fall 2020: Nursing 584: Integrated behavioral health care in common psychiatric presentations (revised course content)
Fall 2022-2024, 2025-present: Clinical Preceptor for PMHNP students
Research and Scholarship
Enhancing Therapeutic Alliances in Neonatal Care: Parents With Substance Use Disorders (2019-2021). Doctoral capstone project designed to improve the therapeutic alliance between neonatal nurses and families with substance use disorders by reducing stigma and providing education, including training in Facilitating Attuned Interactions, a therapeutic interaction model. UNM Hospital Neonatal Nurseries, Albuquerque, NM