In this episode, Karen and I talk about mentorship, relational practice, the importance of community and connection and her incredible journey in nursing that started through experiences as a patient. Karen is one of the most incredible people I know and I can’t wait for you to learn more about her.
Karen Lane is a Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Instructor with nearly 20 years of experience as a healthcare provider, and many years of lived experience as a patient. She has worked almost exclusively in the area of mental health and addictions where she has provided care to diverse populations of individuals and families and worked within a range of multidisciplinary teams. Karen holds a Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing from the University of Calgary where she studied the impact on family systems of a mental health diagnosis.
More recently, Karen has been teaching as a clinical instructor with Athabasca University in their Nursing program within the Faculty of Health Disciplines. In her teaching, she is focused on relational practice in an online environment, and providing trauma-informed education. She volunteers as a mentor with the University of Calgary's NurseMentor program, and also as a member of the Nursing Advisory Committee for Woods homes. She is a wife, mother of a 6 year old daughter.
Listen in as we talk about:
[1:55] The most significant experiences from Karen’s journey in nursing
[6:25] How being a patient influenced Karen’s approach to being a nurse
[10:50] What prompted her shift from clinical nursing to teaching and mentoring
[15:55] Educating nurses on burnout
[20:35] Using relational practice and trauma informed education with her students
[22:40] The positive impact her approach has had on her students
[34:55] The power that comes with sharing your story
[40:15] Karen’s favorite teacher
[41:55] What Karen is most proud of
Connect with Karen:
LinkedIn: Karen Lane https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlanecalgary/
Connect with Tiana:
Website: https://tianafech.com
LinkedIn: Tiana Fech
Instagram: @tianafech
Facebook: @tianafech
Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course
HOW BEING A PATIENT INFLUENCED HER BEING A NURSE
"The professions that attract those who are very heart-led give it their all; they invest all of themselves in it."
Karen's personal experience as a patient has profoundly influenced her approach to working in the field of nursing. Having gone through her own health challenges, she has developed a deep sense of empathy and understanding for individuals struggling with their well-being. Her journey allowed her to appreciate the importance of vulnerability and the need for support during difficult times.
She recognizes that when individuals are unwell, they require not only medical care but also emotional and psychological support. Her perspective has led her to value holistic care, acknowledging that health issues can affect various aspects of life.
Karen's privileged upbringing, with access to exceptional healthcare facilities, loving parents, supportive friends, and accommodating teachers, has made her acutely aware of the disparities in healthcare access. She understands that not everyone has the same advantages she had, and this realization has driven her to seek out and address gaps in care.
As a nurse, Karen is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care, taking into consideration the unique circumstances of each patient. Her commitment extends to working towards equitable healthcare access for all, ensuring that those without the same privileges she had are not left behind. In both the fields of nursing and teaching, Karen recognizes the importance of delving deeper into an individual's life, understanding the broader context of their well-being, and fostering an environment of curiosity and empathy in her practice.
EDUCATING NURSES ON BURNOUT
In her role as an educator and mentor in the field...