Karen Clements

R.P.N., C.A.C.E., B.A.  M.A.
Assistant Professor – Psychiatric Nursing

Work

Karen Clements joined the Faculty of Health Studies, Department of Psychiatric Nursing in August of 2005 at the Winnipeg Campus, after teaching several years sessionally for the Department.  Karen is also an associated member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Brandon University. Karen has worked as a registered psychiatric nurse since graduating from the Selkirk Mental Health Centre Program in 1974. Her areas of work have included acute care psychiatry with exciting forays into community psychosocial rehabilitation, and consulting in First Nations communities. She held positions as ward psychiatric nurse, primary leader, and staff educator for inpatient psychiatry as well as research coordinator for the Victoria General Hospital.

Education

Karen’s credentials include a Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education (University of Manitoba 1986), BA in Medical Anthology (U of M 1994) and an MA in Anthropology (U of M 1997).  Karen is currently working on a PhD in the department of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary.

Research

Recent research projects include the Healthy Living Project, a community collaboration entailing the development of a wellness assessment tool for inpatient psychiatry, educational modules on healthy living, healthy living groups, and metabolic syndrome screening clinics at the Clubhouse of Winnipeg.  Karen has also been actively involved in collaborative work with the CRPNM developing their continuing competence and audit programs.

Current research interests center around using a critical social science lens to explore issues of personal recovery narratives in mental health, mental health recovery, and recovery-oriented mental health services.

Selected Awards

• Healthy Living Award (2008). Kinsmen Reh Fit Centre 10^th Annual Healthy Living Awards to the Healthy Living Project . In recognition of service to the community.
• Hero of Mental Health (2007). Canadian Mental Health Association.  In recognition of work in the mental health community.
• Lilly Neuroscience Solutions for Wellness (2005).  Financial award ($39,000) to the Healthy Living Project for research and development in the area of reduction of risk for metabolic syndrome in persons with severe, persistence mental illness.
• Duff Roblin Graduate Fellowship (1994 – 1992). University of Manitoba to support graduate studies.  In recognition of superior academic potential.
• Northern Scientific Training Program Research Award (1993).  Northern Studies Committee, University of Manitoba. To support thesis research in Northern Manitoba.

Selected Publications and Presentations (previous name McSwain)

Clements, K. (In Press). Participatory action research and Photovoice in a psychiatric nursing/Clubhouse collaboration exploring recovery narrative. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.

Clements. K. (Chapter revisions in press).  Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing in Acute Care

Settings and The Nursing Processes and Standards of Care in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. In Varcarolis/Halter/Haase/Watkins, Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, First Canadian Edition.

Clements,  K. (2012). Our Photos/Our Voices: The work of narrative in mental health. 29^th Qualitative Research Analysis Conference. Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Clements, K., Karpa, J., & Panteluk, L. (2009). Supporting the development of self-awareness in psychiatric nursing practice through reflective practice. Paper presented at the conference Engaging Reflection in Health Professional Education and Practice Conference. University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.

Clements, K. (2008). Community screening and programming; Healthy living educational modules. Paper presented in collaboration with Clubhouse of Winnipeg members at the conference Mental Illness and Metabolic Syndrome, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Clements, K., Karpa, J., & Panteluk, L. (2008).  Continuing competence audits: Accountability and action through reflective practice.  Paper presented at the   World Congress for Psychiatric Nurses, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Clements, K., & Quesnel, B. (2008). Screening for metabolic syndrome in persons with mental health challenges: Community and inpatient psychiatric unit examples.  Poster presentation at the World Congress for Psychiatric Nurses, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Clements, K., Fey, L., & C. (2004).  Self assessment of psychiatric nursing competencies for seclusion and restraint. Paper presented at the World Congress for Psychiatric Nurses, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Robinson, R., Clements, K., & Land, C. (2003). Prevalence, distribution, correlates and predictors of workplace stress among psychiatric nurses. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 41(4), 33 – 41.

McSwain, K. (1997). Panel on schizophrenia in First Nations. Organized, facilitated and participated in panel presentation at the Westman Real Problems/ RealSolutions: Practical Implications to Meet the Challenges of People Living with Schizophrenia and Other Mental Illnesses, Brandon, Manitoba.

McSwain, K. (1997). First Nations mental health: Connections.  In Jill Oakes and Rick Riewe (Eds.), Issues in the North Vol. II (pp. 149 – 155). Edmonton: Circumpolar Institute of the University of Alberta.

McSwain, K. (1997). Assessing the training needs of First Nations mental health workers in Manitoba. Unpublished master thesis, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, AMICUS No. 18489682.

King, J., McSwain, K., & Ried, S. (1986, July). A nursing family assessment program. Canadian Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 27(3), 12 – 14.

McSwain, K. (1991, December). If we’re professionals why are we on strike? The Canadian Nurse  L’infirmière canadiene 87(11), p.16 – 19.