“Violence is a health care issue that has a profound effect on our patient’s lives, their families and the communities we live in. Forensic nurses acknowledge the impact this has on our patients. Violence is traumatizing, hard to disclose and the care needed can be hard to navigate independently. We want our patients to feel seen and heard. We value these interactions, and work to provide trauma-informed, patient-centered care options that empower our patients. Our ultimate goal is to change the trajectory of a patient’s health and legal outcomes, and that is what makes me most proud to work at Fraser Health.

“I have worked as an emergency nurse for 18 years and this is where my understanding of trauma and violence as a health care issue began. In this work, I have been able to develop my understanding of the impact of meeting a patient where they are at, how effective communication affects rapport, trust, connections and disclosure, and the power of intertwining empathy within our work. People need to know they matter, and as health care providers we have the ability to truly change people’s lives, sometimes in an instant, but also with the facilitation of other helpers, supports and systems. It’s an incredible gift.

“In 2007, I became a forensic nurse examiner at Surrey Memorial and I haven’t looked back. I have grown in this role to know that violence is profound, but also that people can heal from [their trauma]. In this role, I have gone from being a casual employee to now a coordinator of Forensic Nursing Service. This work has propelled me into other opportunities like the creation of the first online learning module – “Human Trafficking – Health Don’t Hinder” for emergency health care providers in Canada, teaching for BCIT Forensic Health Science and Technology, volunteering abroad with children who were at risk or had been trafficked, and most recently co-founding the Human Trafficking Health Alliance of Canada.

“Our diverse team is comprised of registered nurses that come from all areas of nursing. We share a common interest in social justice, advocacy, and bring issues to light that many times go unnoticed, or unrecognized. As forensic nurses we have the ability to bridge the gap between the medical and legal system. On top of providing medical care, we also can provide injury documentation and sample collection during our examinations which may lead to testifying in courts as a fact or expert witness.

“Our team is constantly working on improving our ability to care for persons who have experienced violence. One of our team’s biggest achievements is the creation with the Embrace Clinic to address our patients’ ongoing medical needs. People who have experienced violence understandably have difficulty navigating already challenging systems and seeking out appropriate resources post assault. The Embrace Clinic mitigates these issues.”

“I often hear, ‘I don’t know how you do this work’, and although I acknowledge it is difficult to see and hear the experiences of our patients, this work also comes with the reward that our patients receive exceptional medical-forensic care.

“I encourage all health care providers to learn about violence as it affects every aspect of health care. For those that have a particular interest in forensic nursing, a good starting point is to talk with a forensic nurse to get a sense of how we do this work, and to explore the Canadian Forensic Nursing Association and the International Association of Forensic Nurses website.”

Thank you for the incredible work you do, Tara. We are so proud to have you as part of the family.

In Tara’s free time, she enjoys being out in nature, camping, biking, hiking with her family and friends. “I also have a deep love for animals and enjoy quiet moments while out walking my dog,” she shares.

We asked Tara to give us a health and wellness tip that she practices in her daily life to stay healthy at home and at work.

“Mental health is a top priority in all areas of health care. It is impossible to not be affected by this work. Make yourself your highest priority. Maintain your wellness in whatever way is necessary. There is no shame in this. For me this is a constant work in progress, but I continue to work through this to be healthy for me, my people and my patients.”