Karen Larochelle, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing
Since my first day in a TWU nursing classroom, I knew I wanted to return as an educator. It takes all kinds of nurses to care for the people of this world, and I enjoy walking with students as they start to believe in themselves. I am exactly where I want to be going forward.

Karen pursued broad professional and academic experiences over 14 years of practice because she believed that was the best way she could help students navigate their own nursing education and careers. She worked in medicine, long-term and end-of-life care. She obtained a perinatal specialty and studied women’s health. She taught students in various clinical settings, worked with young people onboard a sailing ship for three years, and reviewed care quality for regional and provincial stakeholders. In her PhD studies, she is exploring educational philosophy and sexual health education in Canada.

  • Master of Science in Nursing (UBC Okanagan; 2013)
  • Advanced Perinatal Nursing Specialty with distinction (BCIT; 2010)
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing with distinction (TWU; 2004)

Expertise

Nursing Philosophy and Education, Perinatal Care, Pregnancy Loss, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Sexual Health Education, Chronic Sorrow, Spiritual Formation in the Nursing Student.

  • Reimer-Kirkham, S., Astle, B., Ero, I., & Mooa, R. S. (Project Lead and Co-Leads). A human rights and equity-oriented response to the birth stories of families impacted by albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Intersectoral partnerships for enhanced health professions’ education. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Project Grant (#481405) (2022 – 2026).
    Role: Intern and co-investigator for Canadian data collection and coding 2024 – 2025
  • Western North-Western Regional Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, Innovation Grant, ($5,000). Principal Investigators: Wolff, A. & Jantzen, D. Co-investigators: Larochelle, K., Orr, A., Sawatzky, R., Stephen, T., Terblanche, L. Advancing Equitable Person-centered Care through the Novel Integration of PROMs into BSN Education (2024-2025). Role: Co-investigator (2024-2025).
  • Reimer-Kirkham, S. (Lead). Engaging adjunct clinical faculty to co-create educational tools for spiritual caregiving (Adjunct Innovation Grant). Role: Action team member (2024).

Recent Publications

  • Sharma, S., Mgijima, I., Larochelle, K., & Reimer-Kirkham, S. (in review). Reading gender through lived experiences of albinism in South Africa: A feminist analysis. Women’s Studies International Forum, (Submitted on June 18, 2025).
  • Reimer-Kirkham, S., Mooa, R. S., Astle, B., Ero, I., Beaman, L., De Waal, M., Ibhawoh, B., Imafidon, E., Kromberg, J., Leech, R., Miti-Drummond, M., Msipa, D., Rieger, K. L., Pallangyo, E. S., Senkoro, P., Sharma, S., Tettey, W., Ani-Amponsah, M., Aziato, L., Daklo, K. A., Dixon, D., Lang, M., Mazibuko, N., Mjijima-Konopi, I., Nesengani, T. V., Ohene, L., Terbanche, L., Tjope, M., Wiafe, B., Buyco, M., Strobell, E., Mokwele, T., Watts, I., & Larochelle, K. (2024). A qualitative study protocol on a human rights and equity-oriented response to the birth stories of families impacted by albinism in sub-Saharan Africa: Intersectoral partnerships for enhanced health professions’ education [Report]. Center for Open Science. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/83KMC
  • Liva, S., Gibson, D., & Larochelle, K. (2020). Postpartum blood clot / postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and infant temperature instability [Clinical Simulation]. CAN-Sim. http://can-sim.ca/

Affiliations & Memberships

  • IPONS International Philosophy of Nursing Society
  • WRNCASN Western North-Western Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing
  • NNPBC Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia
  • BCCNM BC College of Nurses and Midwives

  • NURS 212 Nursing Care of the Older Adult
  • NURS 213 Clinical Practice: Adult Health 1
  • NURS 322 Nursing Care of Childbearing Family
  • NURS 323 Clinical Practice: Family Health 1