Tarnia Michelle Taverner, PhD, RN

Part-Time Instructor of Nursing
The philosophy that underpins my teaching has been informed by many years of experience and expertise as a nurse within critical care, anesthetics, senior care, leadership and management in complex healthcare systems. I utilize my advanced clinical skills and knowledge in all my teaching. I ground my teaching to ensure that patient-centered interdisciplinary care becomes embedded within the students' thinking and eventual nursing practice. My scholarly involvement with clinical experts in pain management, senior care and leadership informs my teaching, such that, students receive the most recent and up to date evidence-based knowledge.

Dr. Tarnia Taverner, in her most recent role, was the CEO of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Canuck Place provides care to children with life threatening illness across BC and the Yukon. Prior to her role at Canuck Place, Tarnia was Senior Director with Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) for BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH). In her role at BCCH, she directed the operations and administration of the ED and trauma departments, medicine/surgery, oncology/hematology and bone marrow transplant, vascular access and the nursing resource team. Before her role as senior director with PHSA, Tarnia was Clinical Director for Fraser Health Authority (FHA) with Delta Hospital, overseeing medicine, surgery, ED, ambulatory, endoscopy, respiratory therapy, residential care and volunteer services. Prior to her work at FHA and BCCH, Tarnia was an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia. Tarnia has presented her research at national and international conferences and has published in 20 publications and scientific peer-reviewed journals. In 2019, she received the Medal of Distinction from UBC, for her services to healthcare and the nursing profession. Tarnia has served as a director on the boards of PainBC, Ronald McDonald House BC, and the Canadian Association of Nursing Research (CANR). Tarnia came to Canada from the UK, where she earned her nursing degree from Guildford University, her Master’s Degree in pain management with the School of Anaesthesia at Leicester University, and her PhD in the School of Medicine at Leeds University. Tarnia resides in Tsawwassen with her two sons, George and Archie.

  • PhD (Faculty of Healthcare, University of Leeds, UK)
  • MSc (School of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leicester University, UK)
  • RGN Diploma (Faculty of Healthcare, Guildford University, UK)

Research Interests:

  • Virtual Reality for the management of chronic pain.
  • Neuropathic pain management
  • Neuropathic pain associated with burns injury
  • Pain associated with chronic wounds

Current Projects:

  • Virtual Reality for the management of chronic pain associated with a cancer diagnosis. Role: Co-Investigator. Primary Investigator: B. Garrett. Funder: HECHT Foundation.

Completed Projects:

  • Virtual Reality for the management of chronic pain in the home: a case series.
    Role: Primary Investigator​
    Funder: UBC School of Nursing
  • RNs Experience of seniors’ admission to an acute care facility
    Role: Primary Investigator​
    Funder: UBC School of Nursing
  • Neuropathic pain associated with burns injury: a retrospective chart review
    Role: Primary Investigator​
    Funder: BC Burns Foundation
  • Prevalence of Neuropathic pain associated with surgery
    Role: Primary Investigator​
    Funder: UBC School of Nursing

Awards & Honors

  • Inter Professional Collaboration Award - Runner up for Stabilization Care Provincial Health Services Authority (2019)
  • Centenary Medal of Distinction for Outstanding Contributions to the School of Nursing, UBC Vancouver, School of Nursing (2019)
  • Above & Beyond Award for Service Delivery Excellence, Nominated. Fraser Health Authority (2017)
  • Charter Mark Award. Chelsea & Westminster Hospital London. Pain Management Service. Highly Commended. Awarded by the British Government UK. House of Commons (1998)

Recent Publications

  • Fu, H., Garrett, B., Tao, G., Cordingley, E., Ofoghi, Z., Taverner, T., Sun, C., Cheung, T. (2021) Virtual Reality – Guided Meditation for Chronic Pain in Patients with Cancer: Exploratory Analysis of Electroencephalograph Activity. JMIR Biomedical Engineering. 6 (2) Apr-Jun. doi: 10.2196/26332. 2.
  • Tao, G., Garrett, B., Taverner, T., Cordingley, E., (2021) Immersive Virtual Reality Health Games: A Narrative Review of Game Design. Journal of Neuro Engineering and Rehabilitation doi: 10.1186/s12984-020-00801-3
  • Garrett, B., Tao, G., Taverner, T., Sun, C. (2020) Patients Perceptions of Virtual Reality Therapy in the Management of Chronic Cancer Pain. HELIYON. 6 (5). doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03916. 4. McPhee, M., Havaei, F., Li, C., Waller, D., Budz, B., Fitzgerald, B., Larmet, J., Taverner. T. (2020) Nursing Care Delivery Redesign: It Begins with the Right Data. Canadian Journal of Nurse leaders (In Press).
  • Xin, T,. Jin, W., Cruz, K., Gromala, D., Garrett, B., Taverner, T. (2018). A Case Study: Chronic Pain Patients Preferences for Virtual Reality Games for Pain Distraction. In Book: Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality: Applications in Health, Cultural Heritage, and Industry. DOI: 10.1007/9780-3-319-91584-5_1
  • Garrett, B., Taverner, T., Gromala, D., Gordon, T., Cordingley, E and Sun, C. (2018). Virtual Reality Clinical Research: Promises and Challenges. JMIR Medical Informatics. In Press
  • Garrett, B., Taverner, T. and McDade, P. (2017). Virtual Reality as an Adjunct Home Therapy in Chronic Pain Management: An Exploratory Study. JMIR Medical Informatics. 5(2) doi: 10.2196/medinform.7271 (co-1st author).
  • Redman K., Thorne, S., Lauck, B and Taverner T. (2016). “What else can I do?” Insights from Atrial Fibrillation Patient Communication Online. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 1-7. doi:10.1177/1474515116678103.
  • Taverner, T., Baumbusch J. and Taipale, P. (2016). The Normalization of Neglect-A Grounded Theory. Canadian Journal of Aging. 35(2); 215-228. doi: 10.1017/S0714980816000179
  • Taverner, T. and Prince, J. (2016). Acute Neuropathic Pain Assessment in Burn Injured Patients: A Retrospective Chart Review. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing; 43(1); 51-55.
  • Taverner, T. (2014). Neuropathic Pain Associated with Cancer Part 2: Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Management. International Journal of Palliative Nursing; 21(8), 380-384. doi: 10.12968/ijpn.2014.20.9.442.
  • Taverner, T. (2014). Neuropathic Pain Associated with Cancer Part 1: Assessment and Manifestation. International Journal of Palliative Nursing; 20(9), 442-447. doi: 10.12968/ijpn.2014.20.9.442
  • Taverner, T. (2014). Neuropathic Pain: An Overview. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing; 10(3), 116-123. ISSN: 1747-0307
  • Taverner, T., Briggs, M. and Closs, S.J. (2014). The Journey to Chronic Pain: A Grounded Theory of Experiences Associated with Leg Ulceration. Pain Management Nursing; 15(1), 186-198. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2012.08.002
  • Taverner. T. and Prince, J. (2014). A Retrospective Chart Review to Assess Nurse Screening for Neuropathic Pain in Post-Operative Patients, Using the 7-Item Douleur Neuropathic 4 (DN4), Incorporated within the Generic Pain Assessment Record. British Journal of Nursing, 23(2), 76-80. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2012.08.002
  • Garrett, B., Taverner, T., Masinda, E., Gromala, D., Shaw, C. and Negraeff. M. (2014). A Rapid Evidence Assessment of Virtual Reality Immersive Environments as an adjunct Therapy in Pain Management. The Clinical Journal of Pain. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000064 (Co-1st author).
  • Taverner, T. Closs, S.J. and Briggs, M. (2011). A Meta Synthesis of Published Qualitative Research Investigating Patients with Leg Ulceration. The Overlooked Neuropathic Component and Sequelae. British Journal of Nursing; 20, S18-S27. PMID: 22067932

Affiliations & Memberships

Memberships on scholarly societies, including offices held and dates:

  • Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) - Member (2018-2020)
  • Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association (CGNA) - Member (2011-2017)
  • International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) - Member (2009-2016)
  • Canadian Pain Society (CPS) - Member
  • Gerontological Nurses Association of British Columbia (GNABC) - Member (2009-2016)
  • British Medical Acupuncture (BMA) - Member (2004-2009)
  • British Pain Society (BPS) (2002-2010)

Memberships on other societies, including offices held and dates:

  • Canadian Association of Nursing Research (CANR) - Elected BC Representative to the Board of Directors (2009-2015)
  • PainBC - Elected Representatives to the Board of Directors (2011-2014)
  • Ronald McDonald House Vancouver BCCH - Elected Representative to the Board of Directors (2019-2020)