This article is part of a seven-part series featuring NC alumni who are finalists for this year’s Ontario Premier’s Awards. Karen Paschert (Nursing, former Mack School of Nursing, 1991) has been nominated in the Health Sciences category.
Thirty-three years ago, when she graduated with a Niagara College Nursing diploma, Karen Paschert followed her mother and aunts into healthcare.
Today she is Clinical Manager of the bustling Emergency Department at Greater Niagara General Hospital in Niagara Falls.
At every turn in between, a recurring theme in Paschert’s life has been overcoming obstacles in order to achieve goals.
Before she even entered Niagara’s nursing program, she needed to pass a college-level health science preparation course in order to build up her knowledge in the sciences. Then, as a single mother, Paschert had to figure out a structure of childcare and other supports so she could attend college for a vocation that would enable her to support a family.
“I had a really good college experience, some very supportive profs,” she said. “Being a single mom and raising a child while also going through nursing was a struggle, but Niagara College was very supportive and accommodating. They helped me be successful and finish.”
Graduating in 1991 — head-on into an era of government funding cuts and austerity measures — there were few job opportunities in Ontario hospitals. While many classmates went to the U.S. to find employment, Paschert landed an entry-level position in Niagara nursing homes. She rose steadily from floor nurse to charge nurse and eventually clinical supervisor.
In 2003, Paschert joined Niagara’s regional hospital network, and her next chapter of upgrading her skills and clinical knowledge in order to take on a succession of roles. The experiences included nursing assignments in ICU and emergency; critical care educator for the Niagara hospital network; clinical supervisor for the emergency department; and clinical manager in the in-patient Mental Health Unit
For several of those years, between raising a family and navigating a busy health care career, Paschert found time to study part-time at Brock University, graduating in 2014 with an honours BScN. A year later she returned to Niagara College’s Nursing program — but this time as part-time faculty member.
Having learned the lesson first-hand, Paschert is adamant about mentoring and encouraging those around her.
“If I can support my colleagues, that leads to a more positive workforce for RNs and RPNs, it leads to people finding joy in nursing, understanding why they became nurses,” she said.
“A key indicator is the ability to retain nurses. A big part of this is how you treat people. In the profession, we care for our patients and their families, but we also care for each other. That’s how the profession keeps going, being supportive and kind to our colleagues.”
Beyond healthcare, Paschert is equally passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). She has served on the Niagara Health DEI committee and was inaugural Chair of the Black History Month committee at Niagara Health. DEI is now formally captured in Niagara Health’s strategic plan.
“Niagara Health is doing a lot of good work around DEI, and my job as manager is to make sure I’m providing education opportunities for my team, having those challenging conversations with my team, and calling people out in real time when inappropriate things are said,” she said.
Paschert noted that she wants to make sure that nurses, especially internationally trained nurses, feel supported in an environment where many people don’t look like them.
“As a person of colour, I can tell you representation really does matter, as far as feeling comfortable,” she said. “I am proud to be a part of an organization that sees the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in health care and the impact this work has on our teams and the patients we serve.”
