Tanya Park

My program of research ... Living well with CPMI... has been informed by my clinical and academic experiences and the many people who I have connected with during this time. I am focused on improving the experiences of people with a chronic and persistent mental illness, particularly when they are in contact with nurses and healthcare settings. I am curious about how nurses can make changes to their practice to make a difference in the lives of the people they care for and with. I value relationships, courage, curiosity and learning.

In late 2023 I moved back home to Australia to work at James Cook University, College of Healthcare sciences. From 2014 to 2023 I worked in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. This almost 10 year tenure was an exciting opportunity to build on my program of research and work with many Professors in Nursing (and many other disciplines) from across the globe. My academic experience started in 2005 when I joined the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition at James Cook University, Queensland. I had the opportunity to teach with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. I held a variety of teaching and administration roles in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition at JCU including tutor, Subject Coordinator, Clinical Director, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Deputy Head of School.

In 2011, I completed a PhD investigating the effects of a healthy lifestyle program on weight gain for people with serious mental illness. This study resulted in two additional studies investigating the experience of weight gain from the perspective of the person and the family. 

My clinical nursing practice includes private and public settings (in rural, remote and urban centers) in general nursing, mental health nursing, and midwifery settings including crisis, community and emergency mental health services.