Karen Smith

Karen is a clinically grounded nurse academic and researcher with two decades of experience in emergency nursing, clinical trials, and tertiary education across regional and rural Queensland. Karen's career is driven by a commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes through evidence-based practice, innovation, and collaboration. Karen has contributed to research in diagnostic imaging, sepsis, traumatic brain injury, and nurse-led models of care, and has presented work through poster presentations, including award-winning work on improving End of Life Care in the Emergency Department as well as research on reducing unused cannulas in Emergency Departments. She has successfully coordinated clinical trials, including under the Australian Teletrial Program.

Through her academic role, Karen seamlessly integrates this depth of research and clinical expertise into teaching, fostering evidence-based, patient-centred learning and encouraging innovation and critical inquiry. She advances this work by mentoring students and clinical staff, translating research into practice, and supporting sustainable improvements in healthcare outcomes.