David huntley

Registered Nurse & Site Director – Cowichan District Hospital

After high school, I attended Mount Royal University in Calgary for general studies. I found a love for science and biomechanics and transferred into the Kinesiology Program thinking that I wanted to pursue a career in Physiotherapy. During this time I started a part time job as a care aid at a nursing home to help support my school fees. From that position I found that I had a talent for connecting with people and personal satisfaction with helping people. It was suggested that I look at a Nursing Degree as an option. I was fortunate to have the ability to shadow a Nurse in the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. With the versatility, the demand, and the prospects of a guaranteed job post schooling I decided to change paths and enter the Nursing program. As part of the Nursing program you have a requirement to do practical placements in various healthcare settings. I found that I had a passion for the Emergency Department and the Operating Room. As part of the program I was fortunate to have the operating room as my final 4th year placement and was accepted into the perioperative program immediately following the completion of my degree.

Following the completion of the perioperative program I was able to work in multiple different operative specialties each with unique opportunities to learn and improve peoples health. I did wonder at that time what it would have been like had I been selected for the Emergency Department as a 4th year focus and when an opportunity came up for that specialty training I applied as was lucky to be selected. I completed an in hospital program and the Rocky View Hospital in Calgary where I was able to practice for nearly half a year prior to a decision to relocate to Vancouver Island.

Joining Island Health there was a need for perioperative nurses in Duncan and CDH. While at CDH I have had the opportunity to further increase my education and grow through the leadership pathway of healthcare. I was supported to apply and pass my Canadian Nursing Association specialty certification as an expert in perioperative nursing. This was at a time where I had transitioned to the leadership role of Clinical Nurse Leader within the Surgical Services area responsible for Ambulatory Care, Endoscopy, Surgical Day Care, Operating Room, Post Anesthetic Care Unit, and the Material Reprocessing Department. During this time I continued my learning in Lean Design, and leadership growth.

An opportunity came forward to look at increasing capacity within the Cowichan Valley for total joint surgery patients who were waiting much longer that clinical benchmark. I was fortunate to be selected for this position where I successfully implemented lean methodology and doubled the capacity for total joint operations within the Cowichan Valley.

The next opportunity for growth came with an opening as a Site Manager within the Cowichan District Hospital. The position had accountability for the Surgical Program, Child Youth and Family Program, and the Restorative Health Program. During this time I continued with in house leadership training to increase my skill set. This led to leadership suggesting that I look at a Masters Program to help support my growth in leadership. I choose to apply with Royal Roads University for a Masters in Business Administration. Through this education I was able to validate much of the experience and learning that I had completed to date, and extend into new areas of business administration. At the same time of my acceptance into the Masters program I was the successful applicant to the Site Director Role at the Cowichan District Hospital where I continue to work at this time.