DAve peters

Registered Respiratory Therapist, Cowichan District Hospital, Island Health

I never did anything the easy way! This is a story that should inspire all to-ask questions, go to school ( and understand what education brings), research their desires and be thorough in their planning. I never graduated High school-left home at 15 and couch surfed my way through life. I was very intelligent (precious-might be the term the adults used😊).  Likely there are a few other initials to describe my restless life! I was never taught the value of education or post-secondary education. That and I wouldn’t have listened anyway.

Eventually, I worked Seismic exploration, living in camps 3 months at a time, doing both 3-dimensional and helicopter seismic (I held my BC explosives ticket and got to fly around the mountains blowing up dynamite). Started raising 2 boys. When I was home in Calgary, I built chain link fences. One day when it was 34C out, I was digging stones out of 3’ holes-by hand…I figured out that I did not want to do this for the rest of my life... so, I went home that night and registered for adult high school. 2-years later, I had a daughter and graduated high school. Now 23 years old! Just before I graduated, I was able to access a computer program called “CHOICES” (on then new DOS 486 computers) that the school had. This program asked you approx. 50 questions about yourself and then suggested job profiles that fit my aptitude. It suggested I become a logger or a forest Ranger. Hmm, fortunately, a person was able to scroll through a huge list of careers. Respiratory Therapist stood out. They got to attend all resuscitations/ work in ICU’s or nurseries. They appeared to be needed for all emergencies-now that was something I could get my teeth into. So, I applied to SAIT ( Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) without ever going to a hospital or talking with an RRT to see what the job was really like. Talk about naïve!  With extreme good fortune my GPA was 93% as, back then, they had 360 applicants for 30 seats, and they chose the top 60 GPA’s to interview. When I was interviewed they asked if I had any questions. Being as nervous as I was, I asked “ how did I do”. Their response was I did well, however, I had not researched the profession. It was a huge let-down. I felt so dumb, thinking I blew it and would not get the chance…that morning, I went home and called the Foothills Hospital Respiratory Dept. and asked to speak to the Manager. He was out but would return my call tomorrow. He did call back and I arranged for a tour the next day. Turned out, he was one of my interviewers!

Now I am proudly Dave Peters RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist).

I Graduated (Honours) Diploma1993- S.A.I.T. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. I definitely knew I wanted to be an acute care hospital RRT and that I was especially enamoured with small hospital RRT departments where, it seemed,  RT’s had more job responsibility than in the larger centers.

I began my career in Saskatchewan, because when I graduated there were very few jobs available in Canada and there was a full-time homecare position in Regina. Remember, I had a family with 3 kids to feed. I hated the idea of homecare!  I was in charge of the Southeastern corner of the province. Although, this was not my 1st career choice I learned a lot about interacting with patients, assessing their respiratory needs and put a human face to the word patient! This also allowed me to consult into many different sized hospitals who had never seen an RRT. I actually enjoyed being a homecare therapist!  I also, briefly, did casual work at Regina General Hospital. I also began coaching hockey, something I had always been good at. In 1995 I transferred with the same company to Vancouver Island settling in Lake Cowichan. I began working casual at NRGH and full-time with the homecare company. I was also hired as a catch as can casual RRT at CDH where if they thought they had a need they would call, however, had no Respiratory Therapy program. I, along with a Physiotherapist began a Respiratory rehabilitation program at CDH. Then in 1999 CDH managed to find the funds to hire 1 Full-time RRT-me! Along with another part-time therapist we started carving out a job role that includes almost every skill we learned in school. Here I am, 26 years later, grandfather of 6. Avid fisherman. Life member of the Kinsmen club of Canada and I am happily here to tell you about a great profession that has opportunities for all.