Kyra Williams, Award-winning Respiratory and Anaesthesia Technology 2023 grad

Making a career change

Kyra decided to study Respiratory and Anaesthesia Technology at Vanier, after working as an orderly at the Montreal General Hospital since 2015. She had a colleague who saw her potential and encouraged her to go back to school. So, after attending several open houses, Kyra chose to study Respiratory Therapy and Anaesthesia Technology.

The Respiratory program trains therapists to assist the anaesthesiologist during surgery, assess and support patients recovering from an operation, are a part of the multidisciplinary team in the ICU when a patient is on a ventilator, and provide therapy to people with a wide variety of breathing problems. It is an essential healthcare profession.

Juggling work, studies and motherhood

It’s easy to think it was all smooth sailing, but in fact, Kyra is a single mother of two children and had a full-time job she loved and needed. So, for several years she juggled studies, family and work.

“I never stopped working at the hospital while I was at Vanier. I was in class all week, then Friday evening and over the weekends, I worked as an orderly.”

Kyra needed several math and science prerequisites, so it was distance education for her for a number of years, until finally in 2020, she was accepted at Vanier. Thanks to her colleague’s encouragement and the unfaltering support of her mother helping with the children, Kyra made it.

“My colleague helped me through distance education. She organized me, followed my progress, and helped me write my letter of intent. She looked at my future and beyond, and was there for me.”

What did I get myself into?

“I started my program in August 2020, but because of COVID, my first two semesters were mostly online. Finally, in my third semester, all my classes took place on campus. It was more work than I expected. I asked myself ‘What is this? What did I get myself into?’ But I already had a DCS from 10 years ago, so I had my general education courses and could fully concentrate on my program.”

No room for failure

In spite of Kyra’s demanding schedule, her respiratory courses went well.

I fall into the category of a mature student, so for me there was no room for failure. I asked questions and took time to understand. Teachers are so willing to help. They want you to understand the material and get it. I made friends in the program. Two had children like me and we supported one another.

A job offer before graduating

In 2023, as she was about to graduate, Kyra was offered a job even before she’d completed her program.

I did my final clinical internship in the ICU at the Montreal General Hospital and they wanted me to stay. So that’s where I’m working now and loving it! I am so fortunate and blessed to have gotten a full-time position.

A typical day

“There are five areas where respiratory care is needed: the ICU, patient transport on the wards and code blue cases, the OR, the emergency department and the tracheotomy team assessments. In the ICU, respiratory therapists assess, monitor and care for ventilated and sometimes non-ventilated patients. We review the conclusions of medical imaging and analyze certain blood work which in turn helps us make specific decisions for the patients. We also join the medical rounds with a multidisciplinary team to assess patients and make a plan for their care and recovery.”

“As well, the MGH has a trauma centre where Urgence Santé brings people injured in accidents, stabbings, shootings etc. Even before such patients arrive, the ambulance personnel contact the emergency department where all personnel who are involved, ready themselves to receive the patient following the instructions of the MD in charge.”

A satisfying job

“I love my work. I learn a lot. I’m part of a team. I’m never alone. I’m specialized for respiratory therapy and I’m helping people. I’m taking care of a life, a loved one that could be your parent or your child. It’s wonderful to see progress, to see a patient walking after being bed-ridden.”

“I also earn a good salary with premiums and increases every year. I get paid vacation, an insurance plan and a retirement plan. As well, our professional order offers additional training to maintain our accreditation, and there are conferences I can attend. Above all, I can blend family and work.”

Just go for it!

“They say it takes a village to raise a child, well, I had the support of a village to get through my studies. During breaks, colleagues at work pushed me to go study. I started to cry when I found out I had passed the Vanier exam, and everyone at work came to hug me. My success was their success too.”

“Without doubt my work as an orderly made me familiar with a hospital environment, and I could watch procedures and ask questions, but I was blessed, and doors opened for me when I came back to school. But if I can do it, so can many others, mature people like me, but also young people coming out of high school. You just need to concentrate, stay calm, learn your basics – everything you learn, you’ll need on the job. And just go for it.”