Staff Spotlight
Connected by community: A Registered Nurse’s experience living, and working in Whistler, British Columbia
Meet Siobhan, an Emergency Nurse working in Whistler and Squamish in the Sea to Sky Corridor, and casually in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. “I love that I can work at different sites and departments,” she says. “I get to be part of several different teams and have a lot of flexibility with my schedule.”
Whistler, a world-renowned four-season resort mountain town, offers Siobhan an exciting and unique working experience. Emergency response often starts in the backcountry, with ski patrol or the Search and Rescue team stabilizing and transporting patients to the Whistler Health Care Centre. There, Siobhan and her team provide a wide variety of care, from sports-related injuries to stabilizing critical care patients for transfer.
Close-knit, supportive team
“We have a great team of health care workers in Whistler,” Siobhan says. “Most of us come from different parts of the country or world, so everyone brings unique sets of skills and experiences.”
Despite the intensity and unpredictability of the job, Siobhan is motivated by her team. There is a great sense of camaraderie, and the team works seamlessly together to prioritize patient care. “Teamwork is essential. We share the wins, support each other through losses, and always come back ready to do it again, because we believe in what we do and in each other,” she says. Outside of work, they enjoy adventuring in the mountains together and are connected by their love for the community and their gratitude to live, work and play in a beautiful place.
Life in Whistler
Siobhan has always dreamed of living in a mountain town with a slower pace. Having frequently driven to the mountains during her time off, moving from Vancouver to Whistler was an easy decision. Here, she loves getting to know her neighbours. “We have such a vibrant community of individuals all sharing a similar lifestyle.”
As a Registered Nurse, Siobhan values the flexibility of her role. She often works afternoon shifts, leaving her mornings free for various recreational activities available in Whistler. In the winter, she snowboards and rides straight into the village for her shift. In the summer, she trail runs, paddleboards on the lake behind her house, and rides in the Mountain Bike Park—with staff passes provided by the leadership team. Even on her lunch breaks, Siobhan runs around Lost Lake to enjoy the outdoors.
Career progression and lifelong learning
With over 14 years of nursing experience, Siobhan spent more than a decade working in the ICU before transitioning to Emergency. “One of the main reasons I chose to work in Emergency is that no two days are the same. I’m always learning something new and that is what keeps me engaged and excited to work,” Siobhan explains. “There is a great relationship between the ICU and ER departments at Vancouver General Hospital, and I felt extremely supported by the leadership teams in both departments throughout my transition.”
Reflecting on her career, Siobhan shares, “I am so glad I chose nursing as it has given me endless learning opportunities, a flexible schedule and the ability to work in different provinces and countries.”
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