I’ve been working in customer service in a respiratory care company for 3 years, and been wanting to do this since I was in high school and finally at age 28 I am going back to school
Hey I'm having some issues .. I already certified and have my degree in respiratory...I have an associate's degree in hospitality .. BUT I have no experience... and called around and they dont care about my 1yr volunteer experience on my resume.. they want 1yr experience based with salary... so now I'm stuck ... If I need agencies.. which ones specifically?? And they require me to have at least 1yr of experience ..who can I train under for like 2yrs with pay??
3 years later and I’m back! 😄one thing that scared me as a RT student was that there was no room for growth compared to nursing. Reality check there is room for growth like perfusion and CAA (anesthesia) or ECMO RT , PA , and so many more in management and sales. Please don’t be discouraged. Research research reasearch!!!
I’m looking to get into this field. What also scared me was the lack of growth. But after reading your comment, made rethink pursuing becoming an RT. How is going so far?
I've been an RT for nearly ten years now and a word of advice, California has been saturated with RTs, many people with experience have a hard time finding a job, let alone a new graduate. Also, nowadays, hospitals are looking for bachelors degree. I recommend looking for a job in other states such as Ohio, texas. I lived in Ohio and within less than a month I found a job. I wish you the best ❤
@Ali Polaris Yes, RT's can do intubations and are taught in schools. However, depending on the hospital you work, some hospitals dont let the RT's do it.
I know very well that respiratory therapy is a really hard program/ course, but I really love science. Some people say that I am kinda weird because of my enthusiasm about science and life. My girlfriend does not like science but she supports me with what I like. I don't even know why I'm commenting on this video. I just wanna say congratulations! I'm a new subber and I wanna know if you have "day in a life of a respiratory therapist" video. Thanks for your videos! Keep helping people! I wanna be someone who helps people someday, just like you.
Being a science enthusiast is always a good thing as an RT! I am a pretty big science enthusiast also 😊I have a few "day in the life of an RT student" videos you can check out! Thank you for the support and subscribing! Let me know how the program goes for you!
I’m in college right now and I wanted to be an RN but I’m taking A&P 2 and the respiratory system really got my attention I have asthma and I really want to know more and practice Rt I want to know how to take care of others and my self I’m definitely going to look into this
Thank you so much I'm loving a lot of what I'm reading about this job. I have 2 kids and wasn't sure if I could go to school for this while not having much support with my kids. I do think RT's are waaay under paid. The things you guys do is so important. You're so important that you can't even just go home after your shift sometimes because they need you. Even getting called in. You guys definitely should be paid way more. In my opinion maybe even more than a nurse. I've been looking at dental hygienist as well and I'm suprised they make more than RTs
Thank you, for giving prospective RTs a reality check...there's people in just about every profession, who are miserable, because they got into their respective careers, without looking at it from all angles. Too many professionals often Sugarcoat it, in order to attract others into the profession...not everyone is 'Cut Out' for that Dream Job. Thanks again, from an EMS First Responder!⚘🚑
Thank you this video! I’m a Paramedic and I just got accepted into the RT Program. The more I research this program and the profession as a whole , I’m drawn too it.
Good for you. I'm going through medic school in the summer and here recently, I've come across RT. I found it very interesting and while I'm looking forward to being a paramedic, I feel that I could be letting a interest pass by. I tell myself now that it's best to get through medic school, get that P card and then start back in knocking out classes for RT. Almost 32 now and wish I would've thought of this / completed this in my 20s.
Thank you for making these videos! I’m so split between OT and RT I’am doing so much research and they both sound like a very rewarding career! I love the creativity you need for both and how both help people! In need of some clarity ASAP... 😓
as a very old RT (1967 to 2000) Yes I an ancient ! Ive been out of RT long enough some werent even born who are in it now. You did very well describing things ! I started as OJT when it was "Inhalation Therapy" , if you like to know more about "those days" post it here !
I'm thinking about it because working in the medical field for 17yrs as an EMT in the emergency department my goal was PA but it's been 3yrs and still nothing. I'm not young. I'm in my 50's and don't want to work harder as I get older. I like to smooth sail through my life now and I think working as an RT would be that field. I'm not saying it's easy because I see you guys in the ER working hard on patients but it's less stressful than being a nurse in the ER who is handling a STEMI, Sepsis, or a conscious sedated patient at the same time. At least with RT I get to focus on lungs and the heart.
Don't think this job is easy. It is hard on your body. You will be on your feet almost all of the 12 hours of your shift. You will be run ragged and often go without breaks. I am 57, have been doing this for 17 years. I have had to have both rotator cuffs repaired and have plantar fasciitis in both feet. If you are thinking this will be an easy job....think again. The physicality of being an EMT is on par with that of RT.
@@bonnie8543 I agree, it's definitely hard on your feet. I get restless leg syndrome all the time and no matter what sneakers you wear it's still not good enough. I thought about RT, DPT, NM, and MT but I think I don't want to work for the hospital anymore. Too many CEUs to take, mandatory crap, skills doc, and also where in the ED they put you; a sitter, triage, reg, or a section where you'll be the only tech busting your butt. I'm done. I'm 56 years old with a bachelors degree, and making crap money. It's time to get out and look for something else.
I have all the pre-requisites. I just need to retake microbiology because it expired, and then apply. I'm great at math, science, and writing and will apply with a 4.0 average in all classes. I have terrible memory though because of my thyroid issue. Sometimes I forget what I did 30 seconds ago. I have awful self confidence when actually performing tasks. This really worries me. I don't think I'll be cut-out to be anything in the Healthcare field. Depressing!
@@Monterlude_RM how are you? i'm an incoming freshman student also with the same course in the ph. do you have plans to apply abroad? how about your sister?
RT is perfect for me. I never heard of it but my moms a rehab assistant and has an rt friend and she suggested it and I was so interested. I work housekeeping now so hopefully I can meet a few. I am excited for shift work and the money here is good. Not to mention there’s film for growth awell and many options. A secret career for sure which make growth good. Very good choice
Thank you for the advice, I'm highly considering this career path after considering countless other ones all over from nursing, counseling, entrepreneurship, etc... something about RT from what I've been reading and researching resonates with me so I want to find out more about this career. Also, your eyes are stunning lol thanks again! :)
I definitely felt the same way about RT the more I looked into it. Then after starting the program I fell more and more in love with the profession as a whole.
I’m trying to get some research done for RT. I’m a CNA and would love to be an RN but the waiting list is so long and I need to make more money for my son. I’m thinking of going into RT in the meantime or if I end up loving it then stay there, I would love to work in a children’s hospital.
Generally the AS degree program is sufficient and to pass the registered exam. Also, the scenario of no lunch, no bathroom, patients first, I'll politely correct you. There is a course to renew your license called medical errors. The reason profoundly dislodges a mandate, which factually if you do not take a lunch, replenish your mind emotionally and calm physically, your performance follows. No matter how difficult it becomes, take responsibility and know your role. It's hospital's duty to hire adequate care to provide a safe ground, and if you find yourself suffering with deficiencies mentioned, make sure you mention to a supervisor your lunch is invaluable. It also prevents burnout and promotes longevity in the field taking care of you, first.
I absolutely agree. Not having a lunch or break can be really tough physically and emotionally and can also cause medical errors. You should certainly take time for yourself and ask a manager to relieve you if needed and there should also be adequate staffing to prevent this. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. There are days though where there are multiple call outs, things get hectic and you dont get breaks like you should. The managers try to help everyone they can but this still happens which is why we are hearing so much talk lately about safe staffing ratios lately.
I would like to know what is the best part about being an RT that you enjoy the most and what is the least favorite. I’m in my third semester of RT school and last week after my clinical day, it hit me that I’m not passionate about it. Even though I’m already half way through the program I don’t like it. I don’t like working in a hospital setting with a bunch of people. I rather work in a small facility like a clinic. Hospitals are too demanding with their staff for the amount of pay you get. And for the amount of patients you get per day is a lot of stress. Another thing I noticed is that RT’s can only work in hospitals unlike an RN can work in different areas like clinics schools hospice care or home health. RT degree is very limited to where you can work. I think within time it can get boring and people may find themselves going back to school and change careers. Also the amount of charting we do as RT’s is insane. We’re learning more about how to chart every patient and each time it takes us almost 15 minutes to complete. Not including interruptions and emergency situations. I think my biggest mistake was that I did not do enough research before deciding to get in the program. I did not know anything about it. My goal was to be a nurse but since I couldn’t get into the program, I decided to give RT program a try. And now I’m finding myself not enjoying it. Any words of advise would be greatly appreciated thank you for understanding. I would feel like a failure if I let this opportunity pass me by, but it’s not so much about the money that matters, is more about self fulfillment.
Thats crazy. Im kinda in the same page as you except i'm just getting accepted into the RT for fall 2020 but the energy isnt there. I dont feel passionate about going in
Sorry for the late reply! I'm having issues with comment notifications. I think right now it is probably hard to gage things. Healthcare is in a strange place where many hospital ICUs are over run with patients but they are running staff short to make up for lost money (due to no elective surgeries) during the pandemic. I love the adrenaline and I love being able to watch a patient's progress through their healthcare journey. I hope you are able to experience things at more than one hospital because the way each one is run and the team dynamics are SO different. Make sure you explore all of your options such as sleep labs, PFTs, children's hospitals, etc. You may not have found your niche yet and that is okay. I always recommended doing lots of research before jumping into a career to make sure you will like it but if you find yourself unsatisfied checkbout some other areas and programs to see what you might like. How many more clinical rotations do you have?
Breathe Easy I have three weeks left for the summer semester to end and then we take two weeks off and start fall. So far we have only been able to do clinicals at one hospital because of COVID-19. I think this is one reason why I’m finding the program challenging and not interesting. You brought a good point, practicing at different hospitals would make the experience so much different and enjoyable. I didn’t think about that. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, our schedule has been modified. Like you said, perhaps I haven’t found my niche yet, and I’m only looking at a small part of it all. I hope I can advance into the program so that I’m able to see more. I would hate to quit now and miss on a great opportunity. This semester we’re learning about mechanical ventilation and it has been the hardest semester so far. Very challenging with a lot of critical thinking. But being in ICU during clinicals helps me to understand the concepts a lot better. I hope to get passed this dry period of the program and see the benefits of it all. I know once I graduate, I can practice my license at a hospital and learn so much more. It will open the doors for something better in my life, and if for any reason I decide to change careers, I can always go back to school for something else. By no means do I think RT’s don’t deserve any respect. If anything, they do the work that most won’t do. And they need to be acknowledged for their work ethics. They are an important asset in healthcare. Thank you for your kind words and for helping me see things from a different perspective. Sometimes, I’m so closed minded that I forget to see the bigger picture. Good luck with your job. I will continue to watch your videos. They are very informative and educational. Please let me know if you have any more suggestions. Thank you again.
I don’t think you were being closed minded at all. Online schooling and schedule/clinical changes with everything going on has to be really frustrating. I hope you're able to have a better experience on your next rotations also 💗 I'm always here if you need anything or have questions!
I would love to help people in their lives I love people but i dont have a passion for it. I DONT KNOW WHAT MY PASSION IS AND IM FREAKING THE FREAK OUT
If you would love to help people, that sounds like a passion to me! I think you might be over thinking it. If you are interested in a certain area, go for it!
Warning!!!!! Something not really mentioned in these videos is, depending on your state, new grads may have a hard time finding work. I graduated in 2012 and obtained my RRT credentials within 3 months. It took me a whole year and countless interviews to finally land a per diem position. The problem is, in major cities, this field is over saturated. Post COVID-19, we may a mass deferment of RRT’s. Either way keep fighting the good fight all.
@@welcome_home_son I took my CRT the week after I graduated and applied for my license at the same time. Is it more difficult now? It was a simple, besides the exams and and all the fees, process for me. I got my license within a few weeks and knew I had passed my exams within minutes of taking them.
Every day i am working with patients.I tried to make a smile on my patients face by helping them.99.9 % patients are smiling on me when i am helping them,that makes my day.At the end of the day i always had a pleasant feeling which helps me sleep well and rewarded.
Breathe Easy ..exactly..i was an engineering student,after 2 years i dropped out only because my mind always says like" you are not made for working on machines,you should works on other peoples life to make them happy"..and then i ended up doing a career in health care field which i am so happy about that every single day.Money is not the best feeling guys,the best feeling is our happiness in what we are doing.
Hey, I’m a 16 year old in my junior year and .. I want to be in the medical field , helping others because that’s truly what I want to do , it makes me happy knowing I made a difference big or small , I was never in a medical program in high school or middle school so I don’t know much because I recently decided the medical field is a good choice for me. But I have a mentor and she was telling me how I should start off as a respiratory therapist and how I can work my way up in the medical field. I agree with her because I don’t know where to start in the medical field and the program is only two years .. I know nothing is hard ... I don’t expect the program to be easy and I don’t care for the money. I’m doing more research of a RT and I’m glad I came across your video🙂... is their any advice or suggestions you would like to give me ?
Hey! RT is a great field! I know a few people that started off in RT the went on to medical school or PA school later. If you can find someone to shadow I think that would be helpful, not all hospitals allow it though. Keep studying, be open to constructive criticism and take any opportunity to learn that you are given. Good luck and feel free to reach out to me any time if you have questions.
Breathe Easy aww thank you ❤️ because I really wanted to be a physician assistant first but to get my feet out their and to have experienced my mentor said I should to RT because it’s a 2 year program ... all I have to do is take my prerequisite classes. But I’m in Florida so I know things are different from other states. I’ll do more research to see how I can transition into a PA
I really I’m interested in respiratory therapist is because my aunt used to be on and she sadly passed away but I’m also so want do do this because of my asthma to
Hi! I'm someone who is currently looking at the RT program and was wondering if you think this might be a good career as a back up. I want to be a PA but was looking at this as a backup degree in case I don't get into PA school the first try, I'm aware that I need to be an RT for 2-3 years and am ok with that but this does seem interesting and I think the knowledge I acquire here will help during PA school and when I get into the field. Thank you! I just want to get some other opinions!
Quite a few RTs go on to become PAs actually and really feel it helps them with vent management, diagnostics, bedside care and emergency medicine (since we usually go to all codes). I love this field so I am happy with my choice so far 😊 Just make sure you do some research on pay scales in your area as well as job availability. Good luck!
Thank you, for sharing this video with us! I'm starting RT school in August and getting nervous since I was on the waiting list for two years! My grandfather inspired me to become a RT because he had problem over the years with Bronchitis and Pneumonia.
I’m considering this program but I am a slight germ freak. I don’t mind analyzing fluids as long they don’t go on me. I had a dream that I was helping someone and they coughed blood all over me and I woke up terrified. Would cardiology technician be better program for me ??
I understand being worried about those things but things like that are not an every day occurence, especially if you aren't working in critical care or an emergency department. As a cardiovascular technologist you will still be around sick people but I'm honestly sure to what extent. I haven't had the pleasure of working with anyone in that area yet.
If any of y’all decide to become RTs be ready to be thoroughly under-appreciated and largely ignored, while constantly bending to the whims of nursing left and right. They’ll make the rules and you’ll just learn keep your bellyaching to yourself over time because you’ll realize that the people you’ll look to for help or your bosses are all probably nurses; there being a scant few exceptions to this rule depending on the facility. Good money though, which it seems is maybe all that matters to anyone these days...
Basic algebra. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, etc. Just brush up onnyournirder of operations and get tutoring if you need it. Math won't be a big enough obstacle to make you not succeed.
When you said "figure out what the best thing to do for your patient", do you think a perfectionist will have issues as a respiratory therapist? Sometimes I overanalyze the situation, but will that put my patient in danger or make me a bad RT? I REALLY want to help people and I used to work at a children's hospital and want to come back to that.
It won't make you a bad RT. There are a ton of perfectionists in the world of healthcare. You just need experience and to learn what each process is then you won't over think it because you already know what is happening. On a side note, critical thinking and thinking outside the box can be really useful in a situation that everyone is lost in.
Thank you for your vlog! I’m considering the field, I’m located in southern NV and enrolling in CSN. I’ve seen a few of your vlogs are you located in NV? I ask because you have referenced the state a few times. I can’t wait to start school and get a degree! Thank you again! PS I may vlog my own journey 😀 I’m a WOC, in my mid 30’s, married with children (one is autistic) and I work full time... is that too much lol! XO, Jess
I’m also in Nevada and I’m going to sign up for Pima institute for RTT instead of CSN due to all of the prerequisites you have to do before your even in the program
Been wanting to do this but the only problem is that I’m Active Army and the only online courses I see is BA or BA I think 🤔 in RT which requires you to already hVe an associates so I am at a lost
Hello, I have a question that you may not get very often but im wondering because im wanting to pick a career I can travel with and I wanted to know if I moved to a country that as had respiratory therapist jobs like France or Germany could I possibly use my certification from US there?
Is this a career for people who love helping people in general? I was considering physical therapy but there aren’t any programs in my area. My son has asthma and I absolutely love helping people.
I have a Tshirt that sums up RT perfectly: Respiratory Therapists are the Batman of Healthcare. We get the signal, show up with our gadgets, Save the day, and then dissappear. .. And y'all don't even know our name. IYKYK
I have a whole video of why I chose RT but the gist is that the more I learned about RT, the more it resonated with me and I had some positive encounters with RTs in the past. I see myself advancing perhaps into an advanced practice Respiratory therapist or education. Both are viable options for me in the future.
Breathe Easy I have been watching some of your videos. All videos are very informative and made me realize some things I did not know about RT. I applied for the program last year but did not qualify somehow :/ However that is not stopping me from applying again this year. It might’ve made me feel discouraged but I am going to try it again. Praying and hoping that I will make it this year. I live I Hawai’i and there is only one school here in our island that has the RT program, thus it will be extra competitive. Tbh I’m super nervous and I’m scared. Any helpful advice that will help me feel less scared? Lolol
I can understand being nervous, we all are when applying. Show them your passion for the program in your essays, your words and your actions. It can be difficult but put your most authentic self out there for them to see 💕 Things will work out how they are meant to. Good luck, Eloisa!
Hey Jasmine! Just check what the prerequisites for the programs in your area are and you may be able to do them before graduating (classes, volunteer hours, letters of recommendation, etc.) Good luck!
Absolutely! Most of us only work 3 days a week (12 hour shifts) with 4 days off. You can pick up more if you would like, but I don't find it necessary (in my city at least) to live comfortably.
I love our video! I am going to start my program in the fall 2018. Is there any books that I can read over the summer that will help with my first year class?
Hey! Congrats on starting the program! It depends on what classes you are starting with and how your program is set up. A lot of the books I bought were foe things like mechanical ventilation which you want to wait until you get there in class to dive into lol. To save some money, you could check out videos from Respiratory Review, Med Cram, and Strong Medicine that will give you an over view on some RT topics without breaking the bank lol. A good book though (kinda like a text book) is called Green's Respiratory Therapy. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
12 hours shift all weekdays for the rest of your career?! Does it get better - less time - over the pass years or it remains the same? 60 hours per week is just to much for me, can you maybe get at least 40 hours per week?
Definitly not every day of the week lol. Usually it is 12 hour shifts three days a week, so a total of 36 hours then 4 days off. You can pick up more shifts if you want to but it isn't necessary.
Breathe Easy Your reply so quick - thanks for the info. Anyway, I have a questions for you, how was your experience In the respiratory program? How many hours did you put in for the studies - at least for the day or week? how much time did you need to practice after classes? And how smart do you need to be? Does the programs evolve math somehow - if so how good you need to be? Sorry for the difficult questions but I’m on my way to get into this program, and so I need to know more in what I’m getting myself into.
It is an extremely stressful and time consuming program (as any program dealing with people's lives is) but over all, I loved it. It is very fast paced, constantly changing, challenging, exciting and fulfilling. The rest of the questions are a bit subjective because hours you need to study varies greatly from person to person based on personal ability, which subject is being covered, and how many exams/projects you have at that time. I studied every day with an occasional day off once every few weeks. Some days I only studied 1 to 2 hours other days I studies for 8+ hours, so it is hard to say. The program involves math but nothing greater than basic algebra. If you haven't done that type of math in a while just brush up a bit and you'll be fine :)
Breathe Easy Thanks you for this very useful info. But if you don’t mind I’m concern with something. What’s the difference between the associate degree and the bachelor degree? Could you get the job with the associate degree only - the two year program- because I’m going with the associate degree program but not sure if I be fine with that? Thank you. Promise that this is my final question - I’m just not sure which to go so that’s why I’m asking?
Bachelor degrees will help you get into management or education in the future. Some states prefer their employees to have a bachelor degree over an associate degree. For that information try reaching out to the society for respiratory care in your state and perhaps searching job postings in your state to see what the hospitals there require.
I have bachelor's in health sciences now I would like to do respiratory therapy please suggest me where should I study nd I am an Indian but I want to study nd settle in abroad pls suggest me
Thanks for your informative video. Was just wondering what i could expect as an hourly salary for a RT with an associate's degree? Does that jump much higher with a BA?
Check out recent job postings in your area because salary cares widely by city/state. Some places offer slightly 4e wist a BSRT but nothing substantial that I've heard unless you are getting into management
Hi, do I apply for RT school or university for Bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy? I graduated from college months ago and ready to go abroad to study but I'm really confused what to do next
Hey. I’m going for a Bachelor of Public Health, but I want to become a Respiratory Therapist. Will this degree that I am pursuing (Public Health) work? Thanks for the great video!😀
Would you suggest RT for someone who wants to be a PA in the future? I don’t have enough money for a masters but I have a full ride for my major and associates, therefore I’m starting my RT program in August and then I’d do my bachelors and masters in the following 4-5 years after graduating as an RT. However I’m worried that I won’t be able to find a good job if I’m not registered and I hear registering takes years. Is the career worth it if I’m not planning to become a registered RT and only planning to be certified?
Additionally, do you think it is doable to work full time and complete my bachelors on the side? I hear most work weeks are usually 3 12 hour shifts and then 4 days off, why is it usually this way?
The only thing you need to become an RRT is your associate's in respiratory therapy and then you become eligible to take your boards. There are two board exams you take but it shouldn't take too long. Most place require you to be registered now in order to ve hired but it is only one addition exam. I know quite a few people that have gone from RT to PA but I would talk to some advisors to make sure your credits will be transferrable.
Yes it is doable. I'm currently working on my BSRT and working 4-5 12 hour shifts per week. The 12 hour shifts allow you to take more days off between shifts if you want to.
Do you think a pass rate of 88% is bad for a respiratory program? I'm on the fence about applying to my local college, but shouldn't that % be in the 90s?
i just pass both my boards, it is not 88%. people fail there boards usually in the first attempt, but if u study and a good test taker you can pass it no problem.
@@iantru9929 I should have clarified. It's not the pass rate for the boards.....the 88% pass rate is for the actual program itself. Only 88% of people make it through. 88% seems like a good number on paper, but considering other programs in the area are high 90s, it just concerned me a bit.
I wanna be a nurse for children/teens with cystic fibrosis, can I pick where I work and who I work with??? Or do they just throw me where they need me??
Depends on the area. I know people that had jobs before graduating and other that waited a while. California and Nevada both tend to be a bit oversaturated but the Midwest and Eastcoast are in desperate need
@@BreatheEasyRRT Thank you very much for the reply. Interestingly I am living in Canada and do you have any friends who knows the situation here. Anyway, your video is great and just subscribed your channel.
@@Roosevelt-q8thello excuse me if I might ask what did you ended up choosing? Because I was also thinking the same thing and it also scares me a little bit and I’m also in Canada
Depends on what is required of you at your place of employment. A lot of hospitals don't require it but you may get asked to help by nursing or other staff.
Hey I was wondering what is your opinions on respiratory therapists online schools? It seems that most of them are scam of some sort, Is that the case?
I'm not familiar with all of the various online schools but I actually just started working with a really great RT that went to an online school. I think, just like RT school, you get out of it what you put in. It is probably also helpful to be working in the medical field already or in an area you will have more access to get your hands on experience.
Hey I am thinking of becoming one too did u happen to take an entrance exam and was the math hard I am not really good at math do u think this would be a good field for me do u actually use a lot of math
Hey! I took an entrance exam to get in. We never really go above basic algebra but most of the calculations you do day to day will be simple math. If you want to go into RT, go for it! 😊
Darice C I’m not the in the program yet, and I’m guessing those classes are hard. So far, my prerequisites are Anatomy&Physiology 1&2, Microbiology, College Composition, Psychology, Chemistry, Medical Terminology and Medical Ethics and Law. It really depends on what classes you find hard for yourself. For me, the most challenging of all of them has been anatomy&physiology. Everything else is fairly easy
Darice C I think chemistry will be hard for me too I haven’t done it yet and yes math is but if you get a high enough score on the Accuplacer you can test out of taking it! And yes at some schools
My goal is to be a crna but i never thought about starting off as a rt since it deals with gases and other things that nurse anesthetist do. Which u consider best?
Hey, sorry! For some reason this comment just popped up on my feed. You will get a good grasp on blood gases and the cardio pulmonary system but I don't think there is any type of bridge program from RT to RN. For CRNAs I believe you need to go to nursing school first. So unless you are okay with the additional schooling, I'm not sure it would be the best way to go.
Depends on the area. Some areas in the south go as low as $20 others can make $60+/hour. Check out job postings for the area you are interested in living in and that should give you an idea for your area.
Good, this is the right place for you then...my advice to you is to just remind yourself about the money through all the shit you’ll go through. P.S. she doesn’t seem to mention it but while our badges may read, ”Resp. Therapist” it might as well say, “RN’s bitch” because that’s pretty much what we are for the most part, with a few exceptions here and there depending on the facility of course.
@CafeAuLait TX RN is pretty hard to get into for me. My GPA is 3.08 which is low and I think it's a factor that's holding me back from any program. Surgical tech, Respiratory I got the acceptance letters.
Choose R.N., NOT respiratory therapist. Physicians refer to respiratory as 'ancillary', lumped in with C.N.A.s. Despite taking the same general education, prerequisites and sciences respiratory earns about 20% to 30% LESS THAN R.N.s. R.N.s and M.D.s ate lunch, conversed idly, and even dated/married; yet, NEARLY never, can the same be said of the LOWLY respiratory therapist. My usual contribution to the 'team' was, " SaO2 is something %" followed by, "ok, ya sure", by the Pulmonologist. 37 years of such 'team work' was not pleasant, or worth it. Further, the nature of the discipline greatly diminishes the areas needed, thus opportunities are diminished. Choose R.N., NOT respiratory therapist.
I've never had a physician refer to me or colleagues as 'ancillary' so that sounds like a personal experience. The 20 to 30% less depends on location with the southern states paying less. I also know RTs that converse with, eat with or that are married to doctors, nurses, techs but I'm not quite sure how marital/dating status plays into a professional role but again this sounds like a personal work experience of yours. You mentioned "my usual contribution" why is that all you are contributing? If you are contributing more that an SaO2, and your physician responds the same way, again that sounds like an environmental issue or perhaps the approach at building rapport is off. And how does "the nature of the discipline" diminish itself and what are you doing besides complaining on the internet to strangers to fix it?
@@BreatheEasyRRT I try and watch every respiratory therapy video on TH-cam because I’m so excited to get into the program. I’m constantly reading comments to stay determined while on the waitlist. The guy that posted that literally copies and pasts the same thing on every RT channel. It sucks because comments like that can discourage potential RT’s. He’s been doing it for months 🤥🤦🏻♀️
I respectfully disagree. Perhaps it is your work place or area. We certainly do have busy days, especially during the winter, but I do not "work like a dog".
Hey. Any medical program is difficult. It varies a ton by state but in Nevada starting fulltime for new grads is about $30/hr. perdiem is around $40+/hr but other states it is as low as $20 for a full time job. So make sure you research whatever state/city you live in.
I’ve been working in customer service in a respiratory care company for 3 years, and been wanting to do this since I was in high school and finally at age 28 I am going back to school
Congratulation Erin!!
Omg! I’m 26 and I’m looking to go back to school as well.
Nice! How's the progress going?
28 here and about to start as well
Hey I'm having some issues .. I already certified and have my degree in respiratory...I have an associate's degree in hospitality .. BUT I have no experience... and called around and they dont care about my 1yr volunteer experience on my resume.. they want 1yr experience based with salary... so now I'm stuck ...
If I need agencies.. which ones specifically?? And they require me to have at least 1yr of experience ..who can I train under for like 2yrs with pay??
3 years later and I’m back! 😄one thing that scared me as a RT student was that there was no room for growth compared to nursing. Reality check there is room for growth like perfusion and CAA (anesthesia) or ECMO RT , PA , and so many more in management and sales. Please don’t be discouraged. Research research reasearch!!!
How's it going now?
I’m looking to get into this field. What also scared me was the lack of growth. But after reading your comment, made rethink pursuing becoming an RT. How is going so far?
I am gonna go to school for one, gonna apply for fall 2024
I've been an RT for nearly ten years now and a word of advice, California has been saturated with RTs, many people with experience have a hard time finding a job, let alone a new graduate. Also, nowadays, hospitals are looking for bachelors degree. I recommend looking for a job in other states such as Ohio, texas. I lived in Ohio and within less than a month I found a job. I wish you the best ❤
I have heard that about California also! Thank you for the advice and the well wishes! Just a few more short months and I'll be done!
@Ali Polaris Yes, RT's can do intubations and are taught in schools. However, depending on the hospital you work, some hospitals dont let the RT's do it.
Exactly what Ivet said!
There are so many jobs in New York. All over New York
Ivet G. I have a bachelors degree in healthcare administration. Can I use that? And is my chances high to get hired? I’m looking to do this
I know very well that respiratory therapy is a really hard program/ course, but I really love science. Some people say that I am kinda weird because of my enthusiasm about science and life. My girlfriend does not like science but she supports me with what I like. I don't even know why I'm commenting on this video. I just wanna say congratulations! I'm a new subber and I wanna know if you have "day in a life of a respiratory therapist" video. Thanks for your videos! Keep helping people! I wanna be someone who helps people someday, just like you.
Being a science enthusiast is always a good thing as an RT! I am a pretty big science enthusiast also 😊I have a few "day in the life of an RT student" videos you can check out! Thank you for the support and subscribing! Let me know how the program goes for you!
Breathe Easy thank you!
I’m in college right now and I wanted to be an RN but I’m taking A&P 2 and the respiratory system really got my attention I have asthma and I really want to know more and practice Rt I want to know how to take care of others and my self I’m definitely going to look into this
im currently a cna at a hospital. i wanted to become a RN but im more intrested in RT.
Go for whichever feels right and is sustainable for you!
Same
Same
Currently a cma and same!!
Me too, we can do it yall
Thank you so much
I'm loving a lot of what I'm reading about this job. I have 2 kids and wasn't sure if I could go to school for this while not having much support with my kids.
I do think RT's are waaay under paid. The things you guys do is so important. You're so important that you can't even just go home after your shift sometimes because they need you. Even getting called in. You guys definitely should be paid way more. In my opinion maybe even more than a nurse.
I've been looking at dental hygienist as well and I'm suprised they make more than RTs
I’m debating between rdh and rt also! Rdh is my top choice. Which did you choose?
Thank you, for giving prospective RTs a reality check...there's people in just about every profession, who are miserable, because they got into their respective careers, without looking at it from all angles. Too many professionals often Sugarcoat it, in order to attract others into the profession...not everyone is 'Cut Out' for that Dream Job. Thanks again, from an EMS First Responder!⚘🚑
Love this!! Finally gotten through prereqs and offically starting RT school in June! 💜 cant wait!!
Yay! Congratulations!! 🎉🎉🎉
Congrats !! I start in the fall !!
Hey hows the program going for you!??
I start in June too
How’s it going
great points, these are very important things to think about before applying into the program
Thanks!
33 years as a RRT.Good luck to my replacements!
Rich Bryant that’s cute ☺️
Glad I found you! I'm in the application process, have my interview with the program director next week. Fingers crossed!
That's great! Let me know if you have a y questions and goodluck next week!
Thank you this video! I’m a Paramedic and I just got accepted into the RT Program. The more I research this program and the profession as a whole , I’m drawn too it.
Congratulations on getting accepted! Your paramedic experience will be an amazing asset!
Breathe Easy Thank you ❤️
Good for you. I'm going through medic school in the summer and here recently, I've come across RT. I found it very interesting and while I'm looking forward to being a paramedic, I feel that I could be letting a interest pass by. I tell myself now that it's best to get through medic school, get that P card and then start back in knocking out classes for RT. Almost 32 now and wish I would've thought of this / completed this in my 20s.
@@Mafiaman677 There is no timeline as long as youre breathing. Hope you're acheiving your dreams.
Thank you for making these videos! I’m so split between OT and RT I’am doing so much research and they both sound like a very rewarding career! I love the creativity you need for both and how both help people! In need of some clarity ASAP... 😓
Definitely a hard choice! Have you veen able to speak with people in both field yet or shadow anyone?
Thanks for watching!
Breathe Easy I’ve been able to shadow an OTA but no luck with the RT department but again thank you for your videos they are very informative!
You're very welcome! Good luck to you!
Lee Will hey why do you deel that way?? Please share as many details as you can. I am torn between the two also
Even im struggling with the same girl🤕
as a very old RT (1967 to 2000) Yes I an ancient ! Ive been out of RT long enough some werent even born who are in it now. You did very well describing things ! I started as OJT when it was "Inhalation Therapy" , if you like to know more about "those days" post it here !
Tell me more
I'm thinking about it because working in the medical field for 17yrs as an EMT in the emergency department my goal was PA but it's been 3yrs and still nothing. I'm not young. I'm in my 50's and don't want to work harder as I get older. I like to smooth sail through my life now and I think working as an RT would be that field. I'm not saying it's easy because I see you guys in the ER working hard on patients but it's less stressful than being a nurse in the ER who is handling a STEMI, Sepsis, or a conscious sedated patient at the same time. At least with RT I get to focus on lungs and the heart.
Don't think this job is easy. It is hard on your body. You will be on your feet almost all of the 12 hours of your shift. You will be run ragged and often go without breaks. I am 57, have been doing this for 17 years. I have had to have both rotator cuffs repaired and have plantar fasciitis in both feet. If you are thinking this will be an easy job....think again. The physicality of being an EMT is on par with that of RT.
@@bonnie8543 I agree, it's definitely hard on your feet. I get restless leg syndrome all the time and no matter what sneakers you wear it's still not good enough. I thought about RT, DPT, NM, and MT but I think I don't want to work for the hospital anymore. Too many CEUs to take, mandatory crap, skills doc, and also where in the ED they put you; a sitter, triage, reg, or a section where you'll be the only tech busting your butt. I'm done.
I'm 56 years old with a bachelors degree, and making crap money. It's time to get out and look for something else.
I have all the pre-requisites. I just need to retake microbiology because it expired, and then apply. I'm great at math, science, and writing and will apply with a 4.0 average in all classes. I have terrible memory though because of my thyroid issue. Sometimes I forget what I did 30 seconds ago. I have awful self confidence when actually performing tasks. This really worries me. I don't think I'll be cut-out to be anything in the Healthcare field. Depressing!
My sister is an RTRP, she really inspired me to be in this course. 2 years more and i’ll be graduating!
Great!
The program is 2 years long so you probably need to start the program.
@@ignazs.5816 Im taking a 4 year course for RT. Im on my 2nd year
@@Monterlude_RM how are you? i'm an incoming freshman student also with the same course in the ph. do you have plans to apply abroad? how about your sister?
@@yayaya-ms4cw im planning to work here for 2 years first then i'll try applying abroad
RT is perfect for me. I never heard of it but my moms a rehab assistant and has an rt friend and she suggested it and I was so interested. I work housekeeping now so hopefully I can meet a few. I am excited for shift work and the money here is good. Not to mention there’s film for growth awell and many options. A secret career for sure which make growth good. Very good choice
Good luck andblet me know if you have questions along the way!
Breathe Easy thank you so much!!
I can’t do secretions etc.. thanks for this video. Still trying to figure out where I want to go in the health care field.
Respiratory therapy is amazing and nursing is just too much to deal with compared to RT and only for two years so RT all the way
I love your breakdown of RT. I’m thinking about majoring in RT. Thank you
Thank you! Good luck and let me know if I can help with anything!
Thank you for the advice, I'm highly considering this career path after considering countless other ones all over from nursing, counseling, entrepreneurship, etc... something about RT from what I've been reading and researching resonates with me so I want to find out more about this career. Also, your eyes are stunning lol thanks again! :)
I definitely felt the same way about RT the more I looked into it. Then after starting the program I fell more and more in love with the profession as a whole.
I’m trying to get some research done for RT. I’m a CNA and would love to be an RN but the waiting list is so long and I need to make more money for my son. I’m thinking of going into RT in the meantime or if I end up loving it then stay there, I would love to work in a children’s hospital.
See if you can shadow some current RTs to see if the field is right for you. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have!
It's a good choice. I watched RT's in Hospitals and it's lighter than RNs do. Try shadowing both.
I am currently debating whether or not to apply to a respiratory program or not and this helped me a lot! Thank you!
Good luck!
I wont tell you not too just weigh your options
Generally the AS degree program is sufficient and to pass the registered exam. Also, the scenario of no lunch, no bathroom, patients first, I'll politely correct you. There is a course to renew your license called medical errors. The reason profoundly dislodges a mandate, which factually if you do not take a lunch, replenish your mind emotionally and calm physically, your performance follows. No matter how difficult it becomes, take responsibility and know your role. It's hospital's duty to hire adequate care to provide a safe ground, and if you find yourself suffering with deficiencies mentioned, make sure you mention to a supervisor your lunch is invaluable. It also prevents burnout and promotes longevity in the field taking care of you, first.
I absolutely agree. Not having a lunch or break can be really tough physically and emotionally and can also cause medical errors.
You should certainly take time for yourself and ask a manager to relieve you if needed and there should also be adequate staffing to prevent this. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
There are days though where there are multiple call outs, things get hectic and you dont get breaks like you should. The managers try to help everyone they can but this still happens which is why we are hearing so much talk lately about safe staffing ratios lately.
Ever work in corporate healthcare? Skeletal staffing is the mandate. They could care less if you get a lunch.best wishes.
I would like to know what is the best part about being an RT that you enjoy the most and what is the least favorite. I’m in my third semester of RT school and last week after my clinical day, it hit me that I’m not passionate about it. Even though I’m already half way through the program I don’t like it. I don’t like working in a hospital setting with a bunch of people. I rather work in a small facility like a clinic. Hospitals are too demanding with their staff for the amount of pay you get. And for the amount of patients you get per day is a lot of stress. Another thing I noticed is that RT’s can only work in hospitals unlike an RN can work in different areas like clinics schools hospice care or home health. RT degree is very limited to where you can work. I think within time it can get boring and people may find themselves going back to school and change careers. Also the amount of charting we do as RT’s is insane. We’re learning more about how to chart every patient and each time it takes us almost 15 minutes to complete. Not including interruptions and emergency situations. I think my biggest mistake was that I did not do enough research before deciding to get in the program. I did not know anything about it. My goal was to be a nurse but since I couldn’t get into the program, I decided to give RT program a try. And now I’m finding myself not enjoying it. Any words of advise would be greatly appreciated thank you for understanding. I would feel like a failure if I let this opportunity pass me by, but it’s not so much about the money that matters, is more about self fulfillment.
Thats crazy. Im kinda in the same page as you except i'm just getting accepted into the RT for fall 2020 but the energy isnt there. I dont feel passionate about going in
Janelys Gonzalez maybe wait until you go to clinicals to see if you really like it. It’ll make more sense to you. I don’t like it
Sorry for the late reply! I'm having issues with comment notifications. I think right now it is probably hard to gage things. Healthcare is in a strange place where many hospital ICUs are over run with patients but they are running staff short to make up for lost money (due to no elective surgeries) during the pandemic.
I love the adrenaline and I love being able to watch a patient's progress through their healthcare journey.
I hope you are able to experience things at more than one hospital because the way each one is run and the team dynamics are SO different.
Make sure you explore all of your options such as sleep labs, PFTs, children's hospitals, etc.
You may not have found your niche yet and that is okay. I always recommended doing lots of research before jumping into a career to make sure you will like it but if you find yourself unsatisfied checkbout some other areas and programs to see what you might like. How many more clinical rotations do you have?
Breathe Easy I have three weeks left for the summer semester to end and then we take two weeks off and start fall. So far we have only been able to do clinicals at one hospital because of COVID-19. I think this is one reason why I’m finding the program challenging and not interesting. You brought a good point, practicing at different hospitals would make the experience so much different and enjoyable. I didn’t think about that. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, our schedule has been modified. Like you said, perhaps I haven’t found my niche yet, and I’m only looking at a small part of it all. I hope I can advance into the program so that I’m able to see more. I would hate to quit now and miss on a great opportunity. This semester we’re learning about mechanical ventilation and it has been the hardest semester so far. Very challenging with a lot of critical thinking. But being in ICU during clinicals helps me to understand the concepts a lot better. I hope to get passed this dry period of the program and see the benefits of it all. I know once I graduate, I can practice my license at a hospital and learn so much more. It will open the doors for something better in my life, and if for any reason I decide to change careers, I can always go back to school for something else. By no means do I think RT’s don’t deserve any respect. If anything, they do the work that most won’t do. And they need to be acknowledged for their work ethics. They are an important asset in healthcare. Thank you for your kind words and for helping me see things from a different perspective. Sometimes, I’m so closed minded that I forget to see the bigger picture. Good luck with your job. I will continue to watch your videos. They are very informative and educational. Please let me know if you have any more suggestions. Thank you again.
I don’t think you were being closed minded at all. Online schooling and schedule/clinical changes with everything going on has to be really frustrating.
I hope you're able to have a better experience on your next rotations also 💗
I'm always here if you need anything or have questions!
I would love to help people in their lives I love people but i dont have a passion for it. I DONT KNOW WHAT MY PASSION IS AND IM FREAKING THE FREAK OUT
If you would love to help people, that sounds like a passion to me! I think you might be over thinking it. If you are interested in a certain area, go for it!
Warning!!!!! Something not really mentioned in these videos is, depending on your state, new grads may have a hard time finding work. I graduated in 2012 and obtained my RRT credentials within 3 months. It took me a whole year and countless interviews to finally land a per diem position. The problem is, in major cities, this field is over saturated. Post COVID-19, we may a mass deferment of RRT’s. Either way keep fighting the good fight all.
How on earth did you get your credentials in three months?
@@welcome_home_son I took my CRT the week after I graduated and applied for my license at the same time. Is it more difficult now? It was a simple, besides the exams and and all the fees, process for me. I got my license within a few weeks and knew I had passed my exams within minutes of taking them.
@@otakuvillain6829 I think i misunderstood you. You still did two years of school right?
@@welcome_home_son Oh yes I did, that was still two years lol.
This video was so helpful! You gave me so many answers that I needed💕
So happy it was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Phenomenal advice. Been doing this 16yr. Love my job.
Every day i am working with patients.I tried to make a smile on my patients face by helping them.99.9 % patients are smiling on me when i am helping them,that makes my day.At the end of the day i always had a pleasant feeling which helps me sleep well and rewarded.
That is the best feeling, isn't it? ❤
Breathe Easy ..exactly..i was an engineering student,after 2 years i dropped out only because my mind always says like" you are not made for working on machines,you should works on other peoples life to make them happy"..and then i ended up doing a career in health care field which i am so happy about that every single day.Money is not the best feeling guys,the best feeling is our happiness in what we are doing.
Hey, I’m a 16 year old in my junior year and .. I want to be in the medical field , helping others because that’s truly what I want to do , it makes me happy knowing I made a difference big or small , I was never in a medical program in high school or middle school so I don’t know much because I recently decided the medical field is a good choice for me. But I have a mentor and she was telling me how I should start off as a respiratory therapist and how I can work my way up in the medical field. I agree with her because I don’t know where to start in the medical field and the program is only two years .. I know nothing is hard ... I don’t expect the program to be easy and I don’t care for the money. I’m doing more research of a RT and I’m glad I came across your video🙂... is their any advice or suggestions you would like to give me ?
Hey! RT is a great field! I know a few people that started off in RT the went on to medical school or PA school later.
If you can find someone to shadow I think that would be helpful, not all hospitals allow it though. Keep studying, be open to constructive criticism and take any opportunity to learn that you are given.
Good luck and feel free to reach out to me any time if you have questions.
Breathe Easy aww thank you ❤️ because I really wanted to be a physician assistant first but to get my feet out their and to have experienced my mentor said I should to RT because it’s a 2 year program ... all I have to do is take my prerequisite classes. But I’m in Florida so I know things are different from other states. I’ll do more research to see how I can transition into a PA
I love her breakdown of it. I am switching my major to this.
Thank you! Let me know if I can help with anything!
Yes will do semester starts in the fall
How exciting! Congratulations!
I really I’m interested in respiratory therapist is because my aunt used to be on and she sadly passed away but I’m also so want do do this because of my asthma to
I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. Good luck on your journey into RT!
Amazing video I’m still researching for this major or career but This video helps a lot 👍🏾💯
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
Hi! I'm someone who is currently looking at the RT program and was wondering if you think this might be a good career as a back up. I want to be a PA but was looking at this as a backup degree in case I don't get into PA school the first try, I'm aware that I need to be an RT for 2-3 years and am ok with that but this does seem interesting and I think the knowledge I acquire here will help during PA school and when I get into the field. Thank you! I just want to get some other opinions!
Quite a few RTs go on to become PAs actually and really feel it helps them with vent management, diagnostics, bedside care and emergency medicine (since we usually go to all codes). I love this field so I am happy with my choice so far 😊 Just make sure you do some research on pay scales in your area as well as job availability. Good luck!
Congrats Im graduation on may 9th. My last day of class is April 30th!!😄🎊🎉🎉🎊🎉🎊
Congratulations! Mine is in August!
Breathe Easy August will be here in no time!! 😀
Congratulations 🎉🎊.. mine is in June
essam alhujaili Thanks Im preparing for graduation tomorrow morning😂😃😄 so excited!!
Thank you, for sharing this video with us! I'm starting RT school in August and getting nervous since I was on the waiting list for two years! My grandfather inspired me to become a RT because he had problem over the years with Bronchitis and Pneumonia.
Congratulations on getting in! The experience you had with your grandfather is going to make you a much more compassionate therapist.
Breathe Easy thank you for your positive feedback! Please share more videos and congratulations on getting close to finishing up with the RT program!
I’m considering this program but I am a slight germ freak. I don’t mind analyzing fluids as long they don’t go on me. I had a dream that I was helping someone and they coughed blood all over me and I woke up terrified. Would cardiology technician be better program for me ??
I understand being worried about those things but things like that are not an every day occurence, especially if you aren't working in critical care or an emergency department.
As a cardiovascular technologist you will still be around sick people but I'm honestly sure to what extent. I haven't had the pleasure of working with anyone in that area yet.
If any of y’all decide to become RTs be ready to be thoroughly under-appreciated and largely ignored, while constantly bending to the whims of nursing left and right. They’ll make the rules and you’ll just learn keep your bellyaching to yourself over time because you’ll realize that the people you’ll look to for help or your bosses are all probably nurses; there being a scant few exceptions to this rule depending on the facility. Good money though, which it seems is maybe all that matters to anyone these days...
Or you could advocate for change instead of just bellyaching when something bothers you.
Breathe Easy if you say so, Miss
I'm getting my associates but I want to get my bach
What state you in?
thanks, your video are very helpfull. Im starting classes in august im so excited
That's awesome! Let me know if you have any questions along the way and thank you for your support! 😊
diaaablooo me too! Congrats!
What type of math does RT deal with? I'm very very terrible at math and that's what scares me. If you can,may you please give me an example or two
Basic algebra. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, etc.
Just brush up onnyournirder of operations and get tutoring if you need it. Math won't be a big enough obstacle to make you not succeed.
When you said "figure out what the best thing to do for your patient", do you think a perfectionist will have issues as a respiratory therapist? Sometimes I overanalyze the situation, but will that put my patient in danger or make me a bad RT? I REALLY want to help people and I used to work at a children's hospital and want to come back to that.
It won't make you a bad RT. There are a ton of perfectionists in the world of healthcare. You just need experience and to learn what each process is then you won't over think it because you already know what is happening. On a side note, critical thinking and thinking outside the box can be really useful in a situation that everyone is lost in.
Slay, here for this kind of video!
Thank you for your vlog! I’m considering the field, I’m located in southern NV and enrolling in CSN. I’ve seen a few of your vlogs are you located in NV? I ask because you have referenced the state a few times. I can’t wait to start school and get a degree! Thank you again!
PS
I may vlog my own journey 😀 I’m a WOC, in my mid 30’s, married with children (one is autistic) and I work full time... is that too much lol!
XO,
Jess
I'm in Nevada as well.
I think starting a blog would be great! You've got this!
I’m also in Nevada and I’m going to sign up for Pima institute for RTT instead of CSN due to all of the prerequisites you have to do before your even in the program
Thank you so much for making this video.. you just explain everything i want to say
Thanks for watching!
Been wanting to do this but the only problem is that I’m Active Army and the only online courses I see is BA or BA I think 🤔 in RT which requires you to already hVe an associates so I am at a lost
That's a bummer. I know we get airforce students quite a bit and my work. Does the army offer any courses in it?
Hello, I have a question that you may not get very often but im wondering because im wanting to pick a career I can travel with and I wanted to know if I moved to a country that as had respiratory therapist jobs like France or Germany could I possibly use my certification from US there?
This was informative.
Is this a career for people who love helping people in general? I was considering physical therapy but there aren’t any programs in my area. My son has asthma and I absolutely love helping people.
Absolutely! The experience with your son's asthma will really help you see things from another perspective.
I have a Tshirt that sums up RT perfectly:
Respiratory Therapists are the Batman of Healthcare.
We get the signal, show up with our gadgets,
Save the day, and then dissappear. ..
And y'all don't even know our name.
IYKYK
So, why did you choose RT? And where do you see yourself in this career pathway?
I have a whole video of why I chose RT but the gist is that the more I learned about RT, the more it resonated with me and I had some positive encounters with RTs in the past.
I see myself advancing perhaps into an advanced practice Respiratory therapist or education. Both are viable options for me in the future.
Breathe Easy I have been watching some of your videos. All videos are very informative and made me realize some things I did not know about RT. I applied for the program last year but did not qualify somehow :/ However that is not stopping me from applying again this year. It might’ve made me feel discouraged but I am going to try it again. Praying and hoping that I will make it this year. I live I Hawai’i and there is only one school here in our island that has the RT program, thus it will be extra competitive. Tbh I’m super nervous and I’m scared. Any helpful advice that will help me feel less scared? Lolol
I can understand being nervous, we all are when applying. Show them your passion for the program in your essays, your words and your actions. It can be difficult but put your most authentic self out there for them to see 💕 Things will work out how they are meant to. Good luck, Eloisa!
Thank you for this. This helped me a lot!
Happy to help any time!
I really want to be a respitory therapist and I was wondering if after high school you can go straight to respitory therapy school
Hey Jasmine! Just check what the prerequisites for the programs in your area are and you may be able to do them before graduating (classes, volunteer hours, letters of recommendation, etc.)
Good luck!
Hey did u take RT program after your high School?
In school for RT and Im taking my pre-reqs.so Ima get it
Do you have time for a life outside of respiratory therapy? I’m 14 thinking about becoming one but I still want to be able to live
Absolutely! Most of us only work 3 days a week (12 hour shifts) with 4 days off. You can pick up more if you would like, but I don't find it necessary (in my city at least) to live comfortably.
Breathe Easy Yessss that’s amazing thank you
I love our video! I am going to start my program in the fall 2018. Is there any books that I can read over the summer that will help with my first year class?
Hey! Congrats on starting the program! It depends on what classes you are starting with and how your program is set up. A lot of the books I bought were foe things like mechanical ventilation which you want to wait until you get there in class to dive into lol. To save some money, you could check out videos from Respiratory Review, Med Cram, and Strong Medicine that will give you an over view on some RT topics without breaking the bank lol. A good book though (kinda like a text book) is called Green's Respiratory Therapy. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Can you change from an RT to an RN?
12 hours shift all weekdays for the rest of your career?! Does it get better - less time - over the pass years or it remains the same? 60 hours per week is just to much for me, can you maybe get at least 40 hours per week?
Definitly not every day of the week lol. Usually it is 12 hour shifts three days a week, so a total of 36 hours then 4 days off. You can pick up more shifts if you want to but it isn't necessary.
Breathe Easy
Your reply so quick - thanks for the info.
Anyway, I have a questions for you, how was your experience In the respiratory program? How many hours did you put in for the studies - at least for the day or week? how much time did you need to practice after classes? And how smart do you need to be? Does the programs evolve math somehow - if so how good you need to be?
Sorry for the difficult questions but I’m on my way to get into this program, and so I need to know more in what I’m getting myself into.
It is an extremely stressful and time consuming program (as any program dealing with people's lives is) but over all, I loved it. It is very fast paced, constantly changing, challenging, exciting and fulfilling.
The rest of the questions are a bit subjective because hours you need to study varies greatly from person to person based on personal ability, which subject is being covered, and how many exams/projects you have at that time. I studied every day with an occasional day off once every few weeks. Some days I only studied 1 to 2 hours other days I studies for 8+ hours, so it is hard to say.
The program involves math but nothing greater than basic algebra. If you haven't done that type of math in a while just brush up a bit and you'll be fine :)
Breathe Easy
Thanks you for this very useful info. But if you don’t mind I’m concern with something. What’s the difference between the associate degree and the bachelor degree? Could you get the job with the associate degree only - the two year program- because I’m going with the associate degree program but not sure if I be fine with that? Thank you. Promise that this is my final question - I’m just not sure which to go so that’s why I’m asking?
Bachelor degrees will help you get into management or education in the future. Some states prefer their employees to have a bachelor degree over an associate degree. For that information try reaching out to the society for respiratory care in your state and perhaps searching job postings in your state to see what the hospitals there require.
I am an incoming intern and my first day comes tomorrow! Any tips for me?
Hey! I would say be eager to learn and take any opportunity given to experience something new. You'll do great! Take lots of notes!
Do you have to become a CNA or EMT, since that gives you patient care experience before pursuing RT?
I know people who have and they said it helped them but I don't think it is 100% necessary
No! EMT or CNA is not necessary! Find a program & apply. RESPIRATORY Therapy is totally different.
Good luck
I have a bachelors in health science and I’m looking into RT, is there a benefit in me having my BS and then an AS in RT?
Depends on the area you live in. It may make you more marketable and is easier to get into management in the future.
I have bachelor's in health sciences now I would like to do respiratory therapy please suggest me where should I study nd I am an Indian but I want to study nd settle in abroad pls suggest me
Thanks for your informative video. Was just wondering what i could expect as an hourly salary for a RT with an associate's degree? Does that jump much higher with a BA?
Check out recent job postings in your area because salary cares widely by city/state. Some places offer slightly 4e wist a BSRT but nothing substantial that I've heard unless you are getting into management
Hi, do I apply for RT school or university for Bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy? I graduated from college months ago and ready to go abroad to study but I'm really confused what to do next
Very informative thank you!
Hey. I’m going for a Bachelor of Public Health, but I want to become a Respiratory Therapist. Will this degree that I am pursuing (Public Health) work? Thanks for the great video!😀
You have to have a specific degree in RT and pass licensing exams to work in the area unfortunately
Would you suggest RT for someone who wants to be a PA in the future? I don’t have enough money for a masters but I have a full ride for my major and associates, therefore I’m starting my RT program in August and then I’d do my bachelors and masters in the following 4-5 years after graduating as an RT. However I’m worried that I won’t be able to find a good job if I’m not registered and I hear registering takes years. Is the career worth it if I’m not planning to become a registered RT and only planning to be certified?
Additionally, do you think it is doable to work full time and complete my bachelors on the side? I hear most work weeks are usually 3 12 hour shifts and then 4 days off, why is it usually this way?
The only thing you need to become an RRT is your associate's in respiratory therapy and then you become eligible to take your boards. There are two board exams you take but it shouldn't take too long. Most place require you to be registered now in order to ve hired but it is only one addition exam.
I know quite a few people that have gone from RT to PA but I would talk to some advisors to make sure your credits will be transferrable.
Yes it is doable. I'm currently working on my BSRT and working 4-5 12 hour shifts per week.
The 12 hour shifts allow you to take more days off between shifts if you want to.
I love your videos I just got accepted into RT school I start in Aug
Congratulations! That's amazing!
I can tell you the negatives, I defer to other for the positives 😮
Do you think a pass rate of 88% is bad for a respiratory program? I'm on the fence about applying to my local college, but shouldn't that % be in the 90s?
i just pass both my boards, it is not 88%. people fail there boards usually in the first attempt, but if u study and a good test taker you can pass it no problem.
@@iantru9929 I should have clarified. It's not the pass rate for the boards.....the 88% pass rate is for the actual program itself. Only 88% of people make it through. 88% seems like a good number on paper, but considering other programs in the area are high 90s, it just concerned me a bit.
Do RT have good scope?
I wanna be a nurse for children/teens with cystic fibrosis, can I pick where I work and who I work with??? Or do they just throw me where they need me??
You just have to apply for a job in the area you would like unless you are in a floor pool
I have heard from Indeed that RT is not easy to find a job after school. Is that true?
Depends on the area. I know people that had jobs before graduating and other that waited a while. California and Nevada both tend to be a bit oversaturated but the Midwest and Eastcoast are in desperate need
@@BreatheEasyRRT Thank you very much for the reply. Interestingly I am living in Canada and do you have any friends who knows the situation here. Anyway, your video is great and just subscribed your channel.
@@Roosevelt-q8thello excuse me if I might ask what did you ended up choosing? Because I was also thinking the same thing and it also scares me a little bit and I’m also in Canada
do u need to lift patient or not coz i have problems with my bones
Depends on what is required of you at your place of employment. A lot of hospitals don't require it but you may get asked to help by nursing or other staff.
Thank you
Hey I was wondering what is your opinions on respiratory therapists online schools? It seems that most of them are scam of some sort, Is that the case?
I'm not familiar with all of the various online schools but I actually just started working with a really great RT that went to an online school. I think, just like RT school, you get out of it what you put in. It is probably also helpful to be working in the medical field already or in an area you will have more access to get your hands on experience.
I cant get past how pretty this womans eyes are. Haha. Anyway. Im listening. Im considering RT.
Hey I am thinking of becoming one too did u happen to take an entrance exam and was the math hard I am not really good at math do u think this would be a good field for me do u actually use a lot of math
Hey!
I took an entrance exam to get in. We never really go above basic algebra but most of the calculations you do day to day will be simple math.
If you want to go into RT, go for it! 😊
Very informative
3 to 4K a week as a traveler today, not the best? I don’t know many professions that even pay that for a PhD.
What? Traveler?
@@ashtonnn777 one would be AB staffing under RT needed in Arizona
@@ashtonnn777 max health.com MD rrt/crt 48 hours 8 week, 8 week contract $5280 a week, Baltimore
That was a great video 😊
Currently doing my prerequisites for the RT program
are the classes hard
Darice C I’m not the in the program yet, and I’m guessing those classes are hard. So far, my prerequisites are Anatomy&Physiology 1&2, Microbiology, College Composition, Psychology, Chemistry, Medical Terminology and Medical Ethics and Law. It really depends on what classes you find hard for yourself. For me, the most challenging of all of them has been anatomy&physiology. Everything else is fairly easy
@@Ilovebears11 okay I think Chemistry will be hard for me. is Math a prerequisite? And is a bachelors degree offered to RT
Darice C I think chemistry will be hard for me too I haven’t done it yet and yes math is but if you get a high enough score on the Accuplacer you can test out of taking it! And yes at some schools
anyone from toronto who can advice me on how to start ? :(
How much do RTs make? Is it more than RNs?
Depends on the location and specialty. In vegas we start out pretty close, maybe a few dollars difference
If you have a bachelor's degree in biology can you sit for the exam or where do you go from their
You have to graduate from a program specifically in Respiratory Therapy to be able to sit for the exams.
@@BreatheEasyRRT okay thank you are the classes hard in the respiratory therapy program
Plz plz tell me what type of science will there be? Is it mostly physical science? Plz explain!! 😊
I hope you get to answer my question.
Anatomy and physiology, some physics, etc.
Breathe Easy thank you so much! I’m thinking about becoming a RT.
My goal is to be a crna but i never thought about starting off as a rt since it deals with gases and other things that nurse anesthetist do. Which u consider best?
Hey, sorry! For some reason this comment just popped up on my feed. You will get a good grasp on blood gases and the cardio pulmonary system but I don't think there is any type of bridge program from RT to RN. For CRNAs I believe you need to go to nursing school first. So unless you are okay with the additional schooling, I'm not sure it would be the best way to go.
but i interested with this job
Do you have to deal with lots of blood and giving shots?😂
how much money do respiratory therapists make?
Depends on the area. Some areas in the south go as low as $20 others can make $60+/hour. Check out job postings for the area you are interested in living in and that should give you an idea for your area.
Can i start the first semester online??
There are some program that offer online courses but unusually don't recommend that unless you already work in the medical field.
What did you major in ?
Respiratory therapy
♥️
I just want money
vickimon honestly
Good, this is the right place for you then...my advice to you is to just remind yourself about the money through all the shit you’ll go through. P.S. she doesn’t seem to mention it but while our badges may read, ”Resp. Therapist” it might as well say, “RN’s bitch” because that’s pretty much what we are for the most part, with a few exceptions here and there depending on the facility of course.
😂😂😂
@CafeAuLait TX RN is pretty hard to get into for me. My GPA is 3.08 which is low and I think it's a factor that's holding me back from any program. Surgical tech, Respiratory I got the acceptance letters.
Choose R.N., NOT respiratory therapist. Physicians refer to respiratory as 'ancillary', lumped in with C.N.A.s. Despite taking the same general education, prerequisites and sciences respiratory earns about 20% to 30% LESS THAN R.N.s.
R.N.s and M.D.s ate lunch, conversed idly, and even dated/married; yet, NEARLY never, can the same be said of the LOWLY respiratory therapist. My usual contribution to the 'team' was, " SaO2 is something %" followed by, "ok, ya sure", by the Pulmonologist. 37 years of such 'team work' was not pleasant, or worth it. Further, the nature of the discipline greatly diminishes the areas needed, thus opportunities are diminished. Choose R.N., NOT respiratory therapist.
Sounds like you have a super toxic work environment 🤔 my experience has been nothing like that.
@@BreatheEasyRRT Your comment lacks any address of the short commings inherent to the profession. No thank you.
I've never had a physician refer to me or colleagues as 'ancillary' so that sounds like a personal experience. The 20 to 30% less depends on location with the southern states paying less. I also know RTs that converse with, eat with or that are married to doctors, nurses, techs but I'm not quite sure how marital/dating status plays into a professional role but again this sounds like a personal work experience of yours.
You mentioned "my usual contribution" why is that all you are contributing? If you are contributing more that an SaO2, and your physician responds the same way, again that sounds like an environmental issue or perhaps the approach at building rapport is off. And how does "the nature of the discipline" diminish itself and what are you doing besides complaining on the internet to strangers to fix it?
@@BreatheEasyRRT I try and watch every respiratory therapy video on TH-cam because I’m so excited to get into the program. I’m constantly reading comments to stay determined while on the waitlist. The guy that posted that literally copies and pasts the same thing on every RT channel. It sucks because comments like that can discourage potential RT’s. He’s been doing it for months 🤥🤦🏻♀️
He had a poor experience and has nothing more constructive to do with his time. Pay no mind to him, there are bitter people in every profession.
Spanishhhhhh please
I wish I spoke Spanish!
I HATE IT!!!!!!!!
Do not go into respiratory. You will work like a dog.
I respectfully disagree. Perhaps it is your work place or area. We certainly do have busy days, especially during the winter, but I do not "work like a dog".
@@BreatheEasyRRT hey was this program extremely hard? And whats the starting pay for rt?
Hey. Any medical program is difficult.
It varies a ton by state but in Nevada starting fulltime for new grads is about $30/hr. perdiem is around $40+/hr but other states it is as low as $20 for a full time job. So make sure you research whatever state/city you live in.