[DST2RN]

I have 3 out of the 5 people I know taking nursing science to become a R.N. officially fail out. While talking to a newer R.N. who was a RT, I opened my big mouth and said I'm sure glad I'm taking Respiratory therapy and not nursing science (BIG MISTAKE) She lit me up and matter of fact sounding told me RT school is no joke and some of the classes were as hard as anything she ever did in nursing science. Is this true? cause I know becoming a R.N. is very hard. Not taking anything away from RT'S heck it's what I want to do but I was just under a false assumption that RN school is much more difficult.

[widi96]

I don't know about a specific comparison, but nursing school is hard. I don't know about school for RT's but I know the ones at our hospital are all extremely intelligent - I wouldn't doubt any of them couldn't make it through nursing school.

[nursekatie22]

I don't know about the schooling aspect, but it must be at the very least challenging because when I was in school, those RTs saved my ass on more than on occasion....they knew their stuff and were a HUGE help to have around (especially before our respiratory tests! )

[elizabeth321]

RT is more focused...but what they know they know well....a good RT is always great to have around...their scope of practise is quite limited though.

Liz

[S.T.A.C.E.Y]

Becoming an RT is plenty difficult. I have a friend in RT school, and for her I believe its a 3yr college program. Lots of A&P, pharm, treatments, etc. Her textbooks are just as big as my nursing ones, and she studies just as much, if not more. Far less of the emotional, psycho-social, sociology, family stuff.

RNs know alittle about a broad spectrum of stuff. RTs know a heck of a lot about a much narrower scope. And I think new-grad RTs might even get paid more than new-grad RNs here.

No lack of respect for RTs from this soon-to-be nurse!

[DST2RN]

Originally Posted by S.T.A.C.E.Y

Becoming an RT is plenty difficult. I have a friend in RT school, and for her I believe its a 3yr college program. Lots of A&P, pharm, treatments, etc. Her textbooks are just as big as my nursing ones, and she studies just as much, if not more. Far less of the emotional, psycho-social, sociology, family stuff.

RNs know alittle about a broad spectrum of stuff. RTs know a heck of a lot about a much narrower scope. And I think new-grad RTs might even get paid more than new-grad RNs here.

No lack of respect for RTs from this soon-to-be nurse!

Yes, at the college, I'm taking the class at, nursing science is 4 semesters and RT is 4 semesters and 1 mandatory summer session. both have similiar pre reqs BIO, ANAT, CHEM, etc. Like I said earlier I was always under the impression that nursing school was much harder, but thats why I'm here askin you guys to set me straight, even tho I work at a Big district hospital I don't speak of my goals and such to co-workers cause talk is cheap, and I got a long road ahead!!!! and I doubt the RT'S or RN'S want to hear about my goals????

[S.T.A.C.E.Y]

Originally Posted by UndecidedNso.cal

and I doubt the RT'S or RN'S want to hear about my goals????

LOL. Ya, sometimes they don't....but sometimes they do! I've had several people get all snippity when they ask me if this clinical area is what I want to do or where I want to work. When I politely explain that no it isn't, I am very interested in another area, they suddenly no longer want to hear anything I have to say. I suppose nobody likes to hear that you're not interested in working in their specialty, but whatever. I love to hear about people goals, what they want to do, and where they want to take their education. I find so few people in school actually have any idea what they want to do with their life, its nice to hear from somebody with some focus.

Do you plan to go to RN school after RT school? What do you hope to do with your RT?

[DST2RN]

Do you plan to go to RN school after RT school? What do you hope to do with your RT?[/quote]


I would like to one day work in the NICU or PEDS , our NICU only allows seasoned RT'S in the unit , and maybe work at childrens hospital in L.A. I dont mind one bit being a neb jockey as they call it and startin out on the floors going to the occasional code blue and learning, I want to know my $hit before I go to the NICU cause I know those little ones can dump so fast!!! As far as R.N. not sure the RT teacher for my program is a former RT now he's a Nurse practioner maybe follow is route over a long long period of time I have to work full time like so many of us do.