Respiratory to RN

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Nov 25, 2009

I'm not sure how it is at your school, but at my school, the pre-reqs for nursing and RT are the same, with the exception of pharmacology. Do you have the pre-reqs for RT finished already? If so, and you are able to, sure, go that route. Or you could just work on your pre-reqs for nursing.

sunnycalifRN · Nov 25, 2009

Oh, I can answer this one from experience. I tried to get into nursing first, but only got onto the "wait list". So, I did the respiratory therapy program and worked as an RRT for 10 yrs. I thoroughly enjoyed working in RT; you get a lot of ICU experience; of course, you're the vent expert and can do ABG sticks in your sleep. You get to participate in all the codes; in some hospitals, the RT's are allowed to intubate and start art lines.

At some point, I decided to try again for nursing; this time I got in and finished the program. I work in ICU and it's a great fit. All the oxygenation/ventilation issues are second nature. I do the vent orientation for our new hires.

Of course, it's a long way around to get into nursing, the "scenic route", as my kids say; but, the background in respiratory is great, especially for ICU.

litebrightgirl · Nov 25, 2009

ICU is exactly where I want to work. I shadowed a RT and he let me intubate(on a maniquin, of course) and he said I got it on the first try and that's a sign I should be a RT. It was an adrenaline rush, even if it was fake.

JDCitizen · Nov 25, 2009

Multidisciplinary knowledge; win-win for you and your pateints.

GilaRRT · Nov 25, 2009

Absolutely insane advice IMHO. I am sure the respiratory folks will be more than happy to let you take a slot in the program, only to leave for nursing. If you manage to get in, leaving the program for nursing will not win you any friends or favors.

If you go into an RT program, do so with the goal of completing it. In addition, all the nursing school bull will be hard to swallow after you already have your RRT license. I am having to deal with this as a RN who is now a RT student. However, about half of my RT class is students who dropped out of the nursing program. Every one tells me the RT program is much better structured and more fun than nursing school, in spite of having to take extra chemistry and physics courses. Who knows, RT may be your calling?

sunnycalifRN · Nov 26, 2009

If you go into an RT program, do so with the goal of completing it. In addition, all the nursing school bull will be hard to swallow after you already have your RRT license. I am having to deal with this as a RN who is now a RT student. However, about half of my RT class is students who dropped out of the nursing program. Every one tells me the RT program is much better structured and more fun than nursing school, in spite of having to take extra chemistry and physics courses. Who knows, RT may be your calling?

I would agree that she should not go into the RT program as a "holding pattern", waiting for acceptance into a nursing program. But, if she completes the program and works as an RRT, experience as an RRT will complement her later practice as an RN, IMHO.

JDCitizen · Nov 26, 2009

I would agree that she should not go into the RT program as a "holding pattern", waiting for acceptance into a nursing program. But, if she completes the program and works as an RRT, experience as an RRT will complement her later practice as an RN, IMHO.

Oops missed the "until" part.... One program at a time don't mess with someone else's possible slot.

Jubilayhee · Nov 26, 2009

Just finish your pre reqs and then apply the nursing program. Dont enroll in a RT program if working as an RT is not your goal.

litebrightgirl · Nov 26, 2009

GilaRN, why did you decide to become a RT after completing a RN program?

GilaRRT · Nov 26, 2009

I sustained a potentially career ending injury. If I can look at sleep lab or diagnostic lab work, the RT credentials in addition to RN credentials could put me ahead of the competition for these positions.