New Grad thinking about Respiratory Therapy

ButtonNose · Oct 12, 2011

You seem to know your personal pros and cons of moving from RN to RT. If you truly believe that you will be happier and more content with doing that for the rest of your working career I say go for it.

I guess if I were in your shoes I would probably pursue an RN job for a year just to test the waters and confirm or reject pursuing an RT career. Good luck!

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Oct 12, 2011

In Alberta the pay scales between RN and RT aren't that different, maybe a couple of bucks an hour. As well, most of the benefits and perks are the same. And I wouldn't say that the possibilities for career advancement are that limited for RTs either. At the hospital where I work they can be anaesthesia techs (pay scale is slightly higher than the RN one), members of transport teams, ECLS specialists and perfusionists, as well as PALS/ACLS/NRP instructors, educators and managers.

Ionno31 · Oct 13, 2011

To Janfrn: YOU'RE NOT HELPING! You were supposed to tell me how much better RNs have it! I'm kidding of course, but now I seriously don't know what to do haha. I think in BC the payscale is 3 or 4 bucks difference between RN and RT? Even as an AA (Anesthesia Assistant), the hourly rate remains the same. I'm getting all this information from health authority websites so I'm assuming they're accurate.

It's a battle between the brain and the heart, really. :uhoh3:

Sharmilarrt · Oct 16, 2011

I am a respiratory therapist. Worked all different areas of the hospital. I really love what we do. I have a b.sc degree before I go to respiratory therapy. 99% of the students had a degree before they came to the program. I didn't like to go into nursing because I didn't like what they do especially moving patients and changing their clothes etc.... Another reason that I did respiratory therapy after my degree because I didn't get any job that I wanted. Resp. Is a good program and you can do many different things with it. Sleep medicine, aa, etc... You already have nursing degree,... You should consider working for couple of years... And decide... With nursing you can do masters.. With resp you cannot do much with the masters degree... But you should like what you do ...because you're going to do this rest of your life.... I really like my job and I am proud about it....hope it helps you ...

Fiona59 · Oct 16, 2011

The RTs in my hospital are great but stressed as well. I think it comes with it being a large hospital with a very varied patient base.

Can you face being tied to a pager and beeped to units STAT?

Our RTs have been known to dress patients and one particular favourite has been fantastic about helping nurses with transfers.

Oh, and our RTs work shift as well, so it's not going to be easier on your "real" life.

ruralgirl08 · Oct 17, 2011

I am not sure if they use them in BC, but have you thought about Physician Assistant? They are educated in the medical model, and seem to have alot of variety in where they can work. I think it's two years after your degree completion. Also, back to the original question. I would say try nursing for a bit, if its not what you want to do, go back to school for something that you feel would make you happy.

agiboma, BSN, MSN, NP · Oct 17, 2011

To OP do what feels right to you. When my son was in NICU i had the pleasure of meeting some really great RT's infact they where all fantastic. I think RT's are great and if you really feel drawn to the field you should not look at the additional 2 years of schooling as a drawback to persuing a RT career.

When we visit NICU for follow up i always go on the unit and ask for some of our favourite RT's. They really do leave a lasting impression on patients. At least in my case they did.

GL

Ionno31 · Oct 21, 2011

I stopped getting email notifications after my last reply, didn't even realize I had gotten more responses!

Thanks everyone for your advice. I've come to my senses and decided to make the best use of my degree. Again, it's not like I don't enjoy nursing so I might as well do it for a couple of years first.

To ruralgirl08: We don't have PAs in BC yet, but I imagine it won't be long till we start using them. I've been tracking the PA pilot project in ON and keeping a very close eye to the development. It's definitely something I would try if PAs become more prevalent in Canada!

katiemarie4 · Mar 24, 2013

Ionno31,

Are you happy with Nursing still? I just graduated high school and have been accepted into both schools for RT and RN. I have been thinking the same thing as you and cannot decide what program to take!