LVN or RT for career choice.Confused

I am in school right now for my LPN and I definately want to work in a hospital. I originally wanted to be a surgical technologist but decided to go LPN because I would make more money and have more choices in case I became bored with that area (could move to another area). I would suggest you do what you WANT to do. Don't do the RT just because you will work in a hospital (make sure you will like it 10 years from now). The LPN may give you more room to work with (I am going on for my RN), and can work any area (OR, RT, whatever). But, if you won't like it it won't matter anyway. Do what will make you happy. Good luck.

RTs who are employed in hospitals aren't paid extremely well; in fact, many earn less than $30,000 yearly in some areas.

Many sub-acute LPNs work with ventilator-dependent patients on a daily basis and administer breathing treatments around the clock. The RT's scope of practice is limited, but the LPN's scope of practice is more open and varied. If you were to become an LPN, you could specialize in LTC sub-acute respiratory therapy and, basically, perform the same duties as an RT but posess a valuable nursing license.

I know I am probably sounding very biased toward the LPN program. However, the education for becoming an RT is pricey. The education for becoming an LPN is pricey. Good luck with your future career plans.

RT is more limited in what they do, but I disagree that they are paid low. I live in Southern California and my hospital only hires LVN's in their clinics, rehab, and dialysis. On their HR web page they list LVN wages from $13-17/hr for RT they list wages of $20-26/hr. RT is in all areas of the hospital. I think you need to decide where you want to be in the future..if you want to work in the hospital but don't want to be limited to Resp then consider an ADN program (RN). ADN programs are about the length of RT. If you think you would be happy doing RT and working in multiple areas of the hospital, then go for that. Another option is to go the LVN route and work while doing a RN bridge program. The options are there...narrow down your goals and interests. RT wages are more and they work throughout the hospital where I work...and of course this varies throughout the US. LVN's are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain hospital jobs in many areas throughout the US. Check the hospitals in your area to see how they use LV/PNs and the requirements to secure a job in this role. Some may hire LV/PNs but may only hire seasoned nurses vs new grads.
Good Luck,
Missy

sorry this was a duplicate post

Hey! I also considered becoming an RT in my desperation to become a nurse bc the waiting lists were so long for nursing, but they had just started the RT program at my community college so it was direct entry with no wait. Plus you can bridge over to RN from RT too in a year just like LPN to RN. I chose LPN bc I feel it more prepares me to be an RN. Also, LPN is only 1 year while RT is 2 yrs. So one year plus the bridge or 2 yrs plus the bridge. Im glad I chose LPN but its definitely a personal choice!

I will say that in the area I live they dont hire LPNs often in the hospital and when they do they want experienced LPNS, not new grads. Plus the hospital pay is lowwwww. Im currently working in peds home health getting paid pretty well and love it. I may try to get a hospital job later even part time just to keep my skills up to par, or I may just wait till I get my RN and Ill relearn them in clinicals. Im probably going to go to the RN program next January, and the cool thing is my comm. college put it online so it will be easy to work full time and go to school, especially in home health bc there is lots of down time so you can study at work. My other option is Excelsior College online but Im a little hesistant since Im not working in a clinical setting, I dont know if I would be ready for the CPNE (3 day clinical exam at the end that determines if u graduate). good luck to you!

It really depends on what you want. I know more RT's that go back to school to become RN's than I know nurses to become RT's. In fact, I don't know any nurses (LPN's or RN's) that became an RT. I would think the reason for the shift from RT to RN is because there isn't much of a variety that you can do and not very much upwards mobility. Plus, if you get your LPN (LVN) and want to advance your career, you can. Become an RN and work in all kinds of different places. Hope that helps.

Griddleboy: Be aware that LPNs aren't paid very well in hospitals. After all, money is an important issue when considering where you want to work. In my area, LVNs are paid between $14-$18 hourly in major hospitals. However, LVNs in subacute or LTC are paid between $18-$24 hourly. Also, subacute LVNs work with ventilator-dependent patients on a daily basis and give breathing treatments every 4 hours.

I agree with the previous poster that said many RTs usually end up going to nursing school to eventually become nurses, whereas nurses never return to school to become RTs.