Resp. tasks VS. Nursing tasks

Well I have a question....I'm an RRT but I haven't started working yet. I recently passed the RRT Exam and I'm awaiting graduation next month (May 10th woohoo)...anyways I'm thinking about getting a second degree as an RN b/c that was my original major but my school's waiting list for nursing school is rediculous. As a student I've had plenty of experience in the NICU and that's where I'm applying to work...but I would like to know are you paid more for having both degrees. In 2 hospitals that I've don't internships/externship at RRT/RN duals are common but I've never asked if they are paid more.


OH and you should know why it take so long to get an RT at the bedside to get a gas....we have like 15+ patients while nurses have like 3. LOL!

I have to say I agree with the post above that cautions against doing things that are not currently in your hospital's listed scope of practice. Although my state board of licensure allows me as an RN to do ABGs, and the hospital approved it as well, they have recently changed the policy to all ABGs are done by Respiratory Therapists. I would love to keep up my skills, but hesitate to do so. If there were to be a complication from anyone doing a blood gas, and I was one of the people who had done one, my name would be in the hat with all the rest. I seriously doubt my hospital would cover my for going outside the guidelines of what I was responsible/covered for.
The issue with our change of policy was that there had been no competency check set up and when we merged with another hospital who did not allow RNs to do ABGs, it was decided to place the responsibility with respiratory only.

in our hospital it is not an increase in pay.

If you think the waits to get into nursing school are insane then plan to be a nursing instructor. There are not enough nurses interested in and with enough education to be instructors. You can help the nursing shortage by committing yourself to becoming a nurse instructor.