RN thinking of getting into RT program...

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Hey Richo,
From some of the posters on this and other forums, I've gathered that having an RT and RN credential makes a far more competetive applicant for a CRNA program. As far as actually taking the registry exam after completing an RT program, I don't think it would be absolutely nessecary, but you'd need it to work as a therapist. Again, I think the more experience you have, the more competetive you'd be. I would also think that just graduating from a program would give you a tremendous leg up if you go on to CRNA, I've seen posts (here and elswhere) from SRNA's asking questions about gas laws, ABG's, mechanical ventilation, CVP questions, ect. that you'd already have mastered in RT school. Not to mention that if you don't go to learn anesthesia, with some RT/RN experience, you'd be a very competeive candidate for many other jobs as well, a friend of mine from resp school just got his RN and is now a transplant coordinater.

You can learn a lot about ventilator settings from your intubated patients. In some ICU settings, you are constantly drawing ABGs learn those by interpreting them yourself and if you don't understand what something determines then ask or look it up! Pay attention to the RRT, and as the RN, you should be paying attention to the vent settings anyway because your pt could be having some distress issues or if the TV is too high they can have increase intrathoracic pressure, I mean, the learning is there, you just have to be motivated. I'm not trying to sound nasty, but I don't see the point in going to school to become an RT

And as the RN, you may not be managing the vent, but you definitely have a say in whether or not you want something to be changed, and since you are going to MICU in a level 1 facility then you should get sick as snot patients so you shouldn't have any problem getting experience with settings

Just thought of another point, looking at the vent is also part of assessing your patient. In the ICU, you have to be aware of all components in order to build your case with the MD. If you haven't started yet, you will see what I mean.