Oct 3, 201114 yr Hi all,I'm an RN who's thinking of going back to school to become an RT. Are there any nurses out there who've done the same? And if so what do you think about your choice?Thanks More Like This General Nursing Switching from nurse to daycare teacher? 18 Replies Active 04/24/2026 12:51 AM Long Term Acute Care Any tips for a new grad who will start at a LTACH 1 Replies Active 11/06/2025 05:36 PM United Kingdom Any UK nurse managed to work in the USA? 5 Replies Active 05/31/2026 07:44 PM
Oct 3, 201114 yr Experts We have a long-time member of these forums named GilaRRT who started as an RN before transitioning to the RT role. If you click on his profile and read some of his previous posts, perhaps you could get a feel for his personal transition from nursing to respiratory therapy. Good luck to you!https://allnurses.com/members/215791/
Oct 3, 201114 yr I knew a guy who did it, was much happier. There's less variety in RT, they make a bit less in most places, but they get to do breathing treatments and GO. Not like us that have to attend to every desire the patient and family has ever had.
Oct 3, 201114 yr I knew a guy who did it, was much happier. There's less variety in RT, they make a bit less in most places, but they get to do breathing treatments and GO. Not like us that have to attend to every desire the patient and family has ever had.My thoughts too! The only problem is, in smaller hospitals more responsibility falls on the shoulders of the RTs.I think I would add BIG hospital to my wish list. Then it would be perfect.
Oct 3, 201114 yr Looks like somebody snitched on me. LOL I am a fairly new RRT. Made the transition a few years ago after I destroyed my back. I'm very happy, but still keep an active RN license and occasionally work as one. Let me know if you have specific questions. It's a big change.
Oct 3, 201114 yr I'm an RT who wants to go back to school to become an RN. I want more of a challenge, more opportunities for growth and development, and I want to have a better understanding of what's happening to my patients. Why is it that you are seeking to become an RT?
Oct 3, 201114 yr I would always tease the RT's as they would try to ask what intubated patients needed, but could NOT get themselves to ask: "Do you need a bed pan?"
Oct 3, 201114 yr I'm looking into going back into the health care field too. I'm a sociology grad who do not desire a MSW, I love human biology. I was thinking about PTA, Radiologist, or RT. I'm currently a cna who loves health care, but don't really want to be stressed out with life and death situations. Do all RT work with people who can possibably die or could you just give treatments all day?
Oct 3, 201114 yr I'm looking into going back into the health care field too. I'm a sociology grad who do not desire a MSW, I love human biology. I was thinking about PTA, Radiologist, or RT. I'm currently a cna who loves health care, but don't really want to be stressed out with life and death situations. Do all RT work with people who can possibably die or could you just give treatments all day?No, you will work with critically ill and injured patients. You may even find yourself discontinuing ventilation on patients and allowing them to die. There are respiratory specialties where life and death situations are much less common however.
Hi all,
I'm an RN who's thinking of going back to school to become an RT. Are there any nurses out there who've done the same? And if so what do you think about your choice?
Thanks