Anyone here an RT?

Anyone a Respiratory Therapist taking the Excelsior RN program? Just curious what your thoughts are about the program and how RT school prepared you for this program. Thanks!

I graduated Excelsior a few years ago but i was an LPN prior. I went to the EC CPNE workshop with an RT. She had taken the CPNE before and failed all of her labs. She said when she did her patients on Saturday (before retaking her labs) she had no problems....it was just the labs that got her. I never heard if she passed her second round or not. Personally (and this is just my opinion) I think the program should be for LPN's and paramedics with previous experience...it is other "related" fields that several boards are getting picky with...some boards even state you have to be an LPN (not even paramedic) in order to take the nclex....I know this to be true for Florida and a few other states. I wish you luck and be sure and check with your state board as to their requirements.

Thanks for such an encouraging post. I have 7 years of clinical experience as an RT and feel I can complete this program successfully. When I posted this thread I was looking for tips from RT's, not someone telling me RT's shouldnt be allowed in the program.

i am not a rt ,but want to go to rt school after i become a rn. do they have programs that offer bachelors degrees for rt's?

good luck to you...you can do it!!!

thanks for such an encouraging post. i have 7 years of clinical experience as an rt and feel i can complete this program successfully. when i posted this thread i was looking for tips from rt's, not someone telling me rt's shouldnt be allowed in the program.

Thank you girls for the encouragment!

There is an online college called California College that offers and Associates and Bachelors Degree in Respiratory Therapy. I dont know much about the program but know that it is offered as a distance learning option like Excelsior except the clinical part is different.

I'm an RRT 5 years in acute care. I have always worked Critical Care (adult and NICU). I'm not going to say what im going to say to brag or anything else...... but to let you know how I feel about the program. I had a very difficult time with NC 5..... the others were fine. Resp. school prepared me for almost every other area of the exams but studying was like a detailed refresher.... just not the Psychological aspects. I took all 1-8 exams in 3 months. I studied just like I did for the RRT...... just for every Nursing Concepts instead. I'm currently waiting for a CPNE date..... and preparing to jump that hurdle. Let me know if you have any questons.

n8 dawg-Did you get thru all the nursing courses in 3 months? What pre reqs did you have to have? Glad to know an RT is doing so well with the program!

Yes it took me 3 months to do the "Nursing Concepts 1-8".... but had to take every single pre-req. that is required because my RT school was not the same accredidation. So I took them all over but just had to "test out" of them. I took Excelsior for all I could on Pre reqs. but had to take 2 CLEP exams too. All together with ALL pre-reqs. and Nursing Concepts it took 6 months. Like I said before..... I'm waiting for test date so I can move foreward in the program. I am very nervous but am looking into some "hands on CPNE prep workshops". I do know one thing though. Anyone who puts their mind to something can do it. I'm not going to go on and on about it but I know that is true.

My original plan was to attend Excelsior after completing my LPN, I have one class left to finish, but I had to start a new job and now I am unable to complete my last class. I get off work at 5 and classes begin at 5. I asked my employer about leaving early or rotating with coworkers, but they will not allow it. As a back up plan I was looking into the online respiratory program that you spoke of, but I wondered how difficult it would be to do the clinicals. I am comfortable with taking online courses, but I am a little weary as far as the clinical format. My nursing clinicals were not all that helpful since I was a CNA, I gained a little knowledge to feel comfortable working on the floor and passing meds. I just wonder if it would be the same with respiratory therapy.

I believe you have to find a hospital and a RRT that is willing to be your clinical instructor. You have to have around 1000 hours of clinical time. You can do it on weekends or whatever works for you. Now dont quote me on this, as I am not exactly sure this is how it works. Call California College and I am sure they can explain it to you better. Good luck!