I don't think I want to be a nurse anymore...how about RT?

Nurses General Nursing

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So I was on track at my local community college for my RN. With my pre reqs finished up with last semester I was on the hunt for a BSN program to transfer into, as you need a BSN in my area to get a job. I was accepted to a few places but now I'm thinking I don't want to do this anymore. ( I also can not afford a BSN program)

For the past yeah I have worked as a ER tech in a VERY VERY busy level 2 trauma center. Before that I was in MICU/SICU for 4 years. I was in the ICU when I decided I wanted to really be apart of the healing process and make a difference. Now I'm starting to think I do not want that at all.

I'm 13 weeks pregnant, i dont know if that has anything to do with it but I'm thinking I rather go for respiratory therapy.

I want to stay in health care and I want to continue to work with people, and I still want to be able to get that adrenaline rush with traumas and codes. But I honestly don't want to be responsible for the TOTAL care of the pt. Is it bad that I don't want that responsibility and stress?

I have watched the RN's for years be put threw hell and back with politics, doctors, pt's, and the stress from short staffing... why would I put myself threw that???

I know with nursing there is much more I can do then just bedside, acute care, and with respiratory my options are limited but that is okay with me.

RT is so appealing right now because it is so focused. I can still get the rush i get from traumas and codes, and I can still make a difference because I would be helping people breath easier :-)

I talked to RN's and RT's at my job and some say go for RN because it's more money and you can advance, some say go for RT for the exact reasons I have already stated.

Ultimately I need to do what I feel is right for me but I would still like some advice and comments... thanks

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

If that's how you feel, I would not go into nursing. At least your vision of nursing is not skewed. Some ppl go through their entire program thinking everything is sunshine and roses, and have no idea what hit them when they actually start working. The good thing about nursing is the money making potential. A lot of us are underpaid but with the right job/under the right circumstances you can make a lot money. I love the fact that there are so many things I can do with my degree and license and there is lots of room for professional advancement. On the other hand there are other jobs that are less stressful with okay income like resp therapy. You might also want to look into programs like radiology tech or sonography, physical therapy aide, surgical tech, just to name a few. There are definitely other healthcare career choices in which you can help people. See if you can shadow a RT for a day so you can get the full picture. Good luck with your decision.

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Specializes in 4.

I definitely admire you for coming out to say it. I see many nurses who are miserable that are in it for all the wrong reasons. It sounds like you already know the answer & the last poster is correct in saying there are many other things you can do like surg tech, sonographer, rad tech...etc. I would research other programs & view the curriculum then start researching pay, job demand, competition, possible work environments, etc....Then you can go from there. Good luck to whatever you decide & go with your gut instincts.

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That's completely understandable to not want to be a nurse anymore.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I have a lot of regard for RT's and believe I would have enjoyed that job had I not chosen nursing.

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Specializes in Perioperative; Cardiovascular.

Nursing has the opportunity to go through many specialty paths without being limited. Have you considered on becoming an Interventional Radiology Nurse or work in the Cath Lab?

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Nursing has the opportunity to have nothing to do with patients also...that's the best route in my opinion...

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

If I didn't go into nursing, I think RT would have been my second choice.

I was exposed to some RT in school. I took a medical terminology class and the instructor happened to be a RRT. One day he brought in his RT students and a bunch of RT equipment, including a mannequin that we all practiced intubating on. I thought it was really cool. My instructor kept saying RT is kind of like nursing, but you're just focused on one system.

I had my heart set on nursing, though. And here I am :)

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How do you feel about phlegm? RT deals with a lot of it.

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That is a tough question for us to answer, they are very different jobs. I can say though, at my job, all that drama is there for the RT's however. They deal with low staffing, having to call the doctor's, and the politics of the hospital. Plus, there is always some sort of issue between RN and RT staff. Any career that revolves around people means you can never escape short staffing and drama.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Advancement opportunities will be more limited with respiratory therapy ... if that is important to you. (and consier that you might not think it's important now ... but you might feel differently 5, 10 or more years from now)

And in academic/teaching/university-affiliated hospitals, you will need the bachelor's degree to be a competitive applicant.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
Advancement opportunities will be more limited with respiratory therapy ... if that is important to you. (and consier that you might not think it's important now ... but you might feel differently 5, 10 or more years from now)

And in academic/teaching/university-affiliated hospitals, you will need the bachelor's degree to be a competitive applicant.

Exactly what I was thinking. I think there are some RTs here on AN so their career perspective input might be VERY enlightening & interesting. Any comments from them...

Where can they work? I'd bet the supply and demand of RTs out of school far exceeds the hosp industry's quota. Much like nsg today. And how secure is their role in hospitals? There's in-house anesthesia and nurse anesthesists already, RNFAs and resident physicians. How about certification of Resp/ER/ICU RNs for intubations in the not-too-far distant future. As for education, will there be a need for Master's Ed to give the competitive edge.

To OP - you comment that you like the adrenalin rush. What about paramedic? I see that career with more longevity and security.

JMHO.

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