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
How do you feel about phlegm? RT deals with a lot of it.
Nursing deals with phlem,poop,vomit and then some!!
The RT where I worked are very happy,most of the RNs were miserable. I found a diff career path as an RN and am much more happier with it--I'm in infusion and I just deal with that aspect of nursing--no wound care,changing pt..etc...
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.
Much truth to that, if they ever have to budget cut,nurses are capable of taking over RTs role. I know in the past I have done RTs job along with my own!
The RTsd where I work seem really busy because they have all the floors. 2-11. So to me, it can seem like a pretty crazy busy job at times. They are always present at codes. And they do deal with lots and lots of phlegm. If u can handle this, go fit it. But research it good first.
I've considered doing a Masters in OT or PT. Realistically, I probably won't, but only because I'm getting old and i don't want to spend 25 grand. If I were even 5 or 6 years younger, I would totally pursue it. We all have days that we don't want to be a nurse. No wonder why.
Specializes in ED, Med-Surg, Psych, Oncology, Hospice.
I was an RT years before I became an RN. Times were different then. Treatments were IPPB, we "woke" the PACU patients up, we did many things that are no longer done. I know RTs do a lot of exciting stuff but from my observations MOST of their work is mundane neb treatments on patients who are capable of doing them on their own because they do them at home. IF you are guaranteed a position that keeps you in critical care with vents or in ED with traumas then it would be much more exciting.
Thank you all for the comments. They were all very informative. I know has an RT I will also be very busy and hectic, which I dont mind, and I know with a BSN I could do so much more as the RT is very limited. I still feel at this present time I will be much happier. Once I start the RT program I could be done in a year. With a child on the way and limited financial resources I feel this is my best option.
I have researched jobs in my area, and while there are many more opportunities for RN's there are still RT positions out there. With my hospital experience, and many friends who are RT's, I feel confident finding a job wont be too much trouble.
Right now, I don't want to be a nurse anymore. I honestly do not want to deal with what I see nurses deal with every day. What all of you do is amazing and it takes a certain type of person to be a nurse, and I just don't think I'm that person, not yet anyway. Maybe down the road I'll find the drive and desire and go for it, but right now I feel much more comfortable going the RT route.
Best of luck to you in RT school! I hope that you enjoy it :). Nothing wrong with changing your mind. And, sounds like you've already worked with RT's so you know what the job involves. A rewarding job, as well, and they get to leave when a patient becomes difficult or crawls out of bed, get to do their respiratory thing, and move on to the next patient, so I can see where that would be attractive to some people lol.
Kadambari
162 Posts
I thought RNs could get certification in Radiology??