Need Help! What do I choose, Respiratory Therapist or Registered Nurse

[49*1]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently attending college and finishing up my pre-reqs for Nursing. Which was my first choice entering back into college. The pre-reqs are almost the same for the respiratory therapy program as they are for the Nursing program, so when I do make a decision I really wont have to worry about that as much. I have tired all week to find information on respiratory therapy and i have found some good sites, but that doesnt help me as much. Id like to here from you, the ones that actually work as them.

My problem is When going back to college I had my mind set on Nursing, and was/still am determined to go after it, but after speaking with so many students and professors, the waitlist is so long. my school tell you 2 yrs, but it can be around a year and a half. I spoke to my conusolor today and If i wanted to i could enter the respiratory program in the spring of 2010! what is the salary range for respiratory therapists. I know Nurses can average around 70k a yr. Also how is the schedule? 3 days a week 12 hr shifts? anything else that i might be forgeting please aid. thank you

PS. I read most of the threads already on here about respiratory therapy but alot of the comments were arguing between who has more work etc. Id just like honest opinions about their view of the profession.

[lilo2010]

If nursing is what you really want, go for it!! I too was going for nursing & got side tracked cause I listened to everyone about the wait lists. Ended up going for my associates degree in lab(MLT). After 10 yrs finally decided to go back for my ADN. Got in the very first time I applied & am loving it! So don't let what anyone else says stop you from doing what you really want! Good luck!

[caliotter3]

There is more opportunity in nursing. If you want a change from oncology nursing, you can go to hospice nursing. If you want a change from hospice nursing, you can go to school nursing. There are more jobs available in so many different directions. With respiratory therapy, there is only respiratory therapy. Limited jobs and limited variations on the job duties.

[Nicole2010]

Respiratory is a seasonal job, especially on the area you live. In the winter, RT is busy & in the summer, it could be dead. Plus you have to like alot of sputum. It's true, with nursing you have a wide variety of things you could do. You can always train for a new specialty as with RT, you cant. I would go for what you really want, because if you dont like RT then your back to square one.

[Music in My Heart]

Part of it depends on what you like about health care.

In the acute-care setting, the RTs have a little bit of contact with a bunch of patients; the RNs have a bunch of contact with just a few patients.

[Alternator81]

Respiratory is a seasonal job... in the summer, it could be dead

This really isn't true at all. Yes, there are a lot more respiratory problems in the winter but there will always be pts with COPD, intubated patients, CHF, and CF to name a few. I have been on my ICU rotation for more than a month and the respiratory therapist play a big role there. on a 20 bed unit there are usually 5 or 6 resp. therapists on the floor at all times.

Just like everyone else said there is a lot of flexibility with nursing- if you get tired of one area you can switch it up and develop a new specialty. RT doesn't have the same flexibility in my opinion.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

As far as pay goes, I'm guessing that's going to vary on what part of the country you live in. You say nurses average 70k, but in my state, I've been told it's more like 50-60K. The same is true for RT's, except I believe they typically make less than RT's.

I think if you chose one career over the othe b/c you can get done with school faster, you might be disappointed in the years to come. Really, in the grand scheme of things, what's another year of waiting when it gets you into the school you want?

[Adams_Mommy_07]

Can't you do both? Not literally, but apply for admission to respiratory therapy and apply to the Nursing program? While you are waitlisted in the nursing program you could work on respiratory therapy and see how much you like it. If you love it and couldn't imagine doing anything else you don't have to enter nursing school once your turn arrives. If you hate it, than nursing school will be there 1.5-2 years from now. I can't imagine your administration disallowing you from doing so, heck you can triple major at a university... If not, you can always select two different schools, applying to one program at one and the other program at another.

[Music in My Heart]

How do you tell an RT from an RN?

Put both neck-deep in a vat of puke and then chuck gobs of sputum at them. The RNs are the ones who duck.

Personally, the breadth of nursing appeals to me as does the possibility of garnering more independence the NP/CRNA routes.

Something else to consider: There are a whole lot more RN jobs out in the world than there are RT jobs. On the other hand, there are a whole lot more schools spewing out RN grads just as fast as they can be minted. However, assuming that you'd be a top-notch RN or a top-notch RT then the RN route may provide better long-term career security. I'm just speculating, though.

[CMCJ]

If your nursing school program is anything like mine-GO FOR RESPIRATORY!

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

If your nursing school program is anything like mine-GO FOR RESPIRATORY!

In that case, I would probably recommend a change in schools, not careers

[J9G2008]

My husband has checked out RT programs, and I am in nursing school. What he found out was that they do make less money, and there is less flexibility in the career. If I get bored doing hospital nursing, there are a million other places to practice. But as a mom of someone who had a trach, I have to say that I totally respect what RTs do, and my son owes his life to them on a couple of occasions.