bassplayerrob

hello, i am an rrt,rpft and worked 16.5 years as a therapist. i have also been an rn for 1 year. both are just as stressfull and both deal with alot of bad things. respiratory care and nursing are just as equal and trust me, just as stressfull. on a good note, i love both and thank god for my education and credentials; it's the system praticularly the hospital. whatever profession you choose, it will be great. good luck!

I agree!

I do have a few questions. Do they really give in-state tuition to distance education students enrolled in the program? Is undergrad statistics required? How many hours a week, each semester, do you do clinicals? How many classes or credit hours can you take a semester? Are the professors and staff helpful about academic advising and classwork questions? Are they helpful with helping you get clinical preceptors? Sorry so many questions. Thank you.

I graduate with my BSN from King College in Bristol, Tenn December 2008. I hope to start January or August 2009. Thanks for the information. I may be contacting you later for more info. Thanks again!

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I have been in healthcare for almost 17 years and have two licenses; Respiratory Care and Nursing (RRT,RPFT,RN). When I started Respiratory Care, I never experienced any problems like you are talking about, however in nursing I have seen it alot. Don't get me wrong I proud to be a nurse as well as a Respiratory Care Practitioner but I am a little disapointed in the way nurses treat each other. If you are confronted by this nurse that treated you this way, just be nice and tell her she needs to discuss the situation with the department manager who made the preceptor change. Don't worry about her, concentrate on your career, not the ones who try to destroy it.

I also plan on starting at isu, is there really no requirements to visit the campus. I live in Va and would not be able to travel. Also, any prereq other than BSN from accredited nursing school? I plan on taking undergrad statistics next semester along with my other BSN classes, I will have that finished. Also, in-state tuition for all distance online MSN-FNP students, does this apply? Also, what about books and/or study materials. Are there books to buy or do you have to buy, like a binder with ISU's notes?Thanks!

I work with nurses with BSN and nurses with AAS in Nursing, There is good and bad in both. I personally have an AAS degree in respiratory care and nursing and I am currently working on my BSN and will finish December 2008. I don't think I am better or will be better than anyone. My goal is MSN/FNP. I am not getting my BSN to be "better", but to reach my goal. The debate is similar in respiratory care, which is better, CRT or RRT? In most every field of study, there seems to be a debate between lower and higher degrees of education and/or credentialing. The bottom line is, are we all caring for the patients to the best of our ability? This is just my opinion and like rear-ends, everyone has one.

Hospital nursing gets really stressful. Try rehab or Skilled nursing.

Take the job you will be happy with. Money isn't everything!

Working in Skilled/rehab. Enjoy it!

I have only been a nurse for a week but have been a Respiratory therapist for over 16 yrs, but I have noticed that people tend to criticize others when they themselves feel inadequate. It's their way of making themselves feel good. Don't let others bother you. If you care about your patients, do the best you can do to take care of them, and please your boss, then you are doing well.

Hello, I'm a new RN as well and just started my new job on a Skilled/Rehab unit this week. I have only worked 2 days and feel overwhelmed with all the extra paperwork involved on this particular unit but I enjoy it. God Bless!

Just wanted to comment about Skilled nursing. I have been a Respiratory Therapist (RRT,RPFT) for over 16 years and just passed the NCLEX-RN last week. I have worked in different capacities in Respiratory Care including critical care, ER, acute care, peds, nursery, diagnostics, and geriatrics. My first job will be on a Skilled/Rehab nursing unit which I start in 2 days. I have been told by my fellow respiratory therapists as well as nurses who have worked with me for the past 15 yrs that I may be wasting my critical care and ER experience and will not learn anything. I disagree with these folks and am excited to be starting my new job. Thanks.

I am a Respiratory therapist that has worked for over 16 years, just finished nursing school. Through the years nursing and respiratory therapy has disrespected each other. Both are equal in terms of education, i.e. AAS. A respiratory therapist should not be viewed as someone just writing down vent settings and squirting medication in a neb. Likewise nursing does more than start IVs and clean up messes a patient makes. I have AAS in RC and nursing, went into nursing to be a FNP but love nurse the same as RCPs. Be assured that one deserves just as much respect as the other. Running from floor to floor, the units and ER is not an easy task just as hanging blood, titrating Dopamine and giving chemo all at the same time is difficult. Please work together and respect one another.

I have been a Respiratory therapist for over 16 years. RRT,RPFT. I have just completed AAS in Nursing. RCP know more than what most nurses think they know and nurses know more than what most Respiratory Therapists give them credit. As a matter of fact, both education programs are equal and should be respected as such. I am proud to be a Respiratory therapist and a nurse. Why can't we all get along?