MAnders1405

I just don't understand. I looked into 2 RN programs and 1 PA program all with schedule your own clinicals. I've grown tired of searching for a program. I've decide to get a second bachelors degree in hopes of the RT Initiative passing through congress and an advanced RT credential being established.

Ok just so you all know, I am an RRT, CPFT, AE-C. I work in a 30 bed Trauma center emergency dept. I do all of the following every shift... All respiratory duties to include intubation Accuchecks Nose/throat swabs EKG IV insertion Phlebotomy Orthostatic vital signs Splinting Patient transport Foley catheter insertion OG insertion Patient assessment Suture assist Wound care Holter monitor placement Radial A line insertion I am one of 10 RTs that are trained to do this.

Yes I do all those. And I'm not above doing clinical rotations. Im all for it. Clinical rotations can be scheduled around 12 hour rotating shifts. Classroom attendance usually can't. All I'm saying is there are RN, NP, PA and other programs online with local clinical assignments, why not an LPN program?

OK, I understnad that. So are there any programs that do that? I mean, there are NP porgrams online that have classroom requiremntes. There are PA programs online that have classroom requirements. Why are there not any LPN programs like that?

I posted this question in 2009. Have there been any new LPN or LVN programs ONLINE in that time?

I know this is an old post but I am looking for an online LPN program. The need for classroom study for an LPN program may be true for someone who has never done anything like that but I am an EMT-B and a RRT. I have earned the CPFT and AE-C credentials. I work in an ER and do many tasks that nurses do like Foley catheters, starting IVs, venous blood labs, arterial blood labs, EKG and vital signs just to name a few. I have a BS from a local university. I believe I would be able to do an online LPN program as well as an online RN program. A bridge course for RTs, EMT Bs and Ps, CNAs would be a good course for online students.

Wow, you've been through the ringer. The med error is a big deal but you did what is required of you and that is that. As far as the comment that landed you in a meeting with the NM, I'm not sure that is an offense that can get a license pulled. That coupled with the med error may have been enough to jeopardize your job. Where I live, if a nurse or other highly need employee gets fired, they are usually allowed to re apply in one year. I've seen it happen before. The thing is, RNs in today's society are in such demand, you probably can go other places and get a job. I don't mean across the country, across town. The link below is a news story about the government hiring 55,000 nurses and doctors over the next three years. Government work is another topic in its self. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/273000-new-government-jobs-cnnm-3282677853.html?x=0&.v=1 I know it was a blow to your ego and your betting your self up about it but, you are going to be just fine. Trust me.

A different perspective, you may want to try other certifications like AE-C Asthma Educator - http://www.naecb.org/ or one of the many certifications listed on this page http://www.testprepreview.com/nursing_certifications.htm

I have been looking for a change. I am currently a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C), and a Certified Pulmonary Function Technician (CPFT) Licensed Emergency Medical Technician with both a 2 and 4 year degrees. I looked into several of these Accelerated BSN Programs and was very disappointed. One program wanted me to get my CNA certification first. I'm sorry but after being an RRT for 9 years, working acute care, ICU and now ER, I think getting my CNA would be a few steps backward. My local university just started an 18 month Accelerated BSN but they will not honor my science classes because they were done at a local vocational school. They were good enough for a junior college to give me an Associate Degree in Respiratory Science but not good enough for the local U. So now, I have been rejected from two Accelerated BSN Programs and one program never even bothered to contact me. I will have to laugh if I am accepted into a PA-C program. I have an application pending with a school.

My thought, A BSN can go on to NP, they can teach and manage. A BHA can not do NP and most teach or manage. That said I heard there was a U in TN that would let anyone into their NP program if that had enough money, however I digress. I think you can do anything a BHA can with a BSN but not the other way around. Matt

I know this post is almost a year old, but I have to ask, where did you find an accelerated nursing program that can be completed in one calender year?

I learned White - Right, Red Ribbs, Smoke over fire (black over red), clouds over grass (white over green) and brown in the middle.

What was the one in MN??

RTs have advanced knowledge about the cardio-pulmonary system. Most RT schools require ACLS and PALS certification before graduation. Pharmacology is also a big part of the RT process. I work with several RN, RRTs who did RT first. It's not an accident they all work in advanced areas such as on the heart floor, ICU, Emergency dept. and so on. You can also consider it a stepping stone as well. Knowing what they know, an RT in RN school can spend less time on cardio pulmonary and more time in other areas of nursing program. The more places I work and the more people I meet, the more I realize how much I learned in the RT program.

Here in Southeast Missouri, RT is very important to the health care team. Upon graduation from the local RT school, the new RTs have ACLS and PALS. How many nursing schools require that before graduation? RTs at the hospital I work at are the leaders in a code blue situation. All RTs are required to go when one is called. If you were to walk into a room, and a code was underway, You would most likely see the RTs doing the work. Intubating, bagging, chest compressions, ABGs etc. The only thing we don't do is establish a IV and push meds IV. And yes, we do the labs off the ABG stick. Each unit (2 ICUs, NICU, PICU and ED/ER) has one RT assigned 24/7. Some times we have more if workload is up. Sure RNs can do RTs job but they don't. I can't count how many times I have been called to a room to suction a trach for an RN who says she/he doesn't know how. About half the time they do, they just don't like it. I thought RNs were trained on how to do that. Why are they calling RT? RTs are trained for caring for and work with the cardiopulmonary systems. RNs are trained in total body care. I would think that RNs would apericate RTs help. After reading some of these posts, I guess not.

Does a nurse need to be a pulmonary nurse with more and more respiratory therapists in the work force?

I find that nurses who were RTs first are better nurses. They definitely know breath sounds. A lot of nurses call for respiratory treatments for ANY adverse breath sounds. Respiratory treatments are primarily used to treat wheezing. Money has something to do with it. I work with several RT who made the switch. Most go from CRT to RN. in other words from the lowest level RT to the highest level nurse. Here that is a $6.00 an hour pay increase. As far as importance, at my facility, being an RT automatically makes us part of the code blue team. And yes RT intubate at my hospital. But because so many RTs show up to a code, and we are very comfortable in doing it, the "floor" nurses step aside and let the 2 or three RTs and the 2 ICU nurses run the code. The only thing we can't do is IV drugs. We do the CPR, EKG/ECG, intubate, and administer drugs down the ET tube. RTs are well respected at my medical center.

Wow. I work at a 300 bed facility (1 10 bed ICU, 1 10 bed CCU, 1 15 bed level 3 NICU and ER/ED (level 1 trauma center). We have 46 RT on staff not counting the ones in the sleep lab, HBO lab, Rehab or the ones who are also nurses. We keep one RT per unit with a floater to travel in between. 1 in the ER/ED each shift. The acute care floors have 5-7 during the day with 2-4 at night. This is all 24 7. Some are PRN staff but they still count. How do you guys make it with only 40 RT and 700 beds?

2 questions addressed here. First "Does anyone have a real idea of what starting RT's make?" From the dept of labor http://www.dol.gov webstie: Median annual earnings of respiratory therapists (RRT) were $43,140 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,650 and $50,860. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $57,580. In general medical and surgical hospitals, median annual earnings of respiratory therapists were $43,140 in May 2004. Median annual earnings of respiratory therapy technicians (CRT) were $36,740 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,490 and $43,830. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,280. Median annual earnings of respiratory therapy technicians employed in general medical and surgical hospitals were $36,990 in May 2004. Here is Missouri a starting RRT makes $16.13 and starting RN makes $17.45 Question 2, "Is there a niche for a nurse who was an RT?" I work with several nurses who also have their CRT or RRT. one is a cardio/pulmonary rehab specialist, one is general manager for two fitness centers (also does rehab), one works in a sleep lab, and three do general nursing. Two of those are on the cardiac floor the other in ER/ED. in that dept he does both RN and RT work. The other two just stick to nursing duties. I currently work with one CRT who just finished her BSN and another RRT who is starting nursing school this month after being an RT for 10 years. I hope that helps.

What program are you doing that bridges RT to RN?

Lets get back on topic please.

Ones salary is largely based on location when it comes to health care. In and around my town, my credential pays $15.24 to $16.00 (starting) while the hospitals two hours up the highway (in the same state) the same credential pays $21.00 to $26.00. You have to consider that an average apartment here is $350.00 and up there $700 you can see why there is a difference. So comparing ones salary from one part of the US to another is like the apples and oranges thing. By the way, here EMTs make about $6.00 an hour and medics make about $9.00 and hour or $18,000 per year.