Resp. Therapists

harry Krishna · Dec 12, 2003

Originally posted by RN2B4ABBY
Could anyone give me any information on RT's? I understand the basics of their job, but I always hear people saying they would never want to do it and it is in high demand. What is so bad about it, if anything? Any information or direction is appreciated. Thank you very much!

RT's have to deal with sputum..perhaps that is why... no I am just kidding. I think it is because the pay stinks, and in most hospitals they have alot of areas to cover.

From an ER stand point, a good RT is worth their weight in gold (even the plumper ones). They are valuable in codes and caring for people on vents.

Some RT's I work with feel the floor nurses can be difficult to work with (they said it not me).

I guess it would depend on each facility and their job descriptions for RT.

Hope this helped.

sharann, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2003

Our RT's are great and I wouldn't want to trade them for anything. Their pay is close to RN pay in some instances, especially when they are on-call. The job entails much, er, phlegm to be blunt, and this is the probable turn0off. They also help people who can't breathe, breathe easier. They provide essential resp treatments for the house, and they know their vents cold. So if one can stomach phlegm etc, they can do this. It is a 2 year program in my neck of the woods, but I assume there are bachelors programs out there somewhere. Don't know.

stressednurse · Dec 12, 2003

I have worked with some VERY talented and well trained RT's.

We love our respiratory department where I work, nurses used to have full care of the vent patients and all respiratory treatments after 10pm on weekdays till 7:30am and after 7pm on most weekends.

This is a really fascinating specialty position that takes a certain type of (not easily nauseated) person. Geeze, sputum from a fresh Trach is so awesome when the nurse from another assignment shows me how far they sent it flying, but my patients start hacking and I am ducking like there are bombs falling. I don't gag, I just don't like being hit with them.

Many years of ICU nursing may have contributed to that but once again, I love respiratory therapists. To be able to make someone breath and lessen the anxiety of not being able to do it adequately. Then also to wean them from the ever cumbersome and controlling ventilator.

Respiratory problems are all attached to the anxiety of suffocating, I don't know if I could deal with that all the time.

RN2B4ABBY · Dec 13, 2003

Thank you so much everyone! You were extremely helpful and I appreciate it!:)

When I decided to go into nursing, people came out of the woodwork trying to get me into the Respiratory Therapist program at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. (It's for a bachelor's) Apparantly the hospitals around here are hurting really bad for the RT's and they will pay for over half the schooling and throw in a generous sign on bonus if you will work for them at least 1 year. I just wasn't sure if I should consider it or forget it.

kc ccurn · Dec 13, 2003

Rt's do perform a necessary and invaluable aspect of patient care! I'm a little biased though, my husband is an RT and I am a ccu nurse. I kid him that he's a lung man.=). All kidding aside. A good RT can make or break your day. Not only do you have the "nebjockey's" who do breathing treatments, Incentive spirometry, etc on the floors, but ICU RT's are responsible for the vents, treatments, weaning, blood gasses, transports and assisting in cor zero's. The pulmonologists in our critical care unit rely a lot on the RT's and their input as to how are things going for the patient, is there anything else we can do for them etc. The ER RT's do breathing treatments, intubations, blood gasses, and in some places the EKG's as well, house wide. They do a lot of running around, depending on where you are at, the pay is comparable. RT's can also work with some flight programs and ground transport.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2003

I work in CCU and as others have mentioned, a good RT is soooo appreciated!!! Our RTs "run" our vents for us. We can do it, but usually it is left up to the RTs. Of course, we suction as needed, but the RTs usually do the rest (though we are expected to know what they are doing :) ) They draw ABGs, unlesss there is as Aline, then we do it. They do the treatments, do vent checks, ect. We work as a team. ABGs are reviewed together and joint decisions are made if there are changes...(like changing resp. rates, etc). If we are in the process of weaning a patient, we can change patient from simv to cpap or change the fio2 but usually the RT does it. In a code situation the RT manages the airway, draws ABGs. Our RTs do not get paid as much as the RNS, they even get less night differential than us.

MsBruiser · Dec 16, 2003

Hi - I'm in the midst of doing pre-reqs for the respiratory therapy program. I made the respiratory decision after a lot of soul-searching, careful thought, and research. In the end, I wanted a patient care job that was very focused, utilized critical thinking skills, and generally involved the patient from the waist on up - if you know what I mean. Total patient care isn't my bag - though many an RRT has told me that pitching in when needed (turning, lifting) is a great way to promote good teamwork. The running around aspect of the job also appeals to me, too.

Don't let anyone fool you that the pay is similar or even slightly less than nursing. I found on average that you can expect to earn $5-$7 dollars an hour less than nurses in my area (US Southwest). So you have to work about one extra overtime shift per week to even approximate an RN's salary. Given the high demand for RRT's - there is plenty of overtime, though.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Dec 16, 2003

In my hospital the nurses take over on the night shift, and the RT's go home on call. There is nothing that they do that we can't do when they are gone so if given the choice I would take an extra RN over an RT any day.