resp therapy vs RN

Specialties Pulmonary

Published

Hi I am a student and am lookng for some opinions/advice. Our local ADN program is impacted to the gills (even with top grades, still a minimum of two year wait to enter the program). Our local RT program is wide open and recruiting (with CAs filthy air, lots of need for RTs) THe prereqs are the same, the programs are the same length, the starting wages/bonuses are the same (roughly). My question is, do you think this might be a good option? The RT instructors have been visiitng the prereq classes and touting how much faster their program is becuase they have no impaction, plus smaller class sizes and student/teacher ratios.

Laura

Specializes in Cardiac Cath Lab/Pacemaker/Geriatrics.

I am a Certified Respiratory Therapist and have been for some time. I am in a very progressive hospital that gives alot of latitude and responsibility to RT's to develope protocols and therapies for patient's. It depends on the facility where you work how much you can do. If you want a good combination of technology, patient care and autonomy-which is growing in our field, then RT is for you, you just have to do some homework on the facility's program when you apply. I am thinking of going to RN as a way to increase my skills and flexibility. Go RT first and then RN. It is a good way to start and you can always go on from there. Alot of hospitals will hire you as an RT and then train you as an RN in one of their programs. Our hospital does.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Does anyone have the link for the Excelsior RT to RN Program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i have been a nurse now for about 10 years . your post just about sums up the reason i am looking into being a rt. i am tired of dealing with the bs and tired of dealing with families..... just looking for a change

while you may make more money and have more job opportunities, you'll certainly inherit all that is wrong with health care.

our rt's are cruisin' compared to what we go through in 12 hours a day. and they don't have the family crap to put up with as much as we do.

we've got a viet vet rn who gave it up to manage vents and he's happy. been with it a long time and makes as much as we do and he's stress free.

don't be a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ECMO.
Does anyone have the link for the Excelsior RT to RN Program?

here it is

Up Vote Up Vote ×
here it is

Just wondering can you direct me as to where it says anything about RT to RN... I have looked all over the page and I cant find anything.... Any help is appreciated...

Also can you tell me what its like to be a RT?

Thanks,

Josh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ECMO.
Just wondering can you direct me as to where it says anything about RT to RN... I have looked all over the page and I cant find anything.... Any help is appreciated...

Also can you tell me what its like to be a RT?

Thanks,

Josh

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_Of_Nursing/School_of_Nursing_Admission_Policy

"individuals who hold degrees in clinically oriented health care fields in which they have had the opportunity to provide direct patient care (e.g., physicians, respiratory therapists, and physician assistants)."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i am a ec student waiting on clinical . i will assure you that you are qualified to attend ec based on the fact that you are a rt.

just wondering can you direct me as to where it says anything about rt to rn... i have looked all over the page and i cant find anything.... any help is appreciated...

also can you tell me what its like to be a rt?

thanks,

josh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

the last i heard on this is in order to work in ca if you were a ec grad was you had to make the deadline and it was either dec 2003 or 2004 . i cant remember. other wise it is a no-no

isnt the rule in ca only for new grad excelsior rns?

maybe i read wrong, but if one works in another state that takes excelsior rns for at least 1 yr, then cas bon will accept one to work ca... correct?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

what is nurse first action with a pation handgrasps with diminish acidois?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU-MS-OPC-ER-RT.

What does "pation" mean?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatric, Rehab, and Pulmonary.
i have been a nurse now for about 10 years . your post just about sums up the reason i am looking into being a rt. i am tired of dealing with the bs and tired of dealing with families..... just looking for a change

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! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

now that this post is since 2004, i wonder what route did the original poster take rn or rt???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment