Respiratory Therapy or RN-New York only please reply

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Specializes in I was the Assistant to the DON.

I live about an hour an half from NYC, so anyone there can help me out too. I live in Poughkeepsie (Dutchess County) I am starting Westchester Community College in Valhalla in September (99% sure). However, with my pre req's almost done, I thought I had my heart set on Nursing, however they have areally good respiratory program there and now after lots of research I am thinking of going that route now (maybe possibly can do a dual of that and RN later down the road if I am crazy enough :)

So I was wondering to all the RN's, how do think the job opportunities within RT will be in 2 years? Are there jobs, I see some but no where near as many as RN"s of course. I get mixed suggestions and I am very confused. I know I would like RT better, however I cannot be stuck without a GOOD job after graduation. I am 30, have a son and I plan on more. I need job security, the pay not as important as a steady job. I am sick of Customer Service, purely sick.

As for the salary of an RT, what would be a ballpark would you say? I know where I live I could expect about $28 for an RN, as new graduate. I would be fine with $20 for RT honestly. I have heard anywhere from $15-$30, so for NY I have no idea what it would REALLY be. I don't trust the online salary wizards too much.

Thank you for anyone's opinions on this!!

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CTICU.

At NSLIJ, RN's earn a few dollars more per hr (may $5) than RT's from what I've been told... In determining which suits you better, consider that once you have RN after your name and 1 year experience, the opportunities are virtually limitless,,, bedside nursing, home care, flu shots, school nurse, legal nurse consulting, nursing administraton... advanced practice nursing (nurse practitioner / anesthetist)... and many more....

Alot of the RT's I know love their jobs, but many are considering transitioning into RNs b/c they feel once they get a firm grasp of respiratory, their advancement opportunities are limited... this is just from the few rt's I've come across so hopefully other ppl will have more to add...

good luck in your journey!

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Hello,

I'm a respiratory therapist in NY for about 8 years now and just graduated from nursing school this past December. I have to tell you that I love my job as a respiratory therapist but the reason I went to nursing school is to be more involved with patient care and there are more avenues to explore with nursing. It's definitely not the money because there is not much of a difference with pay. :)

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Specializes in I was the Assistant to the DON.

Thank you both for your input. I wanted to get into sleep technology after RT that is why I was really going that route. I will apply to both programs and see what happens, if I have to wait another year for RN than so be it :)

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CTICU.

Both are terrific fields and you will be in direct pt contact with either... always help to ask around and get multiple people's opinions.. also important to consider what environment the ppl you speak to are working in... for instance, a nurse working in an ICU vs med-surg vs ER vs home care will likely give you much different answers as to what nursing means to them and job responsibilites/satisfaction.

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