Respiratory therapy or Surgical tech

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Specializes in health.

Respiratory Therapist or Surgical Tech?

Earlier this year I applied for 3 different programs at community colleges; nursing (ADN), surgical tech, and respiratory therapist. I wasn't given an invitation for ADN, but accepted into the ST and RT programs.

So, what's your opinion on ST and RT, pros and cons, which has higher earning potential and which of the two program would you prefer and why? I have a gist of the answers but open to opinions. I live in Southern California.

Thanks

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Specializes in anesthesiology.

Is a respiratory therapist a 2 year degree? I'm interested to hear the responses. I would assume a respiratory therapist would tend to make more money on average, just my guess though.

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If it were me, I would stick with pursuing nursing due to the wider variety of specialties and increased employability. I have been told by both ST and RT that the jobs are not plentiful. At least one said they wished they had got into nursing school. Employability has always been a major factor in pursuing a healthcare career for me. Just my perspective.

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Specializes in anesthesiology.
2 hours ago, caliotter3 said:

If it were me, I would stick with pursuing nursing due to the wider variety of specialties and increased employability. I have been told by both ST and RT that the jobs are not plentiful. At least one said they wished they had got into nursing school. Employability has always been a major factor in pursuing a healthcare career for me. Just my perspective.

I could imagine ST might be difficult in regard to employability

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1 minute ago, murseman24 said:

I could imagine ST might be difficult in regard to employability

ST that I knew told me she had a horrible time getting a job and ended up taking a position with a doctor/medical group that took people down to Mexico for bariatric procedures. Based on what she told me, I wouldn’t want to be forced to get that kind of job. Sketchy to say the least.

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Stick with nursing. I'm an RT formerly who pursued nursing. Now going back to complete nursing. No upward mobility unless you go to nursing or PA school. PA school is highly competitive.

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