RN or RT

Do you want your patients to be talking or not? (kidding)

In my experience, from growing up with two RT parents: RTs generally spend less time with patients than nurses do, RTs generally have more patients than nurses would at a similiar acuity level, and RTs are much more specialized than nurses. My mom LOVES that she only does breathing. She doesn't want to mess with the funky sore on your foot or your inablity to perform ADLs (activities of daily living).

Do you want to work with the same few patients your whole shift? Does patient education sound interesting? Do you want to know what's going on with the whole patient? Do you want the flexibility to switch paths in your career without getting a new degree? Those are things that might steer you towards nursing. If you like specializing and knowing all the details of one specific area, RT might be more your thing.

I've also heard that RT school and life as an RT can be less drama than nursing, but I'm sure that varies based on where you go to school/work/etc.

thanks for the advice, and i have to admit, sores and gore and drama don't really appeal to me, and i love the specialty that RTs provide, I'm just taking some perreq's right now, and i'm leaning towards RT, don't shoot me, lol, but it just seems challenging, and its what i see for myself, so hopefully it'll work out.......thanks again for the advice....

thanks for the advice, and i have to admit, sores and gore and drama don't really appeal to me, and i love the specialty that RTs provide, I'm just taking some perreq's right now, and i'm leaning towards RT, don't shoot me, lol, but it just seems challenging, and its what i see for myself, so hopefully it'll work out.......thanks again for the advice....

RT is actually my backup if I don't get into the nursing program at my school because it's a little less competitive so I will not be shooting you lol

well thats good, i would appreciate not being shot, but i just can't to get my career on track, i already have a degree so it'll be just like going back to school lol

well thats good, i would appreciate not being shot, but i just can't to get my career on track, i already have a degree so it'll be just like going back to school lol

I know how it is, I went back and forth between RN, RT and Speech Pathology for a long time. Trying to decide whether the specialization was good or bad. The pay wasn't a thing for me since they all kinda make within the same bracket. What did your parents suggest?

my mom wants me to be a RT, and my grandmother who is a retired nurse, of course wants me to be a nurse, and my dad just wants me to be in the health care field, more opportunities he said, so they're all over the place, lol:yeah:

in the end RNs make more than rt... RTs are saturated.. because of private schools like concorde and american career college.. most get hired as Per diem.. theres is much much much mroe of a demand for RN's than RT.. and still RNs have a hard time getting laid off.. dont believe me google the layoffs for kaiser new grad rn's in southern calif.. =) I was too in the same boat.. infact RT was gonna be my first choice.. till i started working in ICU and realized.. that RN is the way to go.. some ppl say better Spit than **** but thats not what the pay checks say.... u can do soo much with just a borad rn liscense even dialysis or liasons between dr's and rn's.. as far as speech not sure.. if you want something challenging and with SECURITY.. id say RN.. if not that Physical Therapist.. i have a freind who is having hard time making ends meat.. cuz of all the competion.. they cut his hours down.. i have another who told me plz what ever you do dont go RT.. go RN.. youll regret it.. many of the RT's i know are trying to switch to RN.. but not just cant find the time.. to do it... RTs over here start at i believe 25 with night differential.. RNs start at 28-29 plus yearly increases are more much more...

Hope this helps.. trust me go nursing and you wont regret it..

take it from the guy who had got accepted into RT school even bought the kettering review for CRT and RRT =)

thanks for the advice!!!! I"m kinda leaning towards RN now, but i still have time to make up my mind before I start at the school I'm going to......