RT or RN career choice?

skoop1617 · Sep 9, 2008

you should do a lil research before signing up for which ever program. imo i think it depends on your long term goals.. i have tons of friends that are RTs, they try to convince me on becoming one but stuck with nursing due to growth posibilities. lets just put it this way, if u dont want to go back to school for RN or BSN or if ur sick and tired of school, RT is the way to go! 18 months of school and starting is $26+ here in CA as an RT. RRT, theres not that much different between the two when it comes to pay. But in the nursing program, u can progress and always step up your game. Such as LVN to RN to BSN to NP etc., thats if you are willing to go back and get educated. think hard before signing up!

mcknis · Sep 9, 2008

Both are great programs with great potential. I have friends who are fellow nurses and RTs. Both have dislikes and likes about their occupation. RTs make less than RNs starting out, but make about the same with experience, still RTs make slightly less. RNs have a greater growth potential and can move from area to area, whereas RTs just do pulm stuff (nothing wrong with it if this is all you want to do). I looked at doing RT vs RN but the only reason i went with RN is because the program was closer to home. No complaints so far (just small ones).

brownrice23 · Sep 10, 2008

Yeah, i've been asking other people in the field and they all seem to say that nursing has more options. I've also looked into Rad Tech program, but i need a couple more pre-reqs before applying. you know anyone that field?

brownrice23 · Sep 10, 2008

So i guess you're pretty happy with your career choice? I' ll probably apply for the RN program. Thanks!

mcknis · Sep 11, 2008

Few friends in the Rad tech field, but once again, it is pretty much isolated regarding the type of pts you see, but you can choose to do outpt vs inpt

wlb06 · Sep 11, 2008

RN is the way to go if you have the choice. Murse it up!

Tamra RRT · Mar 28, 2010

I have been an RRT for 5 years and I love what I do and love my patients. The problem with respiratory is that there are few options in advancement. It seems you have to have RN next to your name to get anywhere. I do believe that RT students are better with critical thinking skills when they graduate. RT school can be more hands on the nursing school.

I am currently debating on getting my RN. I believe that becoming an RT first helps. The bridge programs are very short. With more and more patients having COPD having a good knowledge base in respiratory is vital and nursing barely touches on the subject. It comes down to two things: nursing has a general knowledge base on most systems while respiratory knows a lot about cardiopulmonary. We are surrounded by those two systems for three to four years.

It really depends on what area you want to go into. In the long run nursing pays better and there are more opportunities.