RT to RN programs

WorriedAbout2Morrow · Oct 4, 2011

Good luck on your quest to find a transition program for an RT to RN program. I didn't even know such a program existed. I was an RT for over a decade before I decided to go to nursing school. In my honest opinion, if you think Respiratory School was hard, Nursing school will kill you.

Good luck to you.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2011

look into excelsior.... :yeah:

wishful09 · Oct 4, 2011

Hey respiratoryqueen,

I'm so happy that I'm not the only one in this boat. I have been an RT for 2 years working in the NICU, teaching for 5 (but that's another story). I know EXACTLY what your talking about and feel the same way when it comes to the doctors. I have done a lot of research on nursing school and found that we have 3 options. 1) Go to a community college and obtain an associate degree 2) Go to a school that has an accelerated BSN program, if you already have an B.S. This takes about 16-20 months. 3) There are some schools where you can obtain a MSN and be qualify for the NCLEX after two years. So, no matter which program you choose...you're looking at about 16-24 months. I hope that this helps.

Isabelle49 · Oct 4, 2011

I once worked with a RT who became an RN and went back to being and RT.

wishful09 · Oct 4, 2011

what made you go back?

Fallon · Oct 4, 2011

Valencia Community College in Orlando Florida has an Advanced placement program that is Rt to RN, it lasts for one year

respiratoryqueen · Oct 4, 2011

I want to back to school because I am tired of not being respected as an RT. I am not saying I am not respected at all. It's I just feel like we are looked down upon. I don't want to be so negative but it is true. I am also tired of running all over the hospital. Especially now, we have an new charting system and we have to wheel these huge carts around the hospital with a computer. I worked last night and I was like oh no, I can't be running to 4 west, ER, a Code, 3 west, back down to ER., being called because a patient needs a treatment, all at once. Then you get an attitude from the person that called you and they don't want to hear your being called to ER when their patient needs a breathing treatment. If I could go to a facility where they do more and you stay on the same floor, I would probably stay an RT. Like I said. I know nurses go through a lot and nursing is no ballpark. Nurses are the bomb! Just last night, I worked with a wonderful ICU nurse trying to save her patient. Doc comes in, ask what vent settings the patient is on and looks straight at the nurse. I was like Hello, Respiratory is here I can tell you! :clown: All in all, I feel like I want more say in patient care.

RNnbakes · Oct 4, 2011

I guess it depends on where you are working. At my job, i have had the RT call the doc. At my PRN, the docs ask to speak to the RT when they are called at night.

CVmursenary · Oct 4, 2011

The hardest part of nursing school is putting up with all the bullsh*t that they call classes. Especially after you have been in critical care already, school will seem mostly like useless information and hoops to jump through. Im sure your transfer into working would be very smooth though.

agldragonRN · Oct 4, 2011

excelsior college has an rt to rn program. you study on your own and take the proctored nursing exams at pearson vue (same place you will take your nclex-rn). then you will have to take your clinicals called cpne. excelsior college is nlnac accredited.

check out the distance learning forum here to find your fellow nursing students from excelsior.

here is the link: https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/

i wish there was an accredited distance learning rn to rt program. i am tired of being the house keeping (mopping, plunging toilet, etc), a secretary, a dietitian, an electrician, a social worker, a psychologist, and a nurse all at the same time.

i love being a nurse. it's just all these cr*ps i have to deal with that i hate.

anyway, good luck op. keep your rt license current just in case...

aubriannarn · Oct 4, 2011

Hello!
I am sure there have been many posts about this question. I have been an RT for 5 years and I really want to transition to an RN program. I seem to not be having much luck in finding a transition program in the area that I live. I live in NW Indiana / South Chicago area. My dream is too become a flight nurse. I love being an RT and work really close to ICU nurses. They are not sure about transitioning programs in this area either. Also, does anyone know how long it takes to get a degree in nursing if you already have an RT license? I want more one on one with my patient. I am also getting frustrated daily with being ignored as part of the health care team. When a doc comes in, he wants nothing to do with Respiratory when it comes down too it. They always ignore us. It is frustrating to say the least. Respiratory School was not easy. I am also interested in what nursing school is like? Any input would be great.

I am not sure what a RT has as an educational background, so your degree would help to find something that would work for you. If you have a BSN in another field, there is somekind of transistion program for 18-24 months where you can get a BSN in nursing I think. Something to that degree, but you have to have ur BSN in something else.

You probably will have to go into a RN program from start to finish, unless you have the BSN. I do not know of any RT to RN programs.