RT to RN Transition, not so easy!

[ventgurl]

I have been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 8 years now. I am trying to enter the field of nursing. I love the overall autonomy and the role of the nurse. By working closely with doctors and nurses in the ICU, I feel that my role of a therapist is somewhat significant. I am ready to deliver total care to my patients, not just ventilatory support. I feel as if I have a great foundation of health care knowledge and experience that will give me a head start in nursing school. I graduated from a community college, where recieved my respiratory education and completed an Associates Degree. My problem is that my overall GPA is a 2.4. After taking all my prerequisites twice (due to them expiring) my GPA didn't improve much. After applying to about 5 different schools for ASN, I was told repeatedly that I was not qualified due to my low GPA. I have since transferred my credits to a University and now my GPA is 2.99 and I will be graduating in June 2009 with a Bachelors in General Studies with an Allied Health Focus. My plan is to apply for the accellerated nuring program that will be completed in one calender year. Question #1 - Are there any former RTs that made the transition into nursing? If so how did you do it and did you respiratory experience help? #2- Why does my respiratory education go unrecognized and why doesn't it count for anything? Any comments or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[HM-8404, BSN, RN]

A PA is not an MSN program since being an RN is not a pre-requisite.

[FORTHELOVEOF!!!!]

That's insane, when we have codes the RT's run the nurses over and take control from the chest up, nurses work chest down! Even if it's not a code situation our RT's have a lot of autonomy!