Thinking of switchin to RT

No matter what field you choose to go into please do your research for the area you plan to work in. RNs have a lot more areas that they can work in. They may start off at close to the same pay as RTs, but do end up making more as the years pass. I love being an RT, but I'm very new to the field. I knew the challenges I would face, but loved the field so much that I took the plunge. I did shadow nurses for about 6 months and RTs for about 2 months before I ever committed to school. Doing a search on jobs in the medical field will tell you that some areas of the country are saturated and getting a new grad job will be tough. My philosophy is that I should love what I do and the money will follow. So far for me it has worked out that way. The market in my area is tight, but not completely saturated. I started talking to managers in the spring so that when I graduated I had an idea of where to start to get a job. I was lucky and landed a full time day position at my first pick hospital. Many of my friends are working PRN and nights at that. Plus many are still looking for a job. As an RT in my area you will start off the same as every other new grad....doing floor work. It's a great place to start, but you won't start in a specialty area like you could as an RN. Generally, you can't work home health or do travel as a RT until you have hospital experience so you really will need to start out at the hospital doing bedside care.

The people I know who are RTs enjoy their jobs. I can't speak to the market, but like most things, it depends on what kinds of education opportunities are available in your area- if several schools offer RT programs, then it's going to be tough getting a new grad job.

I am not an RT but I do work closely with many. For the most part they do love their jobs and are a very important part of the medical team. I also know of 2 who have went back to school to become RNs. RT is a specialty license which will limit the types of jobs you will have vs nursing has many different areas you can switch to if you don't like it. I don't think there are as many opportunities for growth besides being the manager of the RT department where as nurses can work management, administration, education, case management, NP, etc. The RT's that I work with are very smart and I frequently refer to them for assistance with vent settings, etc. The RT's at my hospital do respiratory assessments and treatments, manage vents, EKG's and EEG's, they are at the bedside during intubations and codes. They work both in acute care as well as LTC areas of my hospital. I think they do get emotionally involved just like nurses i.e. they are still going to feel the heartache of an unsuccessful pediatric code that they bagged for over an hour. They also get to know their patients pretty well because they visit them sometimes every few hours for weeks. I think they are underpaid for the services/ expertise they provide, as least where I work. I do not mean to offend any RT's because I honestly love and respect the ones I work with but I think I would get bored only doing respiratory stuff, and then what? If in your heart, you really are interested in RT than go for it, it can be a very rewarding career just do your research, shadow an RT before you spend your time and money on going to school. Good luck!