What Causes RT Grumpiness

Sometimes we RTs are busy. And sometimes we are not. And there are two different types of busy. There's the type of busy that involves things that make you feel proud of the job you do. And then there's the type of busy where you're busy because doctors are writing a bunch of stupid doctor orders. 

Let's say someone comes in severely short of breath. And you are a part of the team that helps that patient feel better. This creates a sense of pride and joy. It makes you happy that you have the job that you have. This is the good type of busy. 

But, then you have those days when you are unable to sit down all day becasue you are running from room to room doing breathing treatments for heart failure, cough, no cough, heart failure, pneumonis, influenza, COVID and rickets. And just as you sit down, you get a text that there is an outpatient EKG. And as soon as you are done, and you sit down, you get a page for a STAT EKG on a preop patient.

If a patient has COVID, they get automatic QID breathing treatments. Same for influenza and pneumonia. Of course then you have to gown, glove and wear a mask in every patient room. And then when you are done you ask, "Do you feel any better?" And the patients all say, "NO!" 

Yep. You know what I mean. At the end of the day your feet are burning and you are irritated as all get out. This, my friends, is what causes RT burnout. This is what causes RATS, otherwise knows as Respiratory Therapy Apathy Syndrome.