tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post5769004747339227424..comments2024-01-10T09:56:49.324-05:00Comments on Respiratory Therapy Cave: Choosing a career: RN versus RTRick Freahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132949384071592216noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-85707201712751502842013-01-29T05:17:46.069-05:002013-01-29T05:17:46.069-05:00This might be a great question for a career guidan...This might be a great question for a career guidance counselor. It does seem the field is pretty saturated in Michigan too, although if you're willing to move there's always 2-3 jobs scattered about. <br /><br />If you are interested in working in a hospital, I would highly recommend getting a job in one when you graduate. You can even get a summer job as a nurses aide just to see how you like it in a hospital<br /><br />You can work in an RT department doing random jobs without a degree, although I'm not sure how easy they are to get. If you have further questions feel free to email my by clicking the contact me icon in the right margin. Rick Freahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132949384071592216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-41519639497687303762013-01-28T20:54:54.571-05:002013-01-28T20:54:54.571-05:00I live in Portland OR. I have been looking at RN ...I live in Portland OR. I have been looking at RN school, but in Portland there are so many nursing schools that over 500 new graduates come out each year, and it's basically impossible to find work. From what I'm reading, RT looks like a possible fit for me, but I don't see many job ads for it, either. <br /><br />Are RT jobs really plentiful for new graduates? <br /><br />You wrote in 2008 that RT students can work in a hospital during training. Is that right?<br /><br />Thanks so much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-12066580699775411662013-01-03T08:14:41.036-05:002013-01-03T08:14:41.036-05:00I'm a newbie to your post. Thanks for every si...I'm a newbie to your post. Thanks for every single last one of them. Though people don't comment much there are THOUSANDS that are very grateful for them. latoyanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-72665260297096934622012-09-30T21:15:40.948-04:002012-09-30T21:15:40.948-04:00As a 18 year RT, I make as much as RN's and wo...As a 18 year RT, I make as much as RN's and working together as a team is vital and mutual respect is exchanged. We participate in Clinical Ladder, Intubate and do arterial line insertions as well as manage vents and ABG's. Nurses at our hospital do not perform these tasks. I am sure all facilities are different. There are more opportunities for advancement for RNs however.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-69693778055123348312012-04-23T19:17:06.711-04:002012-04-23T19:17:06.711-04:00Not sure what anonymous is talking about with thei...Not sure what anonymous is talking about with their being no jobs. I live in Charlotte and their are TONS of RT jobs from full time to part time to prn. Maybe if you live in some rinky dink town it may be a bit harder to to get a job but that is true with all professions. Sounds like someone has some sour grapes. Also, around here RT's make as much as RN's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-67160431028787114412012-02-09T08:26:30.752-05:002012-02-09T08:26:30.752-05:00There are also no jobs in the RT industry. It is w...There are also no jobs in the RT industry. It is way easier to find a full-time job as an RN whereas for an RT, most of the people that graduate from an RT program end up jobless or casualAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-80831101448427486912012-02-04T14:11:56.136-05:002012-02-04T14:11:56.136-05:00As a first year student, I'm absolutely loving...As a first year student, I'm absolutely loving this blog. <br /><br />I'm lucky enough to be in the MD/VA/DC area, so the number of hospitals is astronomical. I *almost* moved to the RN program, but it just never felt right and something kept pulling me back to the RT. So despite everyone in my life trying to nudge me towards the nursing, I went RT. And now, as I learn the roles of my future career, everyone I know is learning more about the apparently mysterious field. RT bound and proud, and I'm starting to enjoy responding when people see me in scrubs and assume that I'm a nursing student. <br /><br />One thing that I can say is a great way for someone to try out nursing at a fraction of the price/hassle of going for LPN/RN/etc is to look into CNA (certified nurse assistant) programs in their area. Should you hate it, it's a fast course (4-6 weeks) and you learn a lot in the realm of patient positioning and the art of caregiving (mental status, emotional needs, family interaction) and it fills in the gaps that my RT program doesn't touch on because of focusing more on the science of care. Or, you'll learn that Nursing is the way that you want to go. I personally didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. Something about RT work just makes it completely engaging and fascinating, even if we're just talking about sputum. Plus, its one more cert to have on your resume and a possible PT/FT job to hold while in school that keeps you in a clinical environment.Emily Ihttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=584917423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-67768126317793308852011-06-20T19:48:45.163-04:002011-06-20T19:48:45.163-04:00Thanx so much for taking to the time out to do tha...Thanx so much for taking to the time out to do that blog. You just validated my reasons for choosing RT over RN. No offense. I'm just not cut out for it. kudos, TyMrsTygaleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08109795117201906791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-59182521702389723712011-02-23T11:34:24.754-05:002011-02-23T11:34:24.754-05:00well said.well said.Rick Freahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132949384071592216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-84983072229368017352011-02-23T09:26:02.354-05:002011-02-23T09:26:02.354-05:00So as an Rn in an Er and with previous experience ...So as an Rn in an Er and with previous experience in a post cardio thoracic unit. I can say I do more than tend to wounds and bathe patients. I have respect fo the RT however I can also say that I have vast knowlege of cardiopulmonary care. As per my ACLS certification which is required for critical care RNs I also can perform intubation if need be however I can say that the MD is the one that intubates 99.5% of the time with Rt and RNs also assisting. Although I know that they can I have never seen an RT intubate. My experience is that RT's usually bag the pt and set up the vent. Occasionally they secure the ET tube or suctioning (although many times I have done that myself). Rns are ususally busy administering life sustaining meds and fluids, doing chest compressions, monitering the heart rhythm and vitals, Inserting nsogastric tubes and foleys. We are usually the ones defibrilating or cardioverting. We assisting with chest tube placement or performing trach care. All the time trying to support grieving family members, code charting, and overseeing an transfer organized by the MD. Rt comes to check on vents at times but we most certainly manage our ventilators. We often do EKGs and give critically ill patients ordered respiratory treatment when time does not allow us to wait for EKG tech or RT as they are often busy themselves. The point is that we all part of a team and the good RNs, MDs and RT work as a team as respect each other as part of that team for the betterment of our patients.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-54490142594481682262008-11-20T12:25:00.000-05:002008-11-20T12:25:00.000-05:00Fantastic post... now need to look more into this...Fantastic post... now need to look more into this RT stuff! Before tripping across your blog (and now a daily reader!) I had no idea the profession even existed.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing!Kollahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05435884423312685144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-83747393376278477612008-08-09T13:12:00.000-04:002008-08-09T13:12:00.000-04:00send me your email. Mine is Freadom1776@yahoo.com...send me your email. Mine is Freadom1776@yahoo.comRick Freahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132949384071592216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-86040336946864781012008-08-09T10:02:00.000-04:002008-08-09T10:02:00.000-04:00Curious,what is the starting pay for RN / RT's whe...Curious,what is the starting pay for RN / RT's where you are?<BR/><BR/>I start RT school at Macomb CC this fall - sunrise side of state!<BR/><BR/>Just spent a week on the sunset side of the state - Holland, Grand Haven, etc<BR/><BR/>Thanks!<BR/><BR/>Love the blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com