Is the job market for respiratory therapists improving?

Is it just me, or does it seem like there are more jobs opening up across the nation? Is the job market improving for us? I would love comments about your local areas.

It's just you.

Plenty of respiratory jobs in Michigan. If you're RRT you can have your pick. I've turned down 5 last year.

Capt Kirk come down to earth...This is a new year, and not many employers are hiring.

Well all I can tell u is what I've seen. I had an offer from St. John Moross, Mt. Clemens, and Botsford just recently.... u think I'm making this up?? If you network you can find jobs.

Capt Kirk...Are you a new grad?

nope

capt kirk in Mount Clemens, Michigan said: nope

Oh. You gave me hope for a moment <grin>. Out here, there's a NO NEW GRAD issue in place at most hospitals. We all network anyway. Let's hope!

at the hospitals I've been to they are always looking forward to when the new grads come in. We always need people on midnights!!

This is probably the worst time to graduate in RT ever.

Max Flow in Madison, Wisconsin said: This is probably the worst time to graduate in RT ever.

You are right Max Flow!

travy888 in Albuquerque, New Mexico said: Is it just me, or does it seem like there are more jobs opening up across the nation? Is the job market improving for us? I would love comments about your local areas.

Where did u get this data? across the country hospitals are taking financial hits, they are seeing losses in the portfolios that they rely on for investment income.Big hospitals such as the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Akron General Health System in Ohio have announced layoffs recently. In New York also they slashed 400 jobs last month. In February, the number of mass layoffs for hospitals was double what it was a year ago. In New Jersey, many hospitals have a hiring freeze, job market doesn't seem optimistic here.

I guess i was actually looking on this website and I was noticing that there were more jobs posted in specific cities. I am still in school and I will be graduating in August, so I don't have any first hand knowledge myself, other than looking on the web.

capt kirk in Mount Clemens, Michigan said: at the hospitals I've been to they are always looking forward to when the new grads come in. We always need people on midnights!!

My family lives back in Michigan, and that is NOT what I've been told-- as I've interviewed extensively in MI--Midnights would be IDEAL!! Even in the Upper Peninsula! (Interesting tidbit: Traverse City actually starts their RTs --NON-NewGrads, at $8/hour LESS than the National Average). Your information is NOT accurate, CaptKirk. Easy to make comments when you're not in the same New Grad situation and don't have a complete/accurate picture.

capt kirk in Mount Clemens, Michigan said: Well all I can tell u is what I've seen. I had an offer from St. John Moross, Mt. Clemens, and Botsford just recently.... u think I'm making this up?? If you network you can find jobs.

Of COURSE you have--EXPERIENCED RTs have LOTS of options! This forum isn't about the EXPERIENCED RTs who have already accumulated substantial time under their belts,

Trying to figure out what's with all the attitude on this board?? It's rather amusing...a lot of negative people in here. Oh well u either have a choice to be pessimistic and petty about the job market and just say screw it.... or you get your butt out there and get after it!! Look I'm not blowing smoke up anyone's butt, just trying to be helpful to my fellow RT's. What I tell u is what I've seen PERSONALLY in the field. I was just talking to a student today, and she was telling me she couldn't wait to graduate. She had a job offer at another hospital. We wanted her to work with us but she decided to go elsewhere. If u think I'm making that up then so be it, I'm not on here to prove anything, like I said b4 just trying to help and let others know what I've seen. We will be looking forward 4 the new grads, they'll start on midnight's but that's how everyone does it. Good luck out there guys!

I will be graduating in a few weeks from the RT program at one of our local colleges. I've rotated through a couple of different hospitals for my clinical rotations, and I worked as an extern in one of the hospitals while going to school. So far, from what I've seen, the job market for new grads is a bit shaky. All of the hospitals I've rotated through say they are on a hiring freeze, and many of the present RT's are looking at getting cuts in their benefits. Most of the people from my class have worked as extern's during their schooling, but not all have been offered a job after graduation. These were excellent, top-grade, smart students too. It's not impossible to find work for new grads, but it is becoming more challenging. There is much more competition involved to try to get a full-time position or even an occasional position. On the plus side, I've seen many occasional people picking up a lot of hours. Some may just have to start off small and work their way up the ladder. Good luck to all!

capt kirk, I don't believe rejecting some pie in the sky wishful thinking about the job market is attitude. This is the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Somewhere out there in Birch Run, Michigan said: I will be graduating in a few weeks from the RT program at one of our local colleges. I've rotated through a couple of different hospitals for my clinical rotations, and I worked as an extern in one of the hospitals while going to school. So far, from what I've seen, the job market for new grads is a bit shaky. All of the hospitals I've rotated through say they are on a hiring freeze, and many of the present RT's are looking at getting cuts in their benefits. Most of the people from my class have worked as extern's during their schooling, but not all have been offered a job after graduation. These were excellent, top-grade, smart students too. It's not impossible to find work for new grads, but it is becoming more challenging. There is much more competition involved to try to get a full-time position or even an occasional position. On the plus side, I've seen many occasional people picking up a lot of hours. Some may just have to start off small and work their way up the ladder. Good luck to all!

Thank u Somewhere for shedding a light on true facts. I had the same experience while I was rotating through different hospitals, RTs in those hospitals are affected by reductions in vacation allowances and retirement fund contributions to make up a budget shortfall. It's tough out there!

mcdonald's is always hiring,... I hear MaxFlow has experience in that.

I think the job market in any field is shaky now due to the economy. I have worked for 20 years in the paper industry laid off twice once in 1990 and again in 2008. I am so thankful that I decided to go back to school when I did. I just graduated from IU/CCHS and took my boards this week……..PASSED!! I was also very lucky to get a PRN position at 2 different hospitals (one I have had for 2 years and the other for 6 mos.). Downside no insurance, but that is exactly what I have with unemployment. I am lucky enough to work 20-36 hours a week as PRN. There are jobs out there in the field, you just have to look for them, a couple of hospitals 2 hours away told me to contact them then I passed the boards. It depends on what you are willing to do. Considering where I was and would be, I thank God for my Respiratory degree and whatever work he throws my way.

In Rhode Island there is hiring freeze in most of the hospitals. The grads for this year are having trouble finding jobs :(

I am a new grad as of May 30th, and I have been looking for jobs since the beginning of May here in Maryland. To date I have filled out numerous apps and am just hoping for the best. I currently work at a hospital as a tech and am wondering if i should just bite the bullet until July..maybe even august! However, I wanted to get some type of experience while I'm waiting. Its just a mess. Talk about a bad time to graduate! lol

What you say makes me worried. I may be admitted into the program in Fall 2010 in Ohlone college in Fremont, CA. I'm struggling with science courses in the summer and fall 2009. It's going to be hard work, but I can manage to get over it. However, from what you guys say about the job market, I perhaps need a backup plan.

Good luck finding a job anywhere! Especially if you are a new grad. I wish you luck, but there is quickly becoming nothing available out there. Most of the hospitals in my area have NOTHING available...people are typically job hunting for 7-8 months before they can find anything and there are hiring freezes everywhere (I am in southern california). Not trying to scare you, but, things are tough.

stuck in hemet in Los Angeles, California said: Good luck finding a job anywhere! Especially if you are a new grad. I wish you luck, but there is quickly becoming nothing available out there. Most of the hospitals in my area have NOTHING available...people are typically job hunting for 7-8 months before they can find anything and there are hiring freezes everywhere (I am in southern california). Not trying to scare you, but, things are tough.

I have been unemployed now for 4mo, due to living in a part of the state, where there is no need for RT's. The rest of the state , only has prn needs.But sad to say, I want the flu and colder weather to hit.I think, like most RT's,we depend on respiratory diseases.We didnt have any flu,last yr, thats why no needs.I usually would be picky on hours, but will take anything.

Mark RCP in Texas said: I have been unemployed now for 4mo, due to living in a part of the state, where there is no need for RT's. The rest of the state , only has prn needs.But sad to say, I want the flu and colder weather to hit.I think, like most RT's,we depend on respiratory diseases.We didnt have any flu,last yr, thats why no needs.I usually would be picky on hours, but will take anything.

What? Rooting for DISEASES? lol And you have a job. I am a recent grad, I have my license, and my CRT and can't find anything around the pittsburgh area. There might be something around but it seems like you have to be super fast to get there to apply...and dont have much of a choice where you work...and who is to say that you are going to get the job as a new grad over someone who worked at UPMC for a year who applies at the same place who was recently laid off..When i apply online most places are looking for 2 years exp.....WHY?...like it matters...I agree that experience is how you learn but if a place is looking for someone with experience that means they are looking for somebody for a quick stint and then plan to lay them off.....thats scary....I need a reason to want to continue in this field and possibly get my masters???why even get my RRT I cant find a job to get 500 dollars to take it.

There's not much in these parts either. Census is very low at the hospitals and with homecare. It seems as though colleges are accepting double the number of participants for the RRT programs than 5 years ago when i attended. They are telling the students that there is a need and the students lack to do their research. In my opinion, a traveling RRT is the best way to go...but, the downside to that is trying to obtain the 3years critical care in the hospital prior to applying for a travel position...esp. for a new grad. If you can find 3rd shift and stick it out for 3 years in ICU, i think in today's economy, that is the way to go. Do your research guys! It may not be 3 years of ICU anymore...that was 5 years ago when I was researching the traveling RRT role.

I'm a BRAND new student, getting ready to start off my first day in my program this up coming week. With all that has been said, should I keep in the RT? Does there look like there will be a job for me? Or are we talking about a dieing occupation?

Just do it. It's the economy, stupid. Every medical field except physican, physican assistant, and nursing--and some low level job like medical assisting--are struggling. So my advise would be to pursue RT and maybe get another job while looking for an RT opening. Good Luck! :)

I am from MI and got a job right away...so did all of my classmates. I dont think Cpt. Kirk was making it all up; I had three job offers.

Daisy, what school did you go to? Did everybody obtain jobs in their clinical rotations?

I'm awaiting acceptance into Baker's Auburn hills program in MI, I do know they have a 99% pass rate on the rrt/crt and all graduates in the 3 year history are employed (if willing to work). Most students are graduating with offers from one of their clinical sites. Baker only has 20 spots for RRT, and one campus though.

Max Flow in Madison, Wisconsin said: This is probably the worst time to graduate in RT ever.

I wish I had listened! I just finished school in december, I am willing to relocate almost anywhere. I'm starting to think I made a big mistake going into respiratory!

Just going off topic here, does any one still use the full alveolar equation or the short cut of 7x FiO2 - 50?

This is true. For a respiratory therapist the starting time is very difficult. Every hospital would ask for experience. So it's better to go for any assistant kind of job in a private clinic. And as soon as 1 year is completed, you can easily get a job in hospital or in outpatients ward.

Yes could anyone tell me their latest experience as a new grad. Im willing to relocate