Need Advice!

I will be graduating with an associate degree in Respiratory Care in a week....
Problem is that I need to pass the school's version of Clin Syms, and I have failed the DECISION MAKING portion twice (although the second time, I only killed 8 people instead of the initial 10).
Any suggestions for how to beat the system on this??
I took Kettering and it helped me get through the CRT and RRT mocks. But I am frustrated about the clin syms. I am going over everything I can think of regarding disease processes, but I'm stumped. HELP!!

I am also graduating soon. I'm not sure on how your schools sims are like but you just have to know the basic normals (settings, values) Always look at every answer and try to sort out what will be potentially harmful to the patient. Most of the time there will be the best answer, which will give you the most points and a good answer which will also give you points. Both answers will be correct so you'll have more of a chance to get it right. never get frustrated when you get a bad answer and start clicking anything, that will most likely be more harmful. if you do click a wrong answer just sit back and review the other answers, you ll have one less to choose from. But its hard to just tell you what you need to know for sims, cause its basically just everything. Take practice sims and go back and review review and review. Know the normal ranges... anymore questions check out www.respiratorychat.com

Thanks so much!
Somehow, hearing from a fellow graduating student is calming and comforting.
I think I may be in total burnout from all of the "mock" testing we have been doing.
I find I start the clin syms strong, but after about three I get antsy (is that a word?).
Your advice is helpful.
I will READ ALL THE ANSWERS BEFORE CHOOSING ONE.
I will NOT PANIC WHEN I CHOOSE A WRONG ANSWER.
Can you see where I am screwing up??!

Early congrats to you!
Have a great graduation!
Remember....just breathe!

Fran

Fran said: I will be graduating with an associate degree in Respiratory Care in a week....
Problem is that I need to pass the school's version of Clin Syms, and I have failed the DECISION MAKING portion twice (although the second time, I only killed 8 people instead of the initial 10).
Any suggestions for how to beat the system on this??
I took Kettering and it helped me get through the CRT and RRT mocks. But I am frustrated about the clin syms. I am going over everything I can think of regarding disease processes, but I'm stumped. HELP!!

try to ask yourelf what the question is asking you?

i graduate in 6weeks and i have made all A's in my classes, but i heard the board exam is really hard i go to concorde, I was wondering if you want to sell just the kettering books? If so email me at midrrtbound@yahoo.com

Mike in Memphis, Tennessee said: try to ask yourelf what the question is asking you?

i graduate in 6weeks and i have made all A's in my classes, but i heard the board exam is really hard i go to concorde, I was wondering if you want to sell just the kettering books? If so email me at midrrtbound@yahoo.com

Mike, how was experience with Concorde as far as you classes and clinicals, also how many students started in your class and how many will graduate?

we started off with 26 students and now have 5 students that were from our original class. There was this one final test that like 16 people failed and had to repeat. The teachers are ok, you have to do allot of reading on your own, especiallty before the lectures so you kind of have an idea of whats going on.
It is very expensive, but its a qucik 15month program for a a crt.

Thanks to all who responded to my question...
I buckled down, tried the mock clin syms again, and PASSED!

Graduated on May 10th, I am happy to say, and will now be focusing on passing the REAL board exams!

Whew....tough, but definitely worth the effort!

Mike in Memphis, Tennessee said: we started off with 26 students and now have 5 students that were from our original class. There was this one final test that like 16 people failed and had to repeat. The teachers are ok, you have to do allot of reading on your own, especiallty before the lectures so you kind of have an idea of whats going on.
It is very expensive, but its a qucik 15month program for a a crt.

Thanks for the reply, The reason for me asking is that I am thinking about attending Independence University and had also consider Concorde. I have another question, do you feel that you learned a lot during your clinicals with Concorde? Also why do you think the class had a large drop out rate? Because with Independence University I have a concern about the clinicals.

It depends on you. You need to be ambitious and outgoing to get all of you sign offs that are required to graduate. For example you need to let the therapist know that you are intrested in doing an arterial blood gas. You just can;t sit around and wait for someone to ask you, you have to go and get it. Ask them how the machine works and what do you do if this is disconnect, and etc. If you don't you will just be walking around doing what they tell you to do. Like "go give her this treatment", they can actually get you in trouble because they do things that concored has taught you not to do. But clinical and school are two different worlds. You need to ask around and ask to see the different equipment, ask them " do you mind if i set it up", or else they will just do everything and leave you to watch. I am considering going to I.U. as well after i graduate and get my C.R.T.
But the main thing is sto study like atleast and hour day, and be ambitious at your clinical site, and whatever you do DONT GO TO SAINT FRANCIS, THEY ARE ANTI-STUDENT, DEADBEAT THERAPIST WHO HATE BEING ASKED QUESTIONS .

Mike in Memphis, Tennessee said: It depends on you. You need to be ambitious and outgoing to get all of you sign offs that are required to graduate. For example you need to let the therapist know that you are intrested in doing an arterial blood gas. You just can;t sit around and wait for someone to ask you, you have to go and get it. Ask them how the machine works and what do you do if this is disconnect, and etc. If you don't you will just be walking around doing what they tell you to do. Like "go give her this treatment", they can actually get you in trouble because they do things that concored has taught you not to do. But clinical and school are two different worlds. You need to ask around and ask to see the different equipment, ask them " do you mind if i set it up", or else they will just do everything and leave you to watch. I am considering going to I.U. as well after i graduate and get my C.R.T.
But the main thing is sto study like atleast and hour day, and be ambitious at your clinical site, and whatever you do DONT GO TO SAINT FRANCIS, THEY ARE ANTI-STUDENT, DEADBEAT THERAPIST WHO HATE BEING ASKED QUESTIONS .

Thanks for your response, I think I may lean towards I.U. because of the the flexibly from what I have read I don't think it will hard to get a clinical site. Good luck have a good journey.

Etta,

Did you sign up?

I signed up for the NBRC CRT exam...
Took it this morning (3 hrs / 160 questions)...

PASSED !!!

Whew!
I am so excited to be a REAL part of respiratory care now!

I am now trying to get all the paperwork I need over to the licensing agency.

I was offered and accepted a wonderful full-time position at a local hospital (in a nearby city 35 minutes away) and I am supposed to start on Monday!

The reality of this past 3 years of school, graduation, and now the CRT designation along with the job offer is finally sinking in. I'm suddenly so tired!!!
And to top it all off, I will be turning 55 this month (but friends tell me I look 10 years younger)! A new career and a new start to my life!
I can't wait to use my life and education to help others!

LOOK OUT TOMORROW.......Here I come!!

Ron in Victorville, California said: Etta,

Did you sign up?

Not yet, I am waiting for my grades to post from University of Phoenix. Also trying to locate a clinical sites.

Fran said: I signed up for the NBRC CRT exam...
Took it this morning (3 hrs / 160 questions)...

PASSED !!!

Whew!
I am so excited to be a REAL part of respiratory care now!

I am now trying to get all the paperwork I need over to the licensing agency.

I was offered and accepted a wonderful full-time position at a local hospital (in a nearby city 35 minutes away) and I am supposed to start on Monday!

The reality of this past 3 years of school, graduation, and now the CRT designation along with the job offer is finally sinking in. I'm suddenly so tired!!!
And to top it all off, I will be turning 55 this month (but friends tell me I look 10 years younger)! A new career and a new start to my life!
I can't wait to use my life and education to help others!

LOOK OUT TOMORROW.......Here I come!!

Congratulation Fran, Way to go!

Congrats Fran! Maybe post whats on the test to help others study?

Fran said: I signed up for the NBRC CRT exam...
Took it this morning (3 hrs / 160 questions)...

PASSED !!!

Whew!
I am so excited to be a REAL part of respiratory care now!

I am now trying to get all the paperwork I need over to the licensing agency.

I was offered and accepted a wonderful full-time position at a local hospital (in a nearby city 35 minutes away) and I am supposed to start on Monday!

The reality of this past 3 years of school, graduation, and now the CRT designation along with the job offer is finally sinking in. I'm suddenly so tired!!!
And to top it all off, I will be turning 55 this month (but friends tell me I look 10 years younger)! A new career and a new start to my life!
I can't wait to use my life and education to help others!

LOOK OUT TOMORROW.......Here I come!!

Good for you! Congratulations. Best wishes.

well

congrat's

I WILL BE 45 WHEN I GRADUATE NEXT YEAR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CRT, RRT. HOW WAS IT. HOW DID YOU GET READY.

THANK YOU

Fran said: I signed up for the NBRC CRT exam...
Took it this morning (3 hrs / 160 questions)...

PASSED !!!

Whew!
I am so excited to be a REAL part of respiratory care now!

I am now trying to get all the paperwork I need over to the licensing agency.

I was offered and accepted a wonderful full-time position at a local hospital (in a nearby city 35 minutes away) and I am supposed to start on Monday!

The reality of this past 3 years of school, graduation, and now the CRT designation along with the job offer is finally sinking in. I'm suddenly so tired!!!
And to top it all off, I will be turning 55 this month (but friends tell me I look 10 years younger)! A new career and a new start to my life!
I can't wait to use my life and education to help others!

LOOK OUT TOMORROW.......Here I come!!

Take KETTERING seminar...
It will usually be offered to your whole class close to graduation.
It is worth the money to attend!

You will be given their books to read, practice in, and study so you can get the important points to help you pass the CRT/RRT.
I also purchased the AUDIO lecture (I think they call it a playaway...it is small and has earphones). It was $45 and well worth the bucks because I can listen to it even when I am driving.
It is more than just a re-tell of each chapter of their book....
It is concise, easy-to-understand extras that helped me better understand some major principles of respiratory care.

Good luck!
Your time spent with this is more valuable for the tests than any time spent going back over your class books or notes (in my humble opinion)...at least for the NBRC testing questions.
There were at least 10 to 15 questions on the CRT that just blew my mind. These were very foreign to me insofar as what they were asking for. I think these are the extras thrown in for possible future use in testing. Don't let them throw you!!!
You know what you know. Trust your education and memory. It is amazing what info you really have in your head versus what you THINK you remember.

Trust KETTERING!!

Remember....JUST BREATHE (from one RT to a future RT!)

Fran
South Bend, IN

Hello everyone,

I'm currently an RT student (1st year). Any suggestions on when is a time for me to buy the Kettering Review package? Should I buy it now and start reviewing or should I wait until near graduation date?

Will the Kettering Review package stay the same within another year if I want to buy it now?

Thanks

I would buy the Kettering now, and just keep reviewing it. It was one of the best learning tools for me, because they break all the information down, and make it easier to understand.

Also, it would be great practice for you when your studying for your board exams.

I would research though what study plan you like better. I've never tried Lindsey Jones study program, but I heard thats a good study guide too!

I haven't worked in respiratory for 10 years. I am currently licensed and I want to go back to work as a CRT. I am having a hardtime getting a job. I need someone to give me a second chance. Does anyone have any suggestions?

is there anyone out there that is willing to sell their playaway?

Fran said: I signed up for the NBRC CRT exam...
Took it this morning (3 hrs / 160 questions)...

PASSED !!!

Whew!
I am so excited to be a REAL part of respiratory care now!

I am now trying to get all the paperwork I need over to the licensing agency.

I was offered and accepted a wonderful full-time position at a local hospital (in a nearby city 35 minutes away) and I am supposed to start on Monday!

The reality of this past 3 years of school, graduation, and now the CRT designation along with the job offer is finally sinking in. I'm suddenly so tired!!!
And to top it all off, I will be turning 55 this month (but friends tell me I look 10 years younger)! A new career and a new start to my life!
I can't wait to use my life and education to help others!

LOOK OUT TOMORROW.......Here I come!!

Hi fran Iam trying to pass my boards as well. Can you forward me a study plan/ calendar of some sort if you used one planning to take the crt in august Thanks and congrats to you.

From what you guys say, it seems like RTs can actually put patients' life in danger just like any other healthcare professionals.

Let's say that even when I ace all knowledge from books and in the classroom, clinical practicing can still be a challenge, can't it?

Minh Nguyen in Oakland, California said: From what you guys say, it seems like RTs can actually put patients' life in danger just like any other healthcare professionals.

Let's say that even when I ace all knowledge from books and in the classroom, clinical practicing can still be a challenge, can't it?[/QU

Of course, you can only get so far with book smarts. To be a good RT you have to have good patient assessment skills and good clinical skills. We can induce severe damage to a patient's well being when we mismanage mechanical ventilation or fail to recognize impending respiratory failure.

From your experience, can you give me some advice on how to be successful in clinical setting? I never mind memorizing whatever is taught in class. However, from what you explain to me, it seems like being an RT is not analogously like a math problem. It's not like from 1 + 1 = 2, we can infer to everything else such as a boy + a girl = two people.

Isn't managing mechanical ventilation and recognizing impending respiratory failure taught in the classroom? If it's taught in class, and I fail to do it, then it's my fault or my slow analytical thinking. But if it's not mentioned at least once, and I encounter those problems, how can I deal with it?

I'm sorry if I ask you too much. The problem is English is not my first language. I can understand people well when situations are under control. Nevertheless, I have a trouble comprehending what people say when I get panic or circumstances are too stressful. I do know that RTs have to deal with emergency cases, which I'm not afraid of if I'm at least taught how to deal with them.

The most important thing in clinical assessment is looking at more than just the pulmonary system as being the origin of the problem. For example; a patient with renal failure may develop sudden hypervolemia and hyperkalemia; both of which may inhibit proper cardiac contractility leading to cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Simply recognizing this through visual inspection of WOB will dictate a quick response with BIPAP or intubation; however understanding the underlying problem requires hemodialysis will set you apart. You will learn most of what you need in the class room, what you learn in clinic will go beyond the cardiopulmonary system. This comes with experience. Once you have this experience using crtical values learned in text and applying it to symptoms will make you an excellent clinician capable of making quick decisions. Just remeber not all patients are the same; thus plugging in simple treatment algorithms doesnt always work.

Fran said: I signed up for the NBRC CRT exam...
Took it this morning (3 hrs / 160 questions)...

PASSED !!!

Whew!
I am so excited to be a REAL part of respiratory care now!

I am now trying to get all the paperwork I need over to the licensing agency.

I was offered and accepted a wonderful full-time position at a local hospital (in a nearby city 35 minutes away) and I am supposed to start on Monday!

The reality of this past 3 years of school, graduation, and now the CRT designation along with the job offer is finally sinking in. I'm suddenly so tired!!!
And to top it all off, I will be turning 55 this month (but friends tell me I look 10 years younger)! A new career and a new start to my life!
I can't wait to use my life and education to help others!

LOOK OUT TOMORROW.......Here I come!!

Hi Fran: I know you wrote this 13 months ago....but I had to applaud you. I just got accepted to a respiratory therapy program here in Michigan..the competition was tough due to the high unemployment here...ppl going back to school etc etc.. I am 54 yrs and happy that I got selected...but also know this aint no easy thing I'm embarking on...if you did it so can I....any advice...I hear that the instructors where I'm supposed to be learning don't like to answer questions either...I know I have to read ahead of lecture etc etc, been doing lots of research on the field and some on what to expect as a student...what's your input..and now that your in the field how do you like it??