Options for new RT grads?

SwimBikeRun in Laguna Niguel, California said: Ok, I'm freaking out b/c I'm busting my butt trying to get into Fall 2010 program at OCC and now you're all saying NO jobs in So Cal area.
1) Should I look into different program like Surgery Tech, Cardio Tech, Pharm Tech?
2) Does anyone know much about the program at Concorde in Garden Grove? Program start dates, costs etc. Or any other programs that are not so impacted?
I am going into the Respiratory Therapy Program this Fall 2010 at East Los Angeles College. I am just as worried as you if this is the right program for me. I have busted my butt and paid a lot of dues to get this far and I still have a long way to go. Do not go to Concorde. there are 3 reasons why.
1) It is a crap education that is rushed
2) it cost 48,000 dollars for 18 months
3) Hospitals know about these private schools and find that students who graduate from community colleges are much better on the floor and much better trained. Due to the fact that community college requires more pre reqs. Its a Longer program and they do more clinical hours. It makes them better trained and better prepared. Hospitals will choose a community college applicant over a private school any day. Trust me I talked to RT departments at several hospitals in the LA area and they all say the same thing. It really comes down to doing what you love. Do you have a stronger desire of being a nurse? or an RT? For me I realize money isn't everything and it doesn't buy happiness. RN looks so much more stressful and I could see myself getting burned out in time. RT I find so much more fascinating and Its something I know I will enjoy and could see myself doing for many years. I am already a Diver Medic and a Certified Hyperbaric Technician. Having these two specialties makes RT the right direction because I deal with Gas laws and pressure on sick patients every day. Please respond any comments or opinions from others is welcome

in responce to your comment, i am a concorde Graduate of the CRT program & recently of the ART program. True it is a fast pace program, it depends on how u learn if you are a slow learner.DON'T GO THERE.. it is not true that it cost 48,000. how ever if it did & u choose to pay that- thats your business iunless your asking us for donations. as far as facilities during our clinicals. Our schoolhad very good level1 sites & a good amount of sub- acute clinic site if u choose to go that direction. As far as clinical hours i worked 3 12hr shifts as if i were staff there every week for a total of 30 weeks for the CRT program for the ART program it was it was a little over 200 hrs, from what we were told we did more than our share as far as clinical hours. I remember being there with other students from 2 or 3 other schools who were there for 8hrs 2x's a week. WHO DO U THINK THEY REMEMBERED WHEN I CAME BACK FOR A JOB? when you go out to these site do your best ask questions learn as much as you can, take in all you can. make them remember u. the one thing Community College, Private schools Junior Colleges cannot teach you are good work ethics and if they see this in you it doesnt matter what school you go to. Your have to be a good representation of youself.. esp if you go to Concorde. Represent yourself as a person not a school. Concorde has to be doing something rite. i past all 3 boards 1st attempt vs my a few of my friends who waited it out for SJ. very good school dont get me wrong. in the end we all take the same state boards- there are no special LD boards created just for Concorde or any other fast pace school to help us pass. Now being a graduate from Concorde the only problem i had during my time there was in the financial aid dept. they really need to work on who the hell they hire there. i will not go into detail about that, but other than that we had very good instructors. i had a good experience. oh yeah i am working & so is the majority of my class.

You have to be a go getter...when it comes to getting you jobs..treat you clinical site like its you job interview...& try to lay off putting other schools down if you choose not to go to those types of school fine- go some where else thats you decision. in the end you pay your loan back..no-one else..:-)

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME.
I NEED A JOB. I HAVE MY RRT IN THE STATE OF NY. RELOCATED HERE AFTER GRADUATION AND IT IS CRAZY FINDING A JOB IN NY. HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME.

Cindy Dahn in lapeer, Michigan said: I currently just graduated with a degree in respirtory therphy but im having problems in finding a job in michigan. I am currently finshing up all of my boards. Does any one now of any jobs in michigan that could maybe help me?

Good luck! I graduated in December with my degree, the only places to get a respiratory job in michigan is on the east side of the state!

I'm looking for subacute work in Florida is there such a thing or have nurses taken over this area. It's been awhile since I practiced anyone out there?

Are there any hospitals in NYC hiring New grads??? I have my CRT and I am RRT eligible. I need a job asap! Helppppppppp!

azmina kanji in Los Angeles, California said: call me or send me your resume if you are interested in a stable job, working with the elderly in an outpatient set up
requirements:
YOU MUST be a fantastic people personality, work well with an established team and be very patient and compassionate
excellent setting
if you have an RRT it is a plus

email me

Hello I am currently a CRT, I am new to this, I have been volunteering at a hospital but they wont hire me do to the lack of experience. HELP!

Hi! I graduated 4 months ago as a crt. I've been looking for a job ever since not single interview yet. I need a job pls help! Ill take per-diem, full time, nihgts, on call, travel anything!

Hi,
I am an RRT, Graduated in OCT 2010. I am currently employed at a sleep disorder lab. I took the job because i wanted to get working right away and was not having any luck finding work in Acute care. I currently live in Sacramento, CA but i am will to travel anywhere to get started. If you have any advise or leads, please contact me michaelbmoeller@hotmail.com

Thank You, Mike

David in Nitro, West Virginia said: Here you go..

Email from yahoo.. if you want me to forward it to you give me your email address. I wlll be glad to.. I have a face to face interview with the Director and the assistant director on March 26th... Good luck with your skills..

David: Your resume was sent to us from Duke Human Resources. If you are interested in interviewing for one of our current openings please contact Judy Scott (919-681-****) to schedule an appointment. If you would like to learn more about working as a Respiratory Care Practitioner at Duke Hospital before setting up an interview, feel free to contact me at the number below.

Thank you for your interest in Duke Respiratory Care.

Robert B. Campbell, MBA, RRT, RCP
Associate Director
Respiratory Care Services
Duke University Hospital
Phone: 919-681-****

It wont let me put the numbers on this post

Hello to people that went for interview at Duke or work there,I know this is a old post but do u guys mind sharing your interview experience/question during your interview at Duke please?
I have one coming up and little nervous.
Thanks a lot

I am a new graduate Respiratory Therapist, I have The CRT and The RRT license every I apply they don't even call for a job interview, they reply only to let me know I don't meet the criteria because I don't have Hospistal experience in RT. I have other Hospital Experience in Patient care Technician like 7 years. If they don't hire me where I can find those experience they're asking. I need someone to help me out. I need to work as a RRT so badly. I keep praying I know a day God will give a surprise (Job) because that him sent me to school gave me a lot of knowledges, comment sense to pass the three big Respiratory Tests to become a RRT, with him I am not going to loose my faithfull because when he opens a door, he opens it widely not half. Keep praying my brothers and sisters Respiratory Therapists only him the answer of your prayers don't give up guys you have a loan to pay.

i am also new graduate crt; i cannot find job in this area; anybody know anyone hiring in maryland dc area.

can some one help me, im looking into this line of work but confused, can someone tell me the diffrence between professional licensing (rcp)differs from professional credentialing (rrt). please help

can someone help me what are some work places a graduated reps therapist may be qualified for ?

clinicals in Rockville, Maryland said: i am also new graduate crt; i cannot find job in this area; anybody know anyone hiring in maryland dc area.

I work at Johns Hopkins Hospital and I always see job openings for Reps Therapist ..Plus if u have your CRT n u have a whole year to get ur RRT i love this place =)

hope said: can some one help me, im looking into this line of work but confused, can someone tell me the diffrence between professional licensing (rcp)differs from professional credentialing (rrt). please help

The License (you must apply for a license in each state individually)is what you must obtain in order to work--but you may apply for it after you pass your first credentialing exam (CRT). Although the credential comes first, you must have BOTH licensing AND credentialing in order to work as an RT. (Alaska & Hawaii used to make exceptions, I don't know if they still do or not)

I you are seriously looking into becoming an RT, and you need to be able to support yourself, then either choose another field OR contact the facilities in which you want to work & ask their HR Department which RT Schools they have Clinical Program Rotations with. It's bleak right now, jobwise--and the rent/mortgage doesn't care whether it's your dream or not. Be ready to undergo serious economic hardship should you decide to proceed. Best of luck to you.