RT is the biggest mistake in my life

I got CRT & RRT 3 years ago. In past two months, I only got 9 hours of pay. Selecting RT is the biggest mistake in my life.

No, living in LA is the biggest mistake of your life. Get real, don't blame your profession. There are no jobs for RT's there.

RRT7 in Los Angeles, California said: I got CRT & RRT 3 years ago. In past two months, I only got 9 hours of pay. Selecting RT is the biggest mistake in my life.

Due to the recession, bankruptcy has forced Hospitals, Clinics and Private Institutions in southern California to close, which leaves less employment opportunities for Healthcare Professionals. Consider the high number of Respiratory Therapy school programs located in California. Our current job market cannot absorb the number of graduates from each of these schools. It is over saturated. The Respiratory Field is not at fault. The recession is effecting our job market. Think outside the box. Consider relocating to another city/state. These are difficult times, but not impossible. RT positions are available, they're just more difficult to find. Never give up. Good journey.

RRT7 in Los Angeles, California said: I got CRT & RRT 3 years ago. In past two months, I only got 9 hours of pay. Selecting RT is the biggest mistake in my life.

...sorry to hear that...but maybe this will help...
you could move or travel...they need travel therapist all over the country...the pay is great!
tinche

How did you all pay for your apartments/living expenses while in respiratory school? The school I would like to attend is in another city and I've been told that you can't work and attend RT school, so what is the solution?

Sherry in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: How did you all pay for your apartments/living expenses while in respiratory school? The school I would like to attend is in another city and I've been told that you can't work and attend RT school, so what is the solution?

Many RT students work while attending school. In fact I work with a contracted CPAP Tech from Integrated who is currently in RT school. It won't be easy, but anything is possible if you apply yourself. There are Grants and School Loans available. Tuition for Community College Accredited RT Programs are affordable compared to the outrageous cost of Private/Technical Institutions. I hope this helps. Good journey.

Thanks for your input Rolinda. So far, I have been approved to have my entire program paid for, but what I was trying to figure out was how to pay for my apartment, car, groceries, etc. while in school for two years. Has anyone out there worked as an EMT while in RT school? I was wondering if working in this field would be a help or hindrance? Anyone's suggestions on working while going to RT school would be greatly appreciated.

Is the job market in LA for RTs super bad? My fiancee is still a student and wants to get his BA at either USC or UC Irvine, with USC being the first choice (he wants to work in gaming art-Blizzard specifically so it seems to be best place to go).

We won't be moving for another 2 years but I am going to need to find a job as an RT and hopefully afford to live there until he gets his degree...and reading these comments I'm getting worried.

Tasha in North Haven, Connecticut said: Is the job market in LA for RTs super bad? My fiancee is still a student and wants to get his BA at either USC or UC Irvine, with USC being the first choice (he wants to work in gaming art-Blizzard specifically so it seems to be best place to go).

We won't be moving for another 2 years but I am going to need to find a job as an RT and hopefully afford to live there until he gets his degree...and reading these comments I'm getting worried.

It is pretty bad. I work at a college as an instructor for a respiratory program. The placement rates have all declined in the last 2 years; correlating with the bad economy in California. In two years who knows, but for now its pretty bad. Years of experience will help you.

I am in North Carolinia and have worked for twenty years and was blessed to always make very good money in Durable Medical Equipment. I wish I had gone back and gotten my RT but I was doing so well and really didn't see that CRT's would be gone in years to come. I am married with three sick kids and my wife isn't well. I have been out of work for almost a year and I am afraid. I have tried to get my transcript so I can go back to become an RT and then I would bride to an RN. Problm is, my CRT one year advanced program is no longer there. The program was licensed and accredited and taken over by a community college in Kansas. I have written the board, the person who was the director of my school and now the director of the current school and they won't help me in anyway. I would have to start all over again and after paying for a program and working my butt off all these years, I don't fell its fair. Does anyone know how I could get legal help so I could recover my transcript. I hold my CRT in NC and Mo and I have looked everywhere for a job. At this point, I am concerned that I must get education now or later I will have no job at all. Please, if anyone can help me out here, I really need it. As far as jobs for RT's there are more than CRT's. If your a CRT, there is nothing anywhere. I would suggest anyone thinking of this filed to go into nursing instead. School for nursing is hard as heck to get into so becoming an LPN to an RN then brige to a BA may be the fastest way and the only way to keep money coming in. I didn't have nayone pushing me into school but my wife and until now, I made excellent money. Education and as much as you can get in Nursing or Physical therapy, Occupational is the best way to go. Good luck to all of you and all I cn hope for is someone who can help me.

where would be a good city or state for RT's??? I live in orange county CA.

In response to the comment made by christopher in Waynesville, North Carolina stating in part "Does anyone know how I could get legal help so I could recover my transcript?".....have you considered the affordable alternative to a Pre-Paid Legal Plan? If you would like to preview the benefits, go to www.familyplaninfo.com and click on "View The Movie". I am very confident they could help! It has helped me and my family TREMENDOUSLY! I welcome your questions and can be contacted via my website. Good Luck!

Susan Byrtus
www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/sbyrtus

RRT7 in Los Angeles, California said: I got CRT & RRT 3 years ago. In past two months, I only got 9 hours of pay. Selecting RT is the biggest mistake in my life.

In current and future RT field, the key of being hired is Whom do you know NOT What do you have!

Sherry in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: Thanks for your input Rolinda. So far, I have been approved to have my entire program paid for, but what I was trying to figure out was how to pay for my apartment, car, groceries, etc. while in school for two years. Has anyone out there worked as an EMT while in RT school? I was wondering if working in this field would be a help or hindrance? Anyone's suggestions on working while going to RT school would be greatly appreciated.

Rolinda is right. You can work and attend school and do your clinicals. It is difficult to fit it all in and still spend time with your family but it can be done. I attend clinicals with a few students who go to school from 5 pm to 10 pm three days/week. Unfortunately, those hours wouldn't allow me to keep the job I currently have so I chose the distance education route. It can be done though! Good luck!

Matt in Spring, Texas said: Rolinda is right. You can work and attend school and do your clinicals. It is difficult to fit it all in and still spend time with your family but it can be done. I attend clinicals with a few students who go to school from 5 pm to 10 pm three days/week. Unfortunately, those hours wouldn't allow me to keep the job I currently have so I chose the distance education route. It can be done though! Good luck!

Is this distance school affiliated with an institution that is on probation? If so, are you concerned about passing your boards and getting a job?

Move to Long Island. We have about 16 Hospitals and they all hire and pay around 34.00-36.00 an hour and the going per diem rate is up to 40.00. I think the same 500 RRT's fill the 400 open positions. I dont know one RRT who works only works at one place. And we all make over 85,000 a year with about 3-4 extra shifts a month. I went to school in San Diego and was looking for a job at the same time as about 100 graduates. Yeouch!! I bolted and never looked back. MOVE!!!

I have been in the field almost 30 years, BS RRT, it does little to help, take my advice and go for the RN, they have a license that will back you, limit the amount of work the hospital can dump on you. The work is out there, you may feel like you are on a assembly line giving treatments, not much time for quality care and you may have several part time-prn jobs to make full time hours

I live in Charlotte, NC. I work full time 12 hours nights on a shift rotation and am considering Independence University online program for an Associated Degree in Respiratory Therapy. Any advice or experiences with this school. Anything will be helpful.

Don't do it. You will never get the respect that a traditional program will yield and I have been told there are several hospitals that will not hire graduates from these types of programs. If you must go into respiratory, do the traditional route and your education will not be in question. Thought of nursing? you are limiting your opportunies by going into respiratory and nursing pays at least 20% more and has a much greater job demand as well as opportunities. Good luck, I graduated in a traditional community college program in 1983 and my education has never been in question while over the years I have seen many who graduated in non traditional programs be overlooked for hiring. GG, RRT

Sherry in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: How did you all pay for your apartments/living expenses while in respiratory school? The school I would like to attend is in another city and I've been told that you can't work and attend RT school, so what is the solution?

STUDENT LOANS ARE GETTING ME THROUGH, BUT I WORK RIGHT NOW AND I KNOW PLENTY OF MY CLASS MATES THAT WORK FULL TIME.

Sherry in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: Thanks for your input Rolinda. So far, I have been approved to have my entire program paid for, but what I was trying to figure out was how to pay for my apartment, car, groceries, etc. while in school for two years. Has anyone out there worked as an EMT while in RT school? I was wondering if working in this field would be a help or hindrance? Anyone's suggestions on working while going to RT school would be greatly appreciated.

Some hospital auxillary departments (the old ladies that do volunteer work) have scholarships for students in health care careers. The catch is you might have to sign a 1 yr contract for every yr of help they give you. It might be worth looking into...but it might also get your foot in the door at the hospital..(during clinicals) is when, you need to be interactive, and show genuine interest in the field, because a lot of clinical instructors might actually work for the hospitals that you`re doing clinicals and can put a good word in for you. So Take clinicals serious and make a good first impression. Get hired as a student if you can..student pay is very good nowadays and that can help you too.

RT is the biggest mistake in my life
Respiratory Therapy is not the problem its the economy, which has decrease the amount of job opportunities for graduating therapist. What do many expect? To be showered with job opportunities! Get real! This argument that nursing is better then respiratory is a bunch of hogwash. Go into nursing it pays well and the opportunities are grandeur. See if you like it. If nursing was so dire why are the masses not knocking on these programs doors? The waiting list? Many figure since there is a waiting list I'll dive in respiratory school because the pay is good. So, now that the market is crippled, all of the sudden Respiratory Therapy is the worst thing ever. Go figure! Do the research instead of thinking of the big bucks.

RT is the biggest mistake in my life
Respiratory Therapy is not the problem its the economy, which has decrease the amount of job opportunities for graduating therapist. What do many expect? To be showered with job opportunities! Get real! This argument that nursing is better then respiratory is a bunch of hogwash. Go into nursing it pays well and the opportunities are grandeur. See if you like it. If nursing was so dire why are the masses not knocking on these programs doors? The waiting list? Many figure since there is a waiting list I'll dive in respiratory school because the pay is good. So, now that plan B did not work and the market is crippled, all of the sudden Respiratory Therapy is the worst thing ever. Go figure! Do the research instead of thinking of the big bucks.

For those who are complaining of not finding work should remember how your behavior and professionalism translated in clinical rotation. Take clinical serious and make a good first impression. The time has come to upgrade the level of professionalism in this field.

Hi guys, reading all of your comments have been very informative. My fiance is considering a career in RT and since we just relocated to CA he, of course would have to pursue his education here. We are originially from NY so relocating will always be an option, as we love traveling, esp for a great oppportunity, but I am afraid for him after doing some research on the job market for RT's! He definitely wants to get into the medical field but with intentions to provide for our family. Any suggestions on a school that may help his possibilities of landing a job in this field as an RT? And also does anyone know why the value in the need has gone down so drastically for RT's, besides the recession? and clarity on why the re3cession is in fact a factor in RT job availability?

This career is what you make of it. I hear about all the doom and gloom from a lot of people on this forum and I almost started to believe it. I graduated in OCT 2010. Passed my CRT and RRT and had my CA license by the end of December.
I applied for approx 100 openings in California before i got an interview at a sleep lab in Sacramento. I got the job but it turned out to be a bad company to work for. I left after 3 months and started applying again at hospitals. Between May - July, i applied for about another 100 openings. I have had 4 interviews and had 2 job offers. I just accepted a position yesterday as an RRT at a Large county hospital. Almost all of my fellow grads are employed as well and are working 30-50 hours a week. If you arent making it in this career, you aren't trying hard enough.

Wow, reading this scares me a little about being a new grad. Can someone from Minnesota tell me the job outlook for this state and is it as hard for new grads to get a job as the new grads in CA??

Thanks in advance for any help.

thank you som much for that Mike in shermn oaks. ca. I am in my last sememster and graduate at the end of Jan. I to have been getting worried about the job market. There are hardly any positions where I live so I know it comes down to relocating. I am ok with that. I wouldnt mind moving closer to my mother who lives thousands of miles away. I grow frustrated when the nurses are so mean but honest when they suggest If i go the nursing route i'd find a job. So your ambition, diligence, and hard work paid off and I think I will do just that. Congrats to you and enjoy your new job.

honestly, it's tight all over. however, take anything you can so you have experience. per diem jobs often turn into full time or part time benefited position. good luck!

btw, i've been an r.t. for 18+ years and started with a part time slot.

things are tight all over. take anything you can to get your foot in the door. if you are a good employee, a per diem slot can become a full time or part time benefited position. i've been in the field for over 18 years and started out with a part time spot.

good luck!

RRT7 in Los Angeles, California said: I got CRT & RRT 3 years ago. In past two months, I only got 9 hours of pay. Selecting RT is the biggest mistake in my life.

I understand, and completely agree.

i just started in a respiratory program and i am located in Reading Pa. Anyone know the job outlook for PA???

If you have a negative attitude about your profession of course you will have a hard time finding a job. Everything in life is what you make of it and you will reap what you sow. The respiratoery profession is in desparate need of people who are passionate about what they do and are proud to say they are an RRT. If you are unhappy with your career choice maybe going back to school should be your next step. I hope that you will not pass on your negative thoughts about respiratory therapy to current or potential future therapists. Remember some day you may need one of us to help you breath or save your life.

i agree, it's a good job for intelligent caring people!

If moving is not an option you may want to think about changing careers. RT, Rad Tech and nursing are all saturated. There are many openings in the IT field as well as the Culinary Arts field. You may want to consider training for a job in one of these careers.

webdox in Ferndale, Michigan said: No, living in LA is the biggest mistake of your life. Get real, don't blame your profession. There are no jobs for RT's there.

There are few jobs anywhere. It is the professions fault. We have had very poor representation. We went from the 3rd biggest money maker in the hospital to a money looser! When managed care was being discussed in Washington the AARC did not even show up and Represent us. We used to be paid per procedure. Managed care and poor or no representation caused us to fail as a profession. I Remember when we had 20 to 30 jobs weekly in the paper and those were the ones nobody wanted. We still cannot get billed for outside of a Hospital designation and the Federal Government still does not recognize us as a profession!!!! You want a field with great representation try Physical Therapy or Ultra Sound. They pay for it but boy do their people come through for them.

I agree AARC and NBRC have done nothing worthwhile for the profession except ad fees and invent stupid meaningless titles and tests that they can charge for....it's all about $$$...I will never support NBRC or AARC. The only thing they have done for me is made my life harder by convincing hospitals that RRT is the way to go....thereby effectively closing the job market for me at about 90% potential employers....there are a lot of CRT. That can do better jobs than a lot of RRTs.