a good career choice?

Hello, dreamy00. I can see why they might want to have us students retake science courses after 5 years have lapsed, perhaps because of the changes involved in those fields, but it is indeed frustrating for us folks who are unable to go to school fulltime. An LVN coworker told me, I try to take 1 or 2 pre-requisite courses as my schedule allows, but then by the time I am done with my prereqs, there's a long waiting list, and by the time it might get to you, your science courses have expired, and you have to take them again.

wish they (the school system/requirements) could give us a little break though.

Your right bcuz in summer '09 my the first anatomy & physiology cclass will be too old i took it in summer of '04 so now thats on the line if they hadnt omitted the spring program i would have been ok, i'm going to try to appeal this and see if they'll let it slide it's only a month and then Fall admittance to the program begins, but thats if i get accepted in May.............. my GPA is only 3.59 but like I said that was with taking care of a dying husband who passed in May 2007, now I'm back to school so I rwally dont want to be taking more and more classes as I'm 53, and thank goodness I saw a post that said they really didnt look at age, hope thats true!

Hi dreamy00,
I just finished reading your comments and am truly impressed by your efforts to complete your studies even though you’re 53(no offense).The reason why I am telling you this is because I am 37 and I am about to change completely my carrier, and often I feel a little bit discouraged because of my age. Your testimony is a lesson for me and others; it’s a lesson of strength, good will, perseverance. I thank you, and wish you all the best. God bless you and this country

I remember when i was in LVN school, I had mother and daughter classmates. The mom was 60 and the daughter was 30. That was so much fun watching them graduate together. When the daughter "misbehaved," the mom would "disown" her, hahaha. Guess i mentioned that to illustrate age spectrum in health care careers.

To kind of get some financial help, i checked out scholarships available, and was disapointed that they tend to discriminate, like age-wise they'd have so many for fresh high school grads, and i could understand why---more chances of them getting their money's worth. Now, there's this scholarship i checked out---but only to those who are in high management positions, and already with MSNs and PhDs in Nursing, theyre already up there in seniority and salary range, why scholarship for THEM?

ok, take care, everyone!

Thank you Murik for your kind comments you made my day. ;)

Jason in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma said: Ed, I have a different prospective then Rolinda. No disrespect Rolinda but, Respiratory therapy is a great field to get into! I wouldn't push RN on my worst enemy (no offenses to the RN's out there!) cause I can almost promise you that within a short period of time (maybe 2-3 years) you would want out of patient care if you choose to become a nurse ( the burnout rate is very high with nurses, and not nearly as common with RT's). The work loads and demands put on RN's are ridiculus and the pay ($1 or $3 more then an RT) is simply not worth it!! In addition, just think if we get universal health care some time soon, your patient loads will be almost impossible! With RT you can become a/n perfusionist, or even a physician asst.. Or you can just get your undergrad and get into management, open your open biz, or Work in sales or research and development for a res. company. The sky's the limit! Good luck with your descision!!

Hi Jason, No offense taken. We as individuals naturally have our own perspectives to offer. I agree; Respiratory Therapy is an excellent career field, which is why I am on my 12th year working as a RT. I graduated in 1997. A career as a RN is also a good choice, especially for Ed, if he plans to stay in his area. In contrast with available RN positions, employment opportunities for RTs in or near his area of Kalamazoo, Michigan are very limited. I wish you well. Good journey.

come on, folks, hope this doesnt become RT versus RN as better choice forum. in a a post i wrote before, i shared about this dude who's both RN AND RT. At one workplace, he functions as RN, while at another he functions as RT, and while folks whine/debate which has less load, better pay, be is busying himself too pursuing his degree in Physical Therapy.

A very crude and rude remark I read months ago was posted by someone who, in reference to nursing, said he wouldn't envy a job that requires "wiping another man's johnson." Looked like some homophobia and misguided "machisimo." If that "macho man" ever got so sicko sick and unable to do his own perineal care, imagine if possible caregivers, perhaps even his own family members, just had the same opinion, he's gonna have quite a stinky, infected, messed-up johnson.

If you make it an rt vs rn it will not go well im an rt and i tell you i learned a lot from rn's we focus mainly on the lungs and heart that we kinda lack in the other systems i learned how the other systems worked with the lungs i trust a lot of good icu nurses and they do the same with me its a trust thing not an us vs them

myle in San Diego, California said: I was in the same position as you. I choose the path of respiratory therapy. I have one more year left. Sure, you do get paid A LOT more being a RDH. Most dentist employ hygienists part time. Therefore, you will not get health benefits. As a respiratory therapist you do (excluding per diem). I was a dental assistant for 5 years. I am happy with the choice I made.

Hope that helps.

where do dental hygenist make more than respiratory therapist if you live in that area then move

Natalie in Chula Vista, California said: it's great that i'm hearing from so many people in my area in san diego! well i appreciate all of this feedback from REAL PEOPLE--as opposed to some sweeping generality and scattered statistics from a website. WELL HERES MY QUESTION, im 19, and i want to get into RESPIRATORY THERAPY. my parents dont want me deal with loans after finishing school...and i want to assure them that my salary will be sufficient.WILL IT? ..and can i get a well-paying job with an associates?..(even if i plan to eventually work on my bachelors?)

i made over 90 thousand dollars this past year with an average of 8 overtime hours every 2 wks you tell me if its owrth it

Aisha in Salisbury, Maryland said: I'm corrently a respiratory therapy major in a university, but I'm thinking of going back to a two years college to get an associate degree because of the tuition. Could anyone give me an advice please?

do it and then work on your bs while you are working and making that money

that's what all of my kids are doing they started out at the local universities saw that tuition was going to cost them unbelievably high debt so they returned to their local community colleges earned the credits needed and had those credits transferred back to the university they started out at, it's saving them alot of $$. Three of my kids are currently doing that., one will be finished her last class toward her B.A. in Fall '09.and then going on to get her Master so she can then enter a PA program at Wayne State U here in MI

Rolinda in Chula Vista, California said: Hi Jason, No offense taken. We as individuals naturally have our own perspectives to offer. I agree; Respiratory Therapy is an excellent career field, which is why I am on my 12th year working as a RT. I graduated in 1997. A career as a RN is also a good choice, especially for Ed, if he plans to stay in his area. In contrast with available RN positions, employment opportunities for RTs in or near his area of Kalamazoo, Michigan are very limited. I wish you well. Good journey.

Rolinda: You live in CA, so do you have info on where there are RT positions all over the US? Where are the most openings, not that I have to worry about that for about 2 yrs, but just curious

Dreamy...are you attending HFCC?

dreamy00 in Novi, Michigan said: Rolinda: You live in CA, so do you have info on where there are RT positions all over the US? Where are the most openings, not that I have to worry about that for about 2 yrs, but just curious

Hi dreamy00, I just look at the openings on this site when I research RT positions in different cities and states. You can plug in Respiratory Therapist, Registered Nurse, Radiology Tech...etc. and click on jobs, then enter which city and state you want and it will bring up available positions for that profession within that city and state. This can be done on the Career Builder site as well. I hope this helps. Good journey.

eh i have to take3 anatomy and physiology before i can apply or be enrolled.. so ill be taking that right now.. its good to know the time deadline of science classes... have you thought about applying to other CC's in your area... if i dont get into LAVC i think ill go to Simi valley.. adult.. i just want this done with already...

Hi there,
I would like to be a registered respiratory therapist.I already finished with my general classes in MATC ( great community college).RRT will be my second career,first one-Pharmacy Technician.I was graduated in december 08, and can't found any open position in Institution Pharmacy :( I hope with RRT education I'll me more lucky.

I'm sorry "I'll BE more lucky"

i am about to graduate from high school in june.I dont know if i should go to a community college and take RT courses or go to a career college and take an 18 month course that will get me my AS degree.what should i do??

Kathy,

I take it you are interested in the health care career or occupation?

I wonder if I am allowed to post a link here, if not, assuming as your post says, you are in Los Angeles, try to google or yahoo "los angeles county jobs", you might find a site that kinda looks like this dhr.lacounty.info click on it and you will find out the jobs available, not just health careers, also has police, firefighter, clerical, info tech, student worker. The cool thing about the site is when you click on specific jobs, you will find out the minimum and maximum salaries of that specific job, so you could also compare.

If you ever decide to work for the LA County, they have this cool thing too called Employee Retirement Income, well, like a Pension, in which the longer you've worked for them, the closer you are to getting 100% of your highest salary in your career.

Assuming, Kathy, you decided to go for RT, and after 30 years of service you decide to retire. Say your highest salary as RT/Respiratory care Practitioner would be $10,000 per month, that means even when you are not working anymore/retired, you will be receiving that much money. Neat, huh?

That means, for you, at the age of 50 or early 50's, you could, whew, take it easy!

That figure of $10,000 though was for illustrative purposes only.

Hope this helps. Take care.

thanks jo greg from norwalk.Really healps. [ =
take care as well...

kathy in Los Angeles, California said: i am about to graduate from high school in june.I dont know if i should go to a community college and take RT courses or go to a career college and take an 18 month course that will get me my AS degree.what should i do??

Community college has one big advantage over private/tech schools. The classes that you take for your prereq. will transfer over if you ever decide to get your your BS or decide to go into something else. private/tech school classes do not. Also factor the cost, community college is way cheaper then private/tech schools (concorde in san diego is around 40K)
hope that helps

Rolinda in Chula Vista, California said: Hi My_AZ, In school, we are inundated with an overwhelming amount of information, including, Avogadro's Law, Boyle's Law.....etc. It may seem trivial, but it is necessary. As Respiratory Therapists, we administer gases, such as Oxygen and Nitric Oxide....etc. to help our patients. While working in a Pulmonary Clinic testing patients' lung function in a Pulmonary Function Lab, I administer gas mixtures, such as Nitrogen, Carbon Monoxide, Methane and Acetylene to help Physicians monitor and diagnose our patients' lung condition. During Altitude Studies either with or without treadmill exercise, I blend a very low tank Oxygen mixture with Room Air(21% Oxygen), simulating an FIO2(%O2) at a given Altitude Level(9,000 feet, 12,000 feet...etc), record patients' SaO2, utilizing an oximeter and then obtaining an ABG. This test helps Physicians determine whether our lung compromised patients' can travel to their destination or do anything strenuous, such as walking or hiking. Respiratory Therapists work in an exciting field. I like what I do. Learn the concepts; understand the "why" behind what we do and enjoy the ride!. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Good journey.

Hi Rolinda,
Can you tell me anything you know about the salary for RRT in San Diego. I already have my BS in psychology and wanted to move back to San Diego after I graduate. Also do you know anything about the rady's childrens hospital residency program ?
Thank you so much, and in advance thank you for any knowledge you can supply me.
Thank you.
LP

Kerry in Los Angeles, California said: Hi, check out Orange Coast College. They have an excellent program! They are fully accredited. Do not go to ACC. You will not be able to transfer your credits anywhere! I'am currently attending OCC for their RT program. Total tuition will be around 3k! I will start the program in 1 more semester (2 if I include this semester) season and have been on the waiting list for only 1 semester. goodluck and feel free to ask me any questions if you need more info.

Hello Karry. I am currently looking into attending OCC for their RT program. I will be graduating in May with an A.S degree in General Studies form another college. I was undecided with my major, but I finally know what career path I want to pursue. Can you tell me how your experience was in getting in the program? Is the waiting list really that long? I know it’s a good school and I frankly don't mind the wait as long as I can get quality training. I will be talking to an advisor pretty soon, but I would like to hear from you first. Any information you give me will be appreciated.

Lara P in Las Vegas, Nevada said: Hi Rolinda,
Can you tell me anything you know about the salary for RRT in San Diego. I already have my BS in psychology and wanted to move back to San Diego after I graduate. Also do you know anything about the rady's childrens hospital residency program ?
Thank you so much, and in advance thank you for any knowledge you can supply me.
Thank you.
LP

Hi Lara P, Salary differs with each employer. According to this site...Indeed.com, the average salary is $53,000.00, which is ten percent lower than average RRT salaries for job postings nationwide. Our job market is contingent upon supply and demand. Consider the high number of RTs graduating from the many schools here in San Diego. The supply is greater than the demand. Our saturated market combined with our nation wide economic crisis leaves many new RT graduates wanting and having difficulty finding employment. My employer has frozen all open RT positions until we have weathered this economic storm. I know others are doing the same. According to Rady Children Hospital's Respiratory Therapist Residency Program's website at www.chsd.org/11621.cfm, The 5 month RT Residency begins late July. Applicants are able to start applying in mid-to-late February. We recommend applying as soon as possible after the jobs are posted. When applying, we also require having a cover letter prepared, which you will be able to paste in to the application that indicates the following:

1. Your commitment to a career in pediatric or neonatal
respiratory care.
2. Your availablity for an interview.
3. Why you want to be a pediatric or neonatal RT at Rady
Children's.
4. When you anticipate graduating(or when you did graduate)from
your respiratory program.

You'll have to read the rest via their website for more information. I hope this helps. I wish everyone well. Good journey.

Thank you so much for your time and sharing your knowledge with me.
LP

chrystal in Kansas City, Missouri said: Believe me, I have been grossed out many times by patients with lots of secretions, and other bodily fluids. At some point you don't think about how gross it is, and you go on about your business. You know you've become a real RT when you can go to lunch and the topic of discussion is how bloody the last trauma was or how far your trach pt could cough out sputum....

Hi I was wondering if you could give me some pointers? I am thinking about going to Concorde because of the fitting schedule of 8 to 1 but really are there many RT positions in KC? I have a family I need to contribute to so basically anything I do will be a little harder than some. I checked on CTU but I can not go 8 to 5 every day I graduated in 95 and I know I'd totally go brain ded after that many hours. Any help you can offer would be more than appreciated thank you.

stacey in Dearborn, Michigan said: I just started school at a community college and am wanting to get into the respiratory therapy program but I heard theres a waiting list...

I don't know how long the list is but I wanted to know overall if I should wait to get put on it? is it worth it? my mom passed away because of a respiratory failure she had emphysema, bad asthma etc. so i became interested in it.

if someone could tell me if its worth the wait and everything I would feel better and have a better idea of what I should do...because right now I'm debating if I should find another field.

Hi I'm basically in the same place youve been in with your mom my mom is my hero and is on a respirator and has cardio vascular disease. I'm a cancer survivor and I want to help people and take pride in what I do.I'm thinking about going to a tech school because I need and want to be able to pay back my loan and be able to provide for my family and because of the cutting in interest rates and the greedy C.E.O's messing up the stock market I'm now looking down the line at supporting my parents as well. Do you have any pointers I should or should not do? I really need to make the right decision. Thank You

Can anyone point me in the right direction. I'm interested in going into the RT field. I really want to help people. My mom is on a respirator for having damaged lungs and heart. With her being my hero it points me more in the RT direction. I'm thinking about going to Concorde in K.C I have a family to support and need to do school the faster way also I have medical bills from having cancer removed. I know what it's like to be a patient in alot of aspects. I also want to be able to reach out to the family of the patient and be able to offer some comfort for them. The school (Concorde)is trying to put me into the medical assistant program but I'm reading it doesn't have many job openings. I need a career that has job openenings and higher pay and still help people the way I feel I should. Since the economic dilema I'm now trying to get pre ready to take care of my parents in their later yrs. Maybe I should try for LPN instead? I really need to do the right thing here and any help I would deeply appreciate. Thank You

message for Stephanie in Kansas City Missouri:

Please check if your city or neighbouring cities have something like a Regional Occupational Program, a school for vocational courses like LPN, other health care occupations, computer courses, etc. Basically, in those places, tuition is free, you do spend for books and uniforms, but free tuition is a great deal.
I graduated from an LVN program way back 1997, and it might have cost me $1,000 that time, while the private LVN schools charged $15,000-$18,000. Again, this was 1997. I heard private schools currently charge at least $30,000 for LVN course.

The challenge to being in the tuition-free schools is staying in the program. Instructors used to remind us, "Whatever money you might be spending here does not pay our salaries. We can kick you out just like that!" and they were not kidding either. They were really strict.

Hope this helps!

you may have just saved my life. I know that sounds weird but I'm under tremendous stress and your suggestion REALLY means the world to me!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Stephanie

I unfort haven't found anything yet but hopefully I will. Concorde wants to charge me 12,000 something for 8 months medical assistants school with me having to come up with a thousand something all at once. I told them I can't do it I have alot of doc bills from having cancer I need to pay off. I will keep researching and once again thank you.

You are welcome, Stephanie.

This looks kinda strange though, i know the message is from you, but it showed up as message from "Jo Greg".

In case there are no Regional Occupational Programs there, there might be Adult Schools offering similar classes.

Sorry I was at work and trying to do a couple things as I was writing you and for some reason thought I was supposed to put your name in the user name box. Sometimes I'm a little slow. Sorry :)

stephanie,

here's a link to a college that should be pretty close to home www.petersons.com/UGChannel/code/InstVC.asp?inunid=8113&sponsor=1#Majors hope this helps.

jo greg

hello everyone..
does anyone know of a good community college that has a good rt program
or a college wher i can taransfre if i want to get my bachlers

for kathy in LA,

try orange coast college, here's their site www.orangecoastcollege.edu/academics/course_cat/Respiratory+Care+Certificate.htm

hope it helps, and hope i get to eat hawaiian barbecue as reward, hahaha.

jo greg

Hello to everyone

I am taking prereqs right now for RT program. On their site it says, that i have to get at least C for anatomy and other classes. But i think that because of competition C it is gonna be not enough. What do you think?

Thank You! :)

you need to have at least a 3.5 gpa and above, so a C isn't going to cut it the competition is extremely
stiff because of this country's economic decline, people want high paying careers that are also supposedly recession proof

Dennis in Detroit, Michigan said: Dreamy...are you attending HFCC?

No I'm attending OCC in Southfield, hoping to get into the Fall '09 RT program

Olga in Los Angeles, California said: Hello to everyone

I am taking prereqs right now for RT program. On their site it says, that i have to get at least C for anatomy and other classes. But i think that because of competition C it is gonna be not enough. What do you think?

you need to have at least a 3.5 gpa and above, so a C isn't going to cut it the competition is extremely
stiff because of this country's economic decline, people want high paying careers that are also supposedly recession proof

As far as I know, NOBODY asks what your gpa is when you go looking for a job.

I wasn't talking about the actual j.o.b. I'm referring to the competition and the requirements just to get into the RT program the higher the gpa the better the chances. For instance at my college in MI last year there were only 60 applicants who applied to the RT program this year they have 600! So who do you think is gonna get accepted first into the program?

dream00 in Detroit, Michigan said: I wasn't talking about the actual j.o.b. I'm referring to the competition and the requirements just to get into the RT program the higher the gpa the better the chances. For instance at my college in MI last year there were only 60 applicants who applied to the RT program this year they have 600! So who do you think is gonna get accepted first into the program?

The school I'm applying to it's first come first serve as long as you meet the prereq requirements. It doesn't matter if you get straight A's or the minimum C's. They have established rules inplace for this.

hey all ,

i jus finished my gen 1 classes at concorde in north hollywood ca . its pretty easy there the professors are nice and make the work not too hard. plus the schedule in 1-5 m-t only.

Jason in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma said: Jeff, thats a pretty good chunk of change! Have you ever traveled? I'm thinkin about it. The money and the benefits are great! A friend of mine got offered 150k plus 20k sign on bonus (all tax free) for 1 years work in nepal. Plus they were gonna provide two meals a day and free apt. Traveling international is were the real money is! I would love to go to europe or Japan myself!

Jason,

Can you be more specific about this travel job in Nepal? I am dying to go to this country. Specific in the sense of experience and job responsibilities?
Thanks.

thank you for your comment it does help alot in my decision about concord. Are you going to take R.T from there? I'm not too sure what the regular and advanced R.T program is all about?

stacey in Dearborn, Michigan said: I have a question..I can either stay at my community college and get my associates then transfer and get my bachelors or just transfer now and work toward my bachelors...any thoughts?

Stacey,
Are you in a RT program at a community college right now? If so I would recommend finishing that program and earning your associates and getting RRT credential, then transfer to a 4-year university for your bachelors. Also, all community colleges offer Phi Theta Kappa membership to students with a 3.5 GPA or above. I strongly urge you to join as you will be eligible for scholarships to 4-year universities and it looks great on a resume'. If your not actually in a RT program and money is no issue then apply for a 4-year program. I strongly encourage you to seek a Bachelors degree, it will help in future to go further in your career. I'm personally in a community college Program and I love it and it's very affordable. I'm goin to transfer to UAMS for my Bachelors. Best of luck to you...

RRT in Anaheim, California said: Jason,

Can you be more specific about this travel job in Nepal? I am dying to go to this country. Specific in the sense of experience and job responsibilities?
Thanks.

Dear RRT in Anaheim,
My friend (who's in the same program as me) his brother got offered to go to Nepal. He traveled mainly throughout U.S. and got married and quit traveling altogether. He was offered it bout 2-years ago and I'm not sure which travel company offered him the job. He turned down the job after hearing of his wife's pregnancy. He says in retrospect he wishes he'd have gone, not just for the mega bucks but also the experience. I would just google intl travel jobs and explore whats out there. I would imagine though with the worldwide economy that many of those jobs are no longer available. Best of luck to you...