How hard are classes???

How fast does a new graduate get a job as a respiratory therapist??? What does a respiratory therapist's job entail exactly on a daily basis, is it as gross as I hear?? Want to go to school for this but not sure if it is right for me.

i just graduated eariler this year. the classes were not that hard as long as you study. i actually had fun in RT school, before i did RT i was in nursing school for about a semster i liked RT better. the only problem is i having troule trying to find a job. i live in los angeles, ca and many of the hospitals out here are hiring RT's but they want some one with experience. it has been almost 7 months and still havent found a job.

I want2bRT in Houston, Texas said: Im about to start RT school in the fall.
I was wondering if anyone can tell me what Im in for..?
Are classes really hard?
What does a typical day in RT school consist of?
Will I be attending class early in the morning?
I hear that classes start at 5a.m in the morning here in Houston Tx

I am currently a student in kingwood college in houston texas, and i just finished my first year today. all i cant tell you is to be serioius about this career. never give up even when it seems hard. the instructors there really want to see you pass and they are willing to help you in any way. know your basic math. clinicals sometimes start at 545, but i never heard of one starting at 5 am. its a really good program. oh yeah, and dont be discouraged about mechnanical ventilation. alot of students say that it is hard to pass, but it didnt seem all that hard, you really got to pay attention to the instructors and dont write while they are talking. make sure you hear them first then write down. dont look in your books also while they are talking because it will only confuse you more and you will get lost. good luck!

Hey thanks for the reply.
It was very helpful.
So 6am huh?
Would I be doing clinicals everyday or some days out of the week?
Are clinicals difficult? Will there be class after clinicals?
Im gonna be attending HCC in Houston tx.
SO can you you tell me what kinds of basic math that I need to know and how I will apply it in the program?
Is it basic algebra? calculus?
What exactly is mechanical ventillation?
Thanks again!!
You are really helpful!

Hi

I'm second year RT student in Ca. The math is very basic, pure addition and multiplication. We use calculators anyway.
Mech vent is the hardest. Basically, you'll learn to keep people alive on ventilators in ICU. ...it is not the math, it is a totaly different level of thinking and advanced cocnepts of mechanics and physiology.

Respiratory Care is a serious program it takes a lot of dedication and commitment. You need to know what it is all about before you decide to go into it. I can tell you it is no joke thing people lives are in your hands. If you have a deep passion for this career and love it then you will master it at all cost.

I currently entering the program in fall. I'm thinking about picking up a part time job. Is it possible/good idea to pick up a part time job while in the respiratory program? Is there anybody working while attending to program? if so, how many hours/week?

im having the same question... im entering this program butt my aim is to woirkin the hosptal since i have some medical gbackground... i think it would be better for me to work FT so i can pay rent... but just 3 days 12's shifts.. and just have time to completely focus.. on hte program.. so any advice can help.. but let me say this... i ;have about 3 aunties.. whom have 3children or around there and did the RNPROGRAM.. they had to work full time because of them being divorced... and needless to say they passed and are RN's in different states... so i think its very possible.. =O

I have been wondering what GPA do you have to have to get into a RT program? Is it just as hard as getting into a RN program?

I have called a lot of RT programs in california and ny. Most cc in California work on a lottery and in NY they do not have waiting lists, so I think it is easier to get into than nursing simply because you will not spend 2 yrs waiting.

what are clinicals?

mike in Houston, Texas said: what are clinicals?

Clinicals is when you go to the hospital and get hands on training what you learned in class/lecture. You better have a clinical instructor. If the school you go to does NOT have a clinical instructor assigned to you or the hospital you will NOT learn the CORRECT (aka the NBRC WAY) of doing procedures and you will be setting yourself up for failure.

hey there in Los Angeles, California said: i just graduated eariler this year. the classes were not that hard as long as you study. i actually had fun in RT school, before i did RT i was in nursing school for about a semster i liked RT better. the only problem is i having troule trying to find a job. i live in los angeles, ca and many of the hospitals out here are hiring RT's but they want some one with experience. it has been almost 7 months and still havent found a job.

I was wondering if anyone has attended SJVC in Bakersfield?? Are the classes hard and have you been able to find a job since you graduated??

is RT school as hard as nursing school? Is is has hard to get into as nursing school

Hi, I'm wondering about RT as a possible career path. Someone told me that there is a lot of dealing with snot involved. Is this true? Also, is there a lot of dealing with emphysema patients?

Gross is all relative...snot , blood, feces, etc. One of those normally gets to people.

Most fields in health care can be quite gross, RT included, but most professionals say that you get over it.

mandy in Bakersfield, California said: I was wondering if anyone has attended SJVC in Bakersfield?? Are the classes hard and have you been able to find a job since you graduated??

Are they hard? Don't know but if you're asking about 'em you can probably handle them. SJVC has a pretty high success rate, so I'm told. Go and we'll find out in the fall together :)

Vallon in Nashville, Tennessee said: Hi, I'm wondering about RT as a possible career path. Someone told me that there is a lot of dealing with snot involved. Is this true? Also, is there a lot of dealing with emphysema patients?

Id rather wipe my nephews snotty booger nose than change his poopie diaper. I think a little mucus won't be so bad. You ever sneezed while driving and just obliterated everything around you with copious amounts of snot and been glad no one else was in the car with you to see it all. You lived through it didn't you. You can handle it and yes I'm sure emphysema will be dealt with. Good luck

blitz1030 in Wilmington, North Carolina said: Gross is all relative...snot , blood, feces, etc. One of those normally gets to people.

Most fields in health care can be quite gross, RT included, but most professionals say that you get over it.

Thats so true, that you will just get over it because i did. I am in the respiratory program now in Victorville. If something ever bothers you just try not to focus on the patient injury. You dont really have to worry about seeing mucus most of the time because you are mostly giving breathing treatments

Are the classes difficult? What are the more challenging subjects?

The RT program can be quite difficult. I'm currently in my last semester of a 2 year program (including summer semesters). I do work part time, but only on weekends. I have class on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 am to 3:30 pm and clinical rotations on Wed, Thurs, and Fri from 7 am to 7 pm. This is until July 15. The previous semesters only had clinical on two days from 7 am to 2 pm, so this semester is considerably harder. Clinicals aren't bad. Yes, it's a lot of work and it can be kind of scary when you first start, but you learn the rhythm of the hospital quickly.

I would recommend that you check any school you're considering and look for a CoARC certification. CoARC is the Committee for Accreditation for Respiratory Care. You can go to their website (www.coarc.com/) and search for the school you're looking at. They have ratings, any complaints or concerns, and a rating system for schools. DO NOT GO TO A SCHOOL THAT DOES NOT HAVE THIS CERTIFICATION! This certification ensures that students are taught respiratory care in a way that complies with NBRC (National Board of Respiratory Care) standards. The NBRC is the organization that says whether or not you can do your job. They do all the licensing and regulation for our field.

Hope this helps.

RRT in SC...Have you found a job yet? Also, would you still pick RT over RN? Thanks

Not yet. I'm going to be moving after I graduate, so I'm really just looking right now. The market is fairly good for RT nationwide, although you're probably going to start on night shift. I would definitely do RT over RN. Better pay, less poop. Seriously though, I've never been interested in being a RN. RT intrigued me because of the variety available to a RT. You can do regular respiratory, which is breathing treatments and ventilators, or you can do home health, cardiology clinic, pulmonary clinic, air medical transport, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, sleep studies, and on and on...

Hi. I graduated a year ago, but haven't passed my CRT exams due to life occurrences & a newborn baby. I took the boards a few times, but was discouraged to take it again. A lot of wasted time has passed. How do I get my feet back into the field so I can successfully pass the boards. I feel like I have forgotten a lot of the material. The Kettering seminars doesn't start anytime soon and I live far from most of the campuses that offers them. What else can I do? I feel so lost. Are there any non-paid intern/externships to help me re-learn some material for the field? Where or what can a unlicensed RT new graduate work as in the mean time until they pass the boards? Please help! Thanks so much!

In a second year RT student in Mississippi. I was wondering if any of you knew what I should expect to make as a RRT with no experience (starting pay). I am dont want to stop at Respiratory Therapy and was wondering what other professions could i get bridge into that would require me to go back to school for to long.

oops i ment that would NOT reqire me to go back to school for to long.

Hi. I graduated a year ago, but haven't passed my CRT exams due to life occurrences & a newborn baby. I took the boards a few times, but was discouraged to take it again. A lot of wasted time has passed. How do I get my feet back into the field so I can successfully pass the boards. I feel like I have forgotten a lot of the material. The Kettering seminars doesn't start anytime soon and I live far from most of the campuses that offers them. What else can I do? I feel so lost. Are there any non-paid intern/externships to help me re-learn some material for the field? Where or what can a unlicensed RT new graduate work as in the mean time until they pass the boards? Please help! Thanks so much!

The only way I see it is to take the kettering. It will help you to pass. I just pass the CRT and I would not passed without them

Katie said: I am going to be going to RT school next fall. I have to take my general ed classes first. My sister is an RN in St. Louis. She is telling me it is extremely gross being an RT. I just keep thinking, it can't be as gross as doing the things an RN has to do. Is it really as gross as she is saying?

is not that gross and the pay is good.

2MUCH4YOU in San Diego, California said: How fast does a new graduate get a job as a respiratory therapist??? What does a respiratory therapist's job entail exactly on a daily basis, is it as gross as I hear?? Want to go to school for this but not sure if it is right for me.

Hi I was wondering have you found a job yet?

Natalie in Phoenix, Arizona said: I am planning on going to RT school. I am looking at Kaplan, Apollo, Or Pima.
Which school would you say is the easiest and most helpful? I hold a bachelors degree but have not been to school in a several years and just a little insecure about the difficulty.

Natalie-Please do yourself a favor stay away from Apollo's program. I know a few ex-instructors from A_____, all they (A_____) are concerned about is your money. Let me put it to you this way "No Student fails or is dismissed from the program". The Respiratory Director statements to his staff 1. 'Are students are the most important asset to us" 2. "Without students we have no jobs" 3. "I what you instructors to make sure all the students needs are meet" etc.. The problem with that is, it's not fair to the hard working students. How would you feel "if you were following the rules and policies and some of your classmates were not? You have to look at respiratory therapy as one profession under one board. After you complete the program you must pass your entry level exam (CRT) then your registerd exam (RRT) which consist of two exams a written and a clinical smuliations exam. Yeah some of the students pass (CRT) first attempt, but the (RRT) exam students are not even prepared for it. A_____ could careless they got their money $32.000. Go to Gateway Community College cost $9.000 and the pass rate for their students (CRT) & (RRT) is around 90-92% first attempt. GWCC program is about 6 months longer. That's also were A____ B.S. the students with "You'll be a RRT in 18 months making good money" "We have passed 5,000 resp students" true statements, but.. "How many of them have passed all of their exams" is the question. I passed all of my exams on the first attempt. The hospital were I work at will not even sign a contact with A____ program. So PLEASE take my advice and do yourself a favor stay away from Apollo & Kaplan also.... GOOD LUCK
GET THE MESSAGE OUT!!!!!

mia in La Mesa, California said: is not that gross and the pay is good.

Hey mia i live in la mesa also and im am going to start the Rt program at california college. Do you think it is possible to work full time and complete the program ? Just looking for tips and advice. Feel free to email me tcarr13@gmail.com. Thanks in advance !

how hard was it to get into the RT program? like, what qualifications did you have, any degrees already, or did you have tons of volunteer work or something?

hey there in Los Angeles, California said: i just graduated eariler this year. the classes were not that hard as long as you study. i actually had fun in RT school, before i did RT i was in nursing school for about a semster i liked RT better. the only problem is i having troule trying to find a job. i live in los angeles, ca and many of the hospitals out here are hiring RT's but they want some one with experience. it has been almost 7 months and still havent found a job.

I'm on the waiting list for an RN program, but have become very interested in the RT program. Can you tell a little bit about why you like RT better? I really don't like the idea of total care in the RN profession. I like the idea of specialized practice. How long do spend with a pt and what is the most hectic part of the job? I need some advice/input.

hi! I was reading the post and I can't help to also ask some questions regarding Respiratory Care. I just started school and my first day of school seems stressful. Is there a better way to study for this major or do you have any suggestion on what book to read besides the required text?

Im having a tough time deciding on wether or not to go into Respitory Theropy. I have started getting things together and but i have not yet started school. I really want to go into the medical field i really like helping people. Though the whole thought of someone's life in my hands worries me im only ninteen years old. I guess my question is will i ever become confedent enough to make big decisions about people on life care and things like that. I've been thinking alot about it and i really want to go into that field. Is there anything i can do while i wait for school to start? Like to prep me or get me ready for what i'll need to know then? I will not start school until next year. I have not taken any medical classes during high school, reason being is that i have just decided on what i wanted to become.

i am in my fourth semester in the respiratory care program. I have a two year old little girl, a job, and go to school full-time in chattanooga Tn. I go to school monday though wednesday from 11:00 A.m till 8:45 P.m. And i am currently carrying a 4.0 So for everyone who is worried about passing and worried about how hard the classes are..... you can do it! it will definately pay off in the end. i know with as busy as i am and can carry good grades and only be 21 years old with all that stress... yea it takes time and dedication. And i hate being gone from my daughter, i truly do, but i know thatim doing this to better our lives and never have to worry about money. Having a child does not end your life or delay your goals, it only pushes you to want more. :)

Goose23 in Valencia, California said: im having the same question... im entering this program butt my aim is to woirkin the hosptal since i have some medical gbackground... i think it would be better for me to work FT so i can pay rent... but just 3 days 12's shifts.. and just have time to completely focus.. on hte program.. so any advice can help.. but let me say this... i ;have about 3 aunties.. whom have 3children or around there and did the RNPROGRAM.. they had to work full time because of them being divorced... and needless to say they passed and are RN's in different states... so i think its very possible.. =O

I have been a therapist for 15 yrs and I still remember I had the same questions. Like how hard is it and what does this mean, but the thing is nobody can answer these questions because we are all different. Many say. Oh the classes aren't hard, but the one thing you have to realize is the qualifications to get in the program are pretty stiff. Which means there are no dummies in the program. You will have college algebra, but don't let anyone tell you its not hard. If you don't know your Respiratory material you won't pass your boards, which by the way are the toughest out there. Are boards are multiple,multiples. not a,b,c,d. You have three exams to complete. We work in formulas and conversions and no its not bad once your into it, but for school and board exams it can be tough. Gas laws, equations. hemodynamics,etc. Plus be prepared to be under appreciated except in time of emergency. I've heard nurses say the study a little bit of everything and I laugh because its true. a little bit...We are specialized in the Cardiopulmonary System heart,lungs,kidneys. We deal with life and death and have great assessment skills..I hate to toot my own RT horn, but it would be very scary in hospitals without RTs. nobody carries the knowledge we do except for good doctors. We can actually assess and put symptoms together to fix the probl

what is the starting pay for a respiratory therapist in Nebraska?

Joe Jones in Phoenix, Arizona said: Natalie-Please do yourself a favor stay away from Apollo's program. I know a few ex-instructors from A_____, all they (A_____) are concerned about is your money. Let me put it to you this way "No Student fails or is dismissed from the program". The Respiratory Director statements to his staff 1. 'Are students are the most important asset to us" 2. "Without students we have no jobs" 3. "I what you instructors to make sure all the students needs are meet" etc.. The problem with that is, it's not fair to the hard working students. How would you feel "if you were following the rules and policies and some of your classmates were not? You have to look at respiratory therapy as one profession under one board. After you complete the program you must pass your entry level exam (CRT) then your registerd exam (RRT) which consist of two exams a written and a clinical smuliations exam. Yeah some of the students pass (CRT) first attempt, but the (RRT) exam students are not even prepared for it. A_____ could careless they got their money $32.000. Go to Gateway Community College cost $9.000 and the pass rate for their students (CRT) & (RRT) is around 90-92% first attempt.

Wow!

I have just recently moved back to AZ from L.A. to go to school and finish my RT. I have toured both Apollo, kaplan, and Gateway. After reading your post i am very compelled to attend Gateway CC. I have taken into consideration that these private schools are indeed BUSINESSES and can be motivated negatively by money. So with your testament it has reinforced my decision to attend GWCC. I am happy to hear of the academic success percentage per the success of students passing their tests.

I have a question for you regarding obtaining employment and the difficulty you may have experienced after completing your schooling.
Regards,
Daniel

bp1987 in Chattanooga, Tennessee said: i am in my fourth semester in the respiratory care program. I have a two year old little girl, a job, and go to school full-time in chattanooga Tn. I go to school monday though wednesday from 11:00 A.m till 8:45 P.m. And i am currently carrying a 4.0 So for everyone who is worried about passing and worried about how hard the classes are..... you can do it! it will definately pay off in the end. i know with as busy as i am and can carry good grades and only be 21 years old with all that stress... yea it takes time and dedication. And i hate being gone from my daughter, i truly do, but i know thatim doing this to better our lives and never have to worry about money. Having a child does not end your life or delay your goals, it only pushes you to want more. :)

I was wondering, with RT is there a lot of drawing blood or needles? I'm terrified of sticking someone wrong!

I Agree! I am a new grad and i got my RRT after 7 months still don't have job. I live in houston, texas and I almost applied every where like in houston medical center hospitals, LTAC hospitals and no calls from any one or rejected my application. I know that nobody wants to higher a new graduate without any experience and because of their budget. Without giving a job how the new grad RT's will get experience.

houston job market is forzen..........

I encourge people to do NURSING. There lot of job opportunities that avaliable for nursing in such different area...........

RRT NEW GRAD

justinkuttan1 in Houston, Texas said: I Agree! I am a new grad and i got my RRT after 7 months still don't have job. I live in houston, texas and I almost applied every where like in houston medical center hospitals, LTAC hospitals and no calls from any one or rejected my application. I know that nobody wants to higher a new graduate without any experience and because of their budget. Without giving a job how the new grad RT's will get experience.

houston job market is forzen..........

I encourge people to do NURSING. There lot of job opportunities that avaliable for nursing in such different area...........

RRT NEW GRAD

Matt...You might want to read this..This person is from the Houston area

hey there in Los Angeles, California said: i just graduated eariler this year. the classes were not that hard as long as you study. i actually had fun in RT school, before i did RT i was in nursing school for about a semster i liked RT better. the only problem is i having troule trying to find a job. i live in los angeles, ca and many of the hospitals out here are hiring RT's but they want some one with experience. it has been almost 7 months and still havent found a job.

Were you able to find a job?

Guy in Monroe, Louisiana said: It depends on where you go to school. Me and my girlfriend are 6 months into our RT school and it has been very easy so far. It is a 24 month school and you are pretty much paying for your degree in most of the majors you choose. Luckily our RT program is only 9 months old and we have really good teachers. I know a lot of schools are harder than ours so I really can't say what others in your area are like. Oh and our classes don't start until 8:30 here.

What school is this?

Missy in Methuen, Massachusetts said: is RT school as hard as nursing school? Is is has hard to get into as nursing school

Don't take what many have said that Respiratory Therapy is an easy school. Now the classes Anatomy,biology, chem and such might not be difficult for many, but you have to keep in mind that if you have been accepted to the program to begin with your pretty smart already and probably had good grades all through school.
The Resp. Therapy program is one of the hardest and to ask if its harder than nursing is really not the right question.

RTs are the go to people in critical care...We assess,treat and work on protocols and in many cases physicians may come to you on what to do.

Nursing doesn't operate in this capacity. Generally a nurse doses and admisters medicine. Thats not to say there aren't advanced critical care nurses because there are. What you do when you finish school is up to you, but we as RTs learn the Cardiopulmonary system, disease, treat. Are board exams are the toughest out there. We do not take multiple choice A,B,C,or D exams. you take Multiple multiples. Like A-1&2,B 3&5,C 1,2&4 plus at the end you take a clinical sim.

We are the only ones that take exams at this level. Anyone with good grades can pass the classes, but the one that counts is Respiratory Care Essentials,procedures and this is not as easy as many think it is.

PC in Middleport, Ohio said: Don't take what many have said that Respiratory Therapy is an easy school. Now the classes Anatomy,biology, chem and such might not be difficult for many, but you have to keep in mind that if you have been accepted to the program to begin with your pretty smart already and probably had good grades all through school.
The Resp. Therapy program is one of the hardest and to ask if its harder than nursing is really not the right question.

RTs are the go to people in critical care...We assess,treat and work on protocols and in many cases physicians may come to you on what to do.

Nursing doesn't operate in this capacity. Generally a nurse doses and admisters medicine. Thats not to say there aren't advanced critical care nurses because there are. What you do when you finish school is up to you, but we as RTs learn the Cardiopulmonary system, disease, treat. Are board exams are the toughest out there. We do not take multiple choice A,B,C,or D exams. you take Multiple multiples. Like A-1&2,B 3&5,C 1,2&4 plus at the end you take a clinical sim.

We are the only ones that take exams at this level. Anyone with good grades can pass the classes, but the one that counts is Respiratory Care Essentials,procedures and this is not as easy as many think it is.

Plus you have to look at it from this perspective, nurses touch base on many different aspects of the human body, we as RT's spend two years on strictly the Cardio and Pulmonary systems. It is said that RT's know more about the cardiopulmonary system than most doctors (excluding cardiologists and pulmonologists obvioulsly), and although I'm only finishiing up my first year I can see this from the knowledge I have gained so far.

DAVE in Milford, Michigan said: TOM...WHAT SCHOOL DO YOU ATTEND?

FSU

reaching4thestars in memphis, Tennessee said:

All schools have a secured CRT, RRT written and RRT clinical exam that is manadatory by COARC; The CRT must be passed to graduate. It's not simply a Concorde policy. Also, all schools have limited seating if a term is failed. Your 27 grand does not in anyway guarentee you pass and become a RT or even get the oppurtunity to repeat a term. One thing that Concorde does do is allow remediation tests (which in my opionion is ridiculous). You literally get 3 chances at every exam (they tell you 2 but their corporate policy is actually 3). I am a former instructor there and can attest to the poor program structure and student selection of the program.

PC in Middleport, Ohio said: Don't take what many have said that Respiratory Therapy is an easy school. Now the classes Anatomy,biology, chem and such might not be difficult for many, but you have to keep in mind that if you have been accepted to the program to begin with your pretty smart already and probably had good grades all through school.
The Resp. Therapy program is one of the hardest and to ask if its harder than nursing is really not the right question.

RTs are the go to people in critical care...We assess,treat and work on protocols and in many cases physicians may come to you on what to do.

Nursing doesn't operate in this capacity. Generally a nurse doses and admisters medicine. Thats not to say there aren't advanced critical care nurses because there are. What you do when you finish school is up to you, but we as RTs learn the Cardiopulmonary system, disease, treat. Are board exams are the toughest out there. We do not take multiple choice A,B,C,or D exams. you take Multiple multiples. Like A-1&2,B 3&5,C 1,2&4 plus at the end you take a clinical sim.

We are the only ones that take exams at this level. Anyone with good grades can pass the classes, but the one that counts is Respiratory Care Essentials,procedures and this is not as easy as many think it is.

Thank you for this information. I have a history in healthcare as a nursing assistant. I would love to learn something more in depth. I am now in school for Health Information Technology and the further I get the more I see that it is not for me. I am thinking about changing my major to RT. In the area that I live in, there is a 100% pass rate and 100% job placement.