Find solution
What can I do to further my career in respiratory therapy?

Why is "Respiratory Therapy" overlooked as a career?

  • How can it be promoted so that more high school students learn the benefits to being a respiratory therapist (RT)?

  • Answer:

    You are correct in stating that a career in respiratory therapy is being overlooked and not as widely publicised as a career in nursing. There are other good non-nursing health careers that are out there. But you never hear about them because the big emphsis is placed on the shortage of nurses. I am getting ready to enter a dental hygienists program near me. In my decision making process, I kept being bombarded with "Why are you not going into nursing" all of the time. Even in some of the questions on here, I have seen an overwhelming negativity towards any career that is not nursing. While I check into nursing, I did not limit myself to only nursing- I also looked into becoming a rad tech, respiratory therapist and a dental hygienist. What I did find out that one of the reasons that nursing is promoted over other health service careers is that almost every community college has a nursing program. Most of your universities will offer the BSN an masters programs too. I am not saying that it is easy to get into these programs, but rather comparing the number of schools that offer these types of programs. In my area out of 6 local community colleges (in a fifty mile radius) here is how the breakdown of health service careers comes in: Nursing: 6 out of 6 offer this program Radiological Technologist: 4 out of 6 offer this program Respiratory Therapy: 3 out of 6 offer this program Dental Hygienist: 2 out of 6 offer this program It is easy to see why nursing is being pushed in my area and in some cases the other careers are either briefly mentioned or left out of the discussions- because the programs are not offered. Hope this helps.

LMPUHP6MLLSWWAWEQMFLDJ2PRE at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I don't know ,but it is such an important and well used career. Maybe the lung association, could do more to promote the need for good repiratory therapists. You could do everything possible to promote it by word of mouth. My husband has an occupational lung disease, so I personally know of its importance to people. God bless you for your interest in this profession.

toocoolringlady

My sister in law is a resp therapist, and she must undergo testing periodically just like nurses. But because this particular job is a specialty, they get paid quite well. I would definitely list the many careers affiliated with a hospital, such as this one, list the years of schooling required, the ongoing hours of class time required every year, and the pay rates. This career doesn't required a 4 year degree, as of present.

anaise

It isn`t overlooked. I work with them , but many have animosity towards RN`s because we have many more responsibilities and get paid better. They usually sit in their break room while we do all the suctioning and trach care.

sammy b

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.