Pros & Cons of being a Respiratory Therapist 🫁
I absolutely love my job
PROS ✅
✨Getting to work all over the hospital in all of the units. (ED, MS, ICU, NICU) so you don’t have to pick a unit or specialty!!
✨ Get to see many patients throughout your shift (I usually have 10 patients a shift)
✨ Short amount of schooling for good pay. RT school is 2 years and as a new grad i make around $35/hour
✨ Private workspace. Unlike nursing, RTs get their own department that’s not on the unit which I love
✨ Every day is different! You never know what you’re gunna get each day! One minute you could be giving someone their inhaler and the next you can be coding/intubating!
CONS ❌
✨ Slightly less pay than nursing
✨ Less room for growth. Nursing has more opportunity to move out of inpatient care whereas RTs don’t have many options besides in-hospital care.
Becoming a respiratory therapist (RT) involves unique responsibilities and opportunities. RTs are vital in various healthcare settings, offering support in emergency departments (ED), intensive care units (ICU), and pediatric care (NICU). Yet, while the profession provides ample patient interaction and a dynamic work environment, it lacks certain career advancement paths compared to nursing. Potential job seekers may find the short 2-year schooling period appealing, especially given the competitive starting pay of around $35/hour. However, prospective RTs should also consider the financial aspect, as salaries are generally lower than nursing, and career growth could be more limited. With increasing emphasis on respiratory health, especially post-pandemic, the need for skilled therapists has risen, potentially opening more doors for specialization or advanced practice roles in the future. Networking, continuing education, and gaining diverse clinical experience can significantly enhance career progression for aspiring RTs. Overall, the choice to enter this field should balance personal passion for patient care with an analysis of long-term professional aspirations.