Why is “Respiratory Therapy” overlooked as a career??
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 tha
In my town of 2 hospitals (aprox 700 bed in total) there are close to 100 hospital based RTs not counting the sleep labs, PFT labs and Hyperbaric chambers. I am one of a few who works in a doctors office. RTs have a strong influence here in Missouri. It is my opinion that RT is not as visible as a career because of the lack of representation in Washington. As of now, RTs are not very well reimbursed by Medicare and private insurance. RTs are considered “added value” to the healthcare system. If you compare RT to PT, you will find that to be a PT you HAVE to be part of their professional organization. RT, it’s a choice and more than half do not participate. This equals less voice in Washington for the RT profession. This could change soon. Senate bill S 2704 will permit respiratory therapists with an RRT credential and bachelor’s degree to furnish respiratory therapy services without the physician having to be physically present at the time the service is being rendered. This means flex
