Finding My Place In The Respiratory World : Career Development

Seeking Help on Asthma Care

Kevin Johnson — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:50:00 GMT

As I mentioned a few blogs ago, I am currently taking a prep course with the goal of obtaining my Asthma Educator credential. I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to do this, as the hospital I work for is footing the bill, and have no doubts...(read more)

Plotting a Course for an Evolving Career

Kevin Johnson — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:17:00 GMT

It has been almost two years now since I graduated school and became a respiratory therapist. Which means it has been almost two years since I have studied something with the goal of testing towards an advancement in my education/career/life. It seems...(read more)

The Shakes

Kevin Johnson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:46:00 GMT

When I am nervous my hands shake. I try to hide it, and have learned to steady myself down to a light tremor, but I just can't shake the shakes. I pride myself on remaining calm in a high-pressure situation: a code, a bad baby, etc., but my hands indicate...(read more)

A Quality Stethoscope

Kevin Johnson — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:43:00 GMT

A doc told me once, "Every good RT always has a stethoscope, a pulse ox and a Christmas tree on them at all times." Now I don't subscribe to the Christmas tree theory; there are Christmas trees on nearly every flow meter in our hospital and I prefer to...(read more)

Respiratory Career Takes Flight, Literally

Kevin Johnson — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:40:00 GMT

So there I was finishing up the last few treatments of an otherwise un-notable Friday shift when I get a stat call to a patient room where a flight crew is trying to set up their bipap on a patient who is to be transferred to another facility for respiratory...(read more)

Flu Shot?

Kevin Johnson — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Every healthcare worker in America is aware of the fact we are in the midst of one of the worse flu seasons in years. My small community in Kansas has not been exempt. Between the flu and RSV I have worn more masks and PPE garb, and have subsequently...(read more)

Capstone BSRT Project Looms

Brent Holland — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:23:00 GMT

As I enter my final semester for the BSRT program through the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the only class I have is the dreaded RESP 4111 (Capstone Project). Up until yesterday I was really undecided on what project I wanted to undertake...(read more)

Taking the NBRC Neonatal and Pediatric Exam... Try III

Brent Holland — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:26:00 GMT

As I make the long, 4 hour drive from Key West to Miami to again sit for the NBRC's Neonatal and Pediatric exam, I tell myself that this time will be different. No matter what the outcome, I am done. I will not allow myself to throw good money after bad...(read more)

A Respiratory Voice to Be Heard

Kevin Johnson — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:12:00 GMT

In the airport waiting to fly home from Chicago, I reflected on the conference I attended for work on software that my hospital uses. It was an educational seminar mostly populated with IT people, business office people and RNs. I was one of two RTs....(read more)

Is the National Conference Worth it?

Brent Holland — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:09:00 GMT

I am neurotic when it comes to collecting CEU credits. In the 13 months that I have been licensed, I have accrued 503 Continuing Education Hours. As I sit here at the Suncoast Pulmonary Symposium in Ft. Myers, I feel as though I must follow up on a post...(read more)

Respiratory Therapist on the Road

Kevin Johnson — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:19:00 GMT

Today is my last day of floor work before I officially launch on a country spanning tour de work...That's right, l am going on my first work trip! I will leave tomorrow and travel an hour and a half for an all-day cardiac rehab class. This might not seem...(read more)

Why Don't Respiratory Therapists Get ACLS, PALS, and NRP Certified?

Brent Holland — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:33:00 GMT

After my last blog on why we need one standard for the respiratory profession's future sparked such debate, I wanted to touch on another hot topic: What are your thoughts on ACLS, PALS, and NRP? I am very curious to see if we can continue to explore this...(read more)

CRT vs. RRT: One Standard Needed for Profession's Future

Brent Holland — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:51:00 GMT

Being a dedicated member of the AARC, I find myself logging in to AARConnect on a near daily basis. While last year I was a member of every single specialty section, when I renewed this year I cut it down to just the Education, Management, and Adult Acute...(read more)

Happy Bi(RT)hday To Me...

Kevin Johnson — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:42:00 GMT

As of June 6, I officially have been an RRT for one year. What does this mean? A nurse practitioner I know told me shortly after I passed my boards that all passing your boards means is that, "a licensing agency believes you are just competent enough...(read more)

NPS Exam: Strike 2

Brent Holland — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:55:00 GMT

When I show up at H&R Block office to make my second attempt at passing the NBRC's Neonatal & Pediatric Specialty exam, I again have this sinking feeling in my stomach that I am not ready. Once the test begins, I know it is true. Just like last...(read more)