Respiratory Views: Forums

Anyone knows where is a demand for new grads in the US?

Sandy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:45:43 GMT

I reside in CA, but would like to relocation after graduation. I'm not sure what the pay range is for any state, but if any of you know some information I greatly appreciate it. I'm graduating 6/10.

Current Sarary for New RT's?

Lisa Goodstein — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:53:28 GMT

I'm currently in a respiratory program in South Jersey. I was accepted into an Lpn program, but changed my mind. I felt the profession was under-payed and over worked! My only concern about respiratory is the job availability, with the current job market. What type of salary can new RT's expect? I know respiratory isn't as common as nursing, some people aren't even familiar w/ their scope of practice. I hope to get accepted into UMDNJ after I complete the pre-professional phase of the program. Any comments or advice appreciated. Thank you!

Respiratory Care as a Profession

David Kissin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:18:56 GMT

In this day and age of collaborative practice and evidence-based

medicine, it is imperative that a culture change occurs in medicine. Many

institutions already rely on the expertice of Respiratory Care

Practitioners and what they bring to the patient care plan, while others

remain in the medical "Dark Ages" of physician-directed manipulations

without input from other care givers, respiratory therapists in particular.

Therapist-driven protocols have been proven as key tools for patient care

expediting recovery, decreasing length-of-stay and saving health care

costs. Many studies have been done to prove the efficacy of

therapist-driven protocols and demonstrate savings in man-hours and

healthcare costs. Some remain unconvinced and this reality has had a

difficult time finding its way into many health care facilities.

How does one change the "old school" philosophy and convince those

"die hards" that therapist-driven protocols are the only really feasible

way to treat patients? Where does one start when they are faced with this

situation? As a caregiver at a teaching hospital, I try to instill these

ideas into the careplans of the physicians-in-training, so that it becomes

a routine expectation when they begin their own practices. At times, these

attempts are thwarted by the overseeing physicians, however.

We must unite to change this culture and promote our profession as

just that; a profession of clinical experts, an integral part of the

patient care, multidisciplinary team.

Free CE courses

Michelle Abrams — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:47:39 GMT

I'm looking for free sites to Continuing Education courses, thank you

NBRC ruins my life- need help from fellow therapists

Jennifer Raymond-Setinek — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:03:51 GMT

Hi, I am a former RRT, having just lost my credentials and my job because of the new NBRC CEU program/laws. I graduated with honors in my RRT eligible program, took the CRT one month out of school, and a year later I took the RRT on my own. (I was a firm believer in being at the top of our field, constantly looking to better myself as a therapist). The NBRC apparently enacted the CEU program (they don't call them CEU's, just another source of confusion) in November of 2002, and neglected to make their law clear to their new therapists. Even now, few are aware of what is required. A number of us (newly credentialed therapists) walked around asking hospital management and veteren therapists what it all meant, never getting a proper answer because the law did not apply to them. Did this mean that we had to get the NBRC CEUs in addition to out state CEUs? Why did we have an expiration date on our credentialing cards while no one else did? Even now, after having just lost everything, therapist everywhere are confused when I tell them my story. My former boss and his girlfriend are both on the Illinois Board for Respiratory Care and they had no idea about any of this when it started happening. I know that Advance magazine did an article on losing our credentials, but even the author is incorrect when she implies that there isn't much in the way of consequences to losing our NBRC credentials- because all hospitals (in my state anyhow) require those credentials to work.
	Sorry... I'm taking up soooo much space telling this story!! I digress. My credentials expired on June 30th of this year. I recieved ONE rather ambiguous postcard from the NBRC, although they insist that they sent out a postcard one year ago also. Can anyone tell me why they couldn't spend 40 cents to mail out a LETTER instead of a postcard, given the importance of such a document?? It's as if they purposely send out a get-lost postcard to ensure that you will have to pay them the $900 to get your credentials back!!! Not knowing that my life was about to fall apart, I logged into the website EIGHT days late to type the CEUs that I already had done for the state of Illinois, only to be told that my credentials had expired. I called the NBRC to find out what was going on, and they told me that I had two years to retake these now mandatory exams, that I would have to pay close to $900 to regain my now useless credentials, and that they would report to the STate of Illinois after two years, thus losing my Respiratory license as well. (They've later recanted this last bit, they have no hold over my Illinois license.) Devestated, I reached out to all that I knew in high places (therapists on the AARC, ISRC, etc). They tried desperately to help, but the NBRC refuses to budge. Secondary to my reaching out for help from these higher ups, they became aware of my non-credentialed self and I was let go from my job. I was refused unemployment, it's my fault that I didn't keep my credentials up to date. So now, nearly six years after graduation, I am studying to retake my boards, an unemployed single mother, trying desperately to summon up the money to take my boards so that I can work again. Worse, about six months ago, I unloaded all of my respiratory books, kettering seminar stuff, and so have nothing to study from. Is there anyone out there that would be willing to help me by letting me borrow their kettering CRT book? or to sell it to me cheaply??
	I would be forever indebted!!! I was a really really good therapist (just ask any of my patients!) and this has just got to be the worst situation ever!! Everyone has to know that the punishment that the NBRC has given me for NOT TYPING IN 100 words into the computer (that's really it!!) does not match my "crime". To say that I hate the NBRC would be putting it lightly, and I will only be taking the CRT board exam (AGAIN!!), not the RRT... I refuuuuuuuse to hand over a dime more to the NBRC than absolutely necessary to get me working again. Money grubbing soul-less. Thanks for listening to this saga, please help... Jen in chicago

Getting a job after a complaint on my respiratory liscene

Holly F — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:28:05 GMT

I need help......Over 2 years ago I was subjected to a for cause drug screen. Don't know what the cause was because I was off work for 6 days. But that is not the issue. I tested positive for marjuana. It was a one time accurance. Unfortunately I had lost my job because of my choices. I suffered the rath of the state board of probation. I am off now. I have obtained my RRT while on probation as well as a job in retail as an assistant manager. I have had a child as well. I am clean . I want to get a job back in the medical field. I have lost their trust. I get interviews and get the job until they see that complaint. I need to know if any one has suggestions on regaining the trust of the medical field.

Want to help save your future and your job?

Mark Hopp — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:06:21 GMT

I've been a PT Assistant for 14 years, have a BS in Accounting and soon to have a Nursing Degree. I'm very concerned about the idea of a blanket universal health care and want to keep the same programs and improve those already in place...which has never happened. I'm concerned as a practitioner, as a son, as a citizen of this country. I've researched it and realize that Government run health care or even a "Public Option" (which will only lead to a blanket plan) has many undesirable problems and really doesn't give people "effective" access to health care. I am asking people to mail into their senators and congressmen regarding this. I have typed up a letter for you to print, sign, and mail in to them. Here are 2 websites for you to find out their address:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Do YOU value Your JOB as my representative?

Then Say "NO" to:

1) Competing Government Health Care or Public Option !

2) Socialized Medicine!

And Say "YES" to:

1) Medical Tort Reform to stop frivolous lawsuits and maintain our current system!!!

2) Requiring co-pays on all lawsuit patients to reduce the waste & return honesty to the system!!

3) Implement Hospital Pricing Transparency to create competition and reduce costs!

4) Implement programs nationwide to promote health, reduce our Obesity rate (The highest in the world)!!

5) Give Tax Credits to those that purchase insurance as incentive to purchase it!!!

Normal 0

Obesity has skyrocketed in this country and its killing us both physically and financially. Japan has one of the best health results while spending the least. They have one of the highest percentage of daily smokers and one of the lowest percentages of obesity! We are costing ourselves from eating fatty food and not exercising! We must reduce this first before we waste $trillions on our system. Its not our medical system but our society weight that is the big problem!

We already have Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid! lets work within the programs we already have and make some reform there!!!

Sincerely,

Respiratory Therapy Additional Certifications & Other Questions

Jared Scott — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:43:29 GMT

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum, and I've just been accepted into an AAS Degree for Respiratory Care Technology which begins this upcoming fall. As you can imagine, I'm both very excited and very nervous. I work closely with the RT's at my job, and I here about all of the problems of the RT world...but that doesn't matter to me. I have such a desire to become a respiratory therapist.

Basically, here is my question: What are all of the different additional specialty certifications available for RCP's? I know of the following:

Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS).
Certified in Asthma Education (AE-C)
Polysomnography Certified (RPSGT)
Respiratory Care Case Management (CCM); Not exclusive to RTs
Registered/Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT/CPFT)
Cardiac Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT); Maybe this is exclusively for Canadian resp therapists?

I am definitely interested in seeking additional cert after earning my RRT license. I know that it probably does not matter as far as salary, but I would like to know that I have taken my education a step further. This is going to sound silly, but I like to call myself a "trauma junkie" because anytime a patient crashes, I'm there until the very end. I love the adrenaline and the thought that one can play a role in life or death when it is a most critical situation. Even sillier: Is there some sort of trauma or critical care certification for RT's?

Anyways, these are my questions at the moment. I'm sure I will have more to follow. Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards,

Jared Scott

Swine Flu

Mike Bederka — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:51:50 GMT

Is your facility preparing for a swine flu pandemic? If so, how?

lLicense, state

Carolyn Zarsky — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:10:51 GMT

Who has the cheapest, easiest license's?

Loss of a fellow Respiratory Therapist/ Sleep Tech

Dawn Robinson — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:27:01 GMT

Today marks a sad day in Healthcare. Our dear friend and colleague Ed Deaver, RRT, RPFT, RPSGT of Lubbock, TX succumbed to a prolonged illness and went to be with our Lord.

He was the most dedicated therapist/sleep tech and often went out of his way to provide the best care to his patients. He was happily married and found great enjoyment in Radio Control Airplanes in his spare time, often competing and sharing his knowledge with others. He enjoyed riding motorcycles as well.

He was a husband, a teacher, a colleague, a friend..... and he will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

So today, say a prayer for him and his loved ones.....May God Bless him and his family...

volunteer work

Mike Bederka — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:18:57 GMT

What kind of volunteer work have you done to raise awareness of the respiratory field?

Any hints on how to renew interest in the profession once you've gotten fed up?

Francena Turner — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:46:29 GMT

I earned this degree and I deserve to not dread going to work . . . Any ideas?

Internship

Terry Gress — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:50:43 GMT

Looking for a Respiratory internship in Charlotte, Nc area, prefer Nicu.

Tobramycin nebulizer dosing for NICU

Sandor Johnson — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:22:45 GMT

Does anyone have any guidelines for using Toby nebs in NICU? Where I use to work we used 150 mg bid, but I can't find anything to backup this doseage. The company has not done testing in this age range.

Travel Therapist

Abrana Belcher — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:05:12 GMT

Anyone have any information/stories/advice to share with those of us who are thinking of becoming a traveler?

any one work with hypoxic altitude simulation testing?

Kristin Scruton — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:13:26 GMT

I want to initiate out-patient Hypoxic Altitude Simulation Testing at the pulmonary office associated with the hospital that I work with. I need to get in touch with a company/vendor who makes the equipment to do the testing, so that I can start the purchasing process. Does anyone work with this testing/ have the equipment/ or know of a vendor that I can reach to ask these questions?

Thanks

Kristin

Shift Work?

Joanna — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:31:23 GMT

How do you personally cope with shiftwork?

Advice for a new grad?

Joanna — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:33:19 GMT

What advice do you have for students who are graduating this year?

Seminar Test Prep

Brookie Sagala — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:22:02 GMT

I have heard of this seminar that prepares you for CRT and RRT with a promise of passing. Has anyone heard of this? Is it really that effective? I also heard it is around 400 dollars.

Thanks for any insite.

CRT / RRT Stories

Bj Smith — Mon, 26 May 2008 01:13:43 GMT

I'm going to take my CRT on June 5th for the first time. Anyone got advice for those of us stressing out about this test...

...or more interestingly, anyone have any CRT / RRT stories/nightmares?

RT Driven Protocols

Michael Haines — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:39:11 GMT

I have worked at facilities with RT driven protocols as well as those without any sort of protocol what so ever. It seems that in a lot of facilities RT's do not have the initiative required to implement protocols. Personally I hate giving q4 treatments to an asthmatic whose bronchospasm resolved three days previous; or treatments to Lung CA, TB, or Pulmonary edema (none of these produced bronchospasm directly!). I am an educator and I try to promote to my students the need for more RT intervention in patient treatment ordering, be it directly through protocols or indirectly with MD interaction. Any suggestions on how to motivate my students to be more than cookie cutter blanket therapy therapist??

Past incidents causing unjust treatment to attain license for new applicant

Jason Zahor — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:01:05 GMT

Back in 1997 I got a DUI. I was young and very immature. I blamed everybody else but me. I got my life on track, got married, had a child, and a non-satisfying career. I unfortunately made another irresponsible mistake in 2006 and got another DUI. This time I blamed nobody but me. From the moment the door went open at the police station and my wife was there to pick me up with our daughter sleeping on her lap, I knew I was never going to disappoint them again. I decided to take matters into my own hands and challenge myself to a new field, I decided to pursue Respiratory Therapy. School would be a good idea, especially not having the ability to drive for a year. I will admit it took awhile for me to warm up to the idea of me performing the taks of the RT, but it did finally kick in after about a year. I was committed. I got through school, passed my CRT on the first attempt and was ready to go. However, because of my past record of DUI, the Board of Medicine wanted to send me for an evaluation. I consented and had the evaluation, that evaluator concluded that I had no issues, no need for further treatment and recommended my status to the Board. However, the case manager for the VRP (Voluntary Recovery Program) decided that because I had an acknowledge use of alcohol that I had an impairment. He indicated that I needed to be monitored for 3 YEARS as per program in order to get a recommendation for licensure. Needless to say I am dumbfounded that past indiscepencies would be judged so harshly. I have done so much to move forward and leave the past in the past, I have found new focus, new purpose and yet I am not able to get past it.

Does anyone have any advice or just a helpful perspective on this topic, I would greatly appreciate some words from professionals in the field. By the way, I also past the written portion of my RRT exam on the first attempt! Thanks so much for this forum.

Credential

scott t. — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:36:45 GMT

Do you plan on pursuing the sleep credential?

Global Warming

Marie DeLisi — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:51:50 GMT

What is everyone doing at your hospitals to curb global warming?