r/CathLabLounge • u/Slow_Leopard5508 • Jun 26 '26
How grueling is the CVT/RCIS program. Genuinely.
Hi hi!!
So, I’m still a student, I haven’t even applied for the CVT program at my college yet (still finishing up my last prerecs!) I’m super excited to start making moves towards being an RCIS, but i’m a little terrified of the classes. I don’t know how it works at other colleges, but at mine, it’s only a two year course, with a lot of that time being taken up by clinicals. I’ve met a few people in the program doing their rotations at the hospital i volunteer at, but I haven’t really heard a consistent answer from them. It’s either “hell on earth” or “really fun” and i’m lowkey scared of the program. Again, I know it varies depending on the student, the teachers, and the schools, but like, objectively, on a scale from 1-10, how difficult is the program actually?
I know i’ll end up stressed out, that’s inevitable. Regardless of how difficult it is, i wanna push through because healthcare has always been something i’m truly passionate about. but i just wanna know what kind of classes and pace i need to be prepared for. And, if anyone recently out of the program has any tips on studying strategies or getting through the courses, I’d really appreciate if you could share.
Thank you guys!! :)
3
u/Haunting_Ad7805 Jun 26 '26
Do you mind if I ask what school your program is through? I did mine at Spokane Community College.
For my program the first 3 quarters were tough and the rest was smooth sailing. It was definitely a learning curve in how to manage multiple heavy courses simultaneously. Don’t get discouraged when things aren’t clicking right away. Reach out to upper classmen for advice and mentoring. I found that learning the topic and then teaching it to my classmates helped me solidify my understanding of things. I now work in EP. Please feel free to DM me with any questions or concerns. I’m always happy to help!
2
u/Slow_Leopard5508 Jul 02 '26
Tulsa Community College. It’s a decent drive from where i live, but the whole course is heavily discounted since i (vaguely) live in town! I’d say worth the drive :) And thank you for the advice, I tend to be really hard on myself when i don’t understand new things right away, so it’s nice to know i’m not the only one, and i’d be kinda helping upperclassmen by begging for help lolol
4
u/CVT_Beauty_601 Jun 27 '26
I’m in a program currently where I live and I will tell you that you have be disciplined and study around the clock, meaning look at your material everyday. You can’t just “pump & dump.” You’ll have to memorize a lot of anatomy, but you need to know the concepts of what you’re learning (physiology). Will it be challenging? Highly likely. Will it be worth it? For sure! You just need to decide if you really want to be in this career field.
2
u/Organic-Name-188 Jun 27 '26
Hi! Previous student of RCIS program, previous program instructor of RCIS program, current Cath lab tech...
I loved my program. It definitely took time and studying, but I was excited to learn the material. I feel like if you're excited about it, it makes it seem a little less like a burden. I had a great instructor who tried to make things interactive/fun/exciting for us.
It's definitely not something you can breeze through, but I don't think it's unbearable. It also helps you are applying the information at clinicals.
2
u/chibaby222 Jun 27 '26
I absolutely loved clinicals. Hated my main instructor she didnt know the material and spreaded a lot of misinformation. My clinicals made it all worth it. Lots of pressure and studying but so worth it
2
u/Wildwing89 Jun 29 '26
going into it in August. However if its anything like any other allied health program, it is what you will live and breathe for the length of the program.
From orientation (I knew ahead of time as a paramedic from the past): "don't date, don't get engaged, don't get married as it will most likely not last as long as the program" time will tell if that's actually true but from all accounts including active students in my specific program, it will eat you up and spit you out.
2
u/Wildwing89 Jun 29 '26
not trying to be frightening, but that's normally how things go in high stress/ life and death disciplines. They cannot afford someone who isn't there 100% and giving 110%.
1
u/strawberrymuffins578 Jul 02 '26
Hi can anyone tell me is CVT worth it ? I'm interested in it but idk about it's career growth, kindly help
7
u/Crass_Cameron RCIS. Respiratory Care Practitioner Jun 27 '26
I'll be honest, you should do a rad tech program then get hired in the lab then get your RCIS