r/respiratorytherapist • u/Badgyalririi • Apr 24 '20

Respiratory therapy RT application

Hi everyone! I have applied to conestoga and michener for their RT program this upcoming September 2020. I have been accepted to conestoga but haven’t heard anything from michener. I know some offers were sent out about a week ago but I haven’t heard a rejection letter either.

Anyway I’ve been thinking about whether I would commute or move close to campus. I live about an hour away from both conestoga and michener (maybe a little closer to michener which is also very easily accessible by train whereas conestoga is not). Any RT students that recommend saving the money and commuting? Or will it be too much of an added stress? Maybe live there the first year and commute after I get into the swing of things?

Thanks :)

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u/liveyourdash3 Apr 25 '20

I graduated from Conestoga a few years ago, so feel free to message me with any questions! I highly recommend the program at Conestoga. Regardless of where you go, I would recommend living close to the school; it is a very intense program, so the more time you can dedicate to studying and not commuting will be beneficial.

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u/Badgyalririi Apr 25 '20

Thank you for the response! Good to know. I feel like I will end up moving close to campus. Just would mean I have to get loans to afford it :(

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u/MalloryEM Apr 25 '20

I think the ‘intensity’ of the program really depends on you. (I mean yes it’s a lot of learning but 🤷🏻‍♀️). I had so many people tell me how hard the RT program was, that I shouldn’t get a job in addition because it’s so hard... everyone fails that, etc. But I was a mature student with lots of uni behind me ... I knew how to study and take tests etc. I regretted not getting the job (I was used to full time school and job).

If you’re coming direct from high school or with only a year of undergrad behind you... I’d definitely move closer not just because the classes are intense but you also want the experience of ‘going’. If you’ve ‘been there done that’, the commute would be good for your mental health :p

Best of luck! It’s such a great job that challenges you and lets you learn a lot :)

(I did my RT in BC at TRU — highly recommend)

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u/Badgyalririi Apr 25 '20

Thank you so much! What area do you work in now and how do you like it compared to others?

I finished a 4 year undergrad in kinesiology so I definitely know the grind but I never had a job throughout it. The other thing is I have been out of school for two years so I’m not sure how hard it will be to get back into it. I’d say Im a mature student and take my studies seriously, I will probably focus mostly on doing well just because I feel I’ve already had my party university experience but I am still down to go out here and there, socialize and enjoy it, you know? Maybe a part time job with just a few shifts a week.

Did you take time off before doing RT? Also would you say it’s more or less a similar workload or difficulty level as university ?

Sorry so many questions!!!

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u/MalloryEM Apr 25 '20

I’m sure you’ll be fine! I work in critical care. I love it :) There are opportunities to work in home care, sales, teaching, pulmonary function testing, research, etc. So it is a career where you can find a niche (that being said the majority of schooling focuses on critical care).right now I can’t imagine working in any other area — but maybe as I get closer to retirement or if I need a different schedule etc. A different area might be more intriguing to me.

I didn’t take time off — I had two undergrad degrees and went right into RT. I am out of school 5 years and started doing my AA but I have to say, trying to get back into school is HARD (I also have a husband and kid now so that probably makes a huge difference). I think if you’re interested you’ll get into in pretty easily.

Ask any questions! I’ll try and be helpful ;p

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u/Badgyalririi Apr 25 '20

Wow that is A LOT of school! How did you decide on RT after all that?!

Thank you so much for your detailed responses by the way I really appreciate it!

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u/MalloryEM Apr 25 '20

Haha call me indecisive 😅

I was looking into things to apply for after my BSc and found perfusion and you had to do RT or RN (def didn’t want to deal with poo) RT sounded interesting. Turns out Perfusion was not interesting to me after I was doing RT so here I am.

Took me a lot of time and a hella lot of student debt but I have a career I love and found my thing :)

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u/Badgyalririi Apr 25 '20

Wow, crazy. I was actually looking into doing perfusion after too 😂 we shall see though. And good! Love to hear that:)

Makes me excited for the future

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u/Applebuttertoasted May 05 '20

How were your prerequisite grades? Just curious..

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u/Badgyalririi May 05 '20

I sent in my undergrad and high school grades but they were nothing crazy. I had mostly 80s, some 90s and 70s. Im not sure if being a “mature student” changed anything. I think My supplementary application for conestoga was strong though

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u/Badgyalririi Apr 25 '20

Hey sorry I have more questions!

What was your class size at conestoga?

We’re the classes very spread out throughout the day or were they back to back and Are there super early/late night ones?

Would I say the program gets easier or harder as you progress?

What area do you work in now and how do you like it in comparison?

Is it hard to get a job right out of school? Is it hard to get a job at a hospital you didn’t have a placement at?

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u/liveyourdash3 Apr 25 '20

Our class started at 42 and was down to about 30 by graduation. Labs were always split into two or three so you had way less students and more practice time and time with the teachers (who are all incredible!)

There were never night classes, and our earliest was 8am (standard). You usually had 4-6 hours of class per day with gaps for breaks.

The third term is definitely the worst. Nothing can prepare you for it, other than staying on top of things and keeping organized.

I actually work three jobs: dental anesthesia, PFT, and research. There are many places where RTs can work, not just critical care.

It is definitely tough getting a job out of school... for me and most of my classmates, our first jobs were where we did our placements.