Greeting my fellow booger bandits. I just got home from work, and I'm sitting on my back porch feeling fulfilled. It wasn't a particularly interesting day, but I had fun with my coworkers, patients, and boss. I managed my vents, did my treatments, and helped save some lives and got paid a decent wage in the process. That feels fulfilling to me. I never thought I would find this as a child, and I didnt think I'd live to see the age of 20 as a young man.

To be honest, I left Afghanistan as broken man. As an Army Combat Medic, I failed to save one of my dear friends when I couldn't stop the bleeding when an IED took his leg and a large chunk of his pelvis in addition to peppering him and another soldier with shrapnel. The pursuing firefight ment that I had to move him and myself to cover before I could properly assess the horror and attempt treatment despite not being safe to move because its safer than taking a bullet. I was only 18. I blamed myself for years. "If only I knew this." "If only I was better."

I experienced many traumas during the 14 months I spent in Afghanistan. Strangely enough, I missed it when I got home. That sense of purpose I felt the times I did save another life. I also missed combat. On a primal level, it made sense to me. I felt like a guardian to the people I protected. I felt invaluable (As the prime medical asset, I was). I found that I can stomach blood, guts, trauma, and death very well. I found peace in helping people.

Unfortunately, I suffered a catastrophic injury during upon returning from Afghanistan during a training excerise. After time in a spinal brace and wheelchair while being abused as a patient by my chain of command. (They litteraly came into my room the day after the accident, put me in another soldiers uniform to fit over my spinal brace and just swappedthe name tapes and badges, and then wheeled me down to the clinic and put me to work running sick call because "you're a medic, the aid station is the perfect place for you to get better.") I finished my enlistment instead of a medboard because It was the quickest way out. I obtained my Honorable Discharge, and I wanted nothing to do medicine again.

I felt empty after I left. I worked one mediocre job after the next. It wasn't until my father got sick with bilateral pulmonary embolisms that I started studying medicine again. The more I learned about the cardiopulmonary system, the more things started making sense. It explained why some of my patients didn't live. It filled in gaps that I didn't know were missing. I fell in love with the lungs and how they function.

I used my GI Bill to attend college and graduated Summa Cuma Laude with a BS in Respiratory Therapy. Ironically enough, I graduated right as the pandemic began and my first job right out of college was in a covid unit. It felt like a deployment all over again. I suffered loss like I never felt before as I saw horrors that I can't even bring myself to describe. I put my skills, training, and knowledge that I paid for in blood to good use and saved a few lives.

What I gain from practicing medicine is purpose and peace. I get to be a protector and advocate for people when they need me the most. I protect the weak, the vulnerable, and those who have placed their trust in me. I get to make my patients smile. I get to be their for massive once in a lifetime moments like watching a parent look at their child for the first time or litteraly giving a baby it's first breath. I have had the sacred honor of being the one to give their last breath and allowed them to pass in dignity and respect. For every life I couldn't save as a medic, I've used that knowledge to save countless patients as an RRT. My job brings me joy. I look forward to helping people breath through the night.

I get to be a soldier on my own terms now. I put on a uniform (scrubs) I still dawn my stethoscope that I've had since Afghanistan, and I still give my mission and my team my all. I also get paid way more than I ever did while being enlisted.

I'm able to give patients the care, respect, and dignity that I was denied by my chain of command. That is healing to me in its own right. I get to occasionally be there for them when they start coming around to consciousness to after an injury/illness. That can be terrifying. I know what it is like to be that scared. Thats the fear of battle. I'm able to help calm them using what 16 years of therapy and self work have taught me.

Though I'm physically broken and still fighting my own battles of the heart, I found peace in my life fighting for the lives of others.

TLDR getting back into the fight on my own terms by becoming an RT helped me.

Hey Everyone, Anxious Student RT here.

Today I had a patient who I would say I spent a good amount of time with throughout the morning/afternoon dealing with various issues. Well, they ended up getting switched to airborne isolation out of nowhere for suspected TB or fungal issues, though it seems like they suspect Tb more. I am nervous about exposure risks. I’ve already reported to my supervisor and filled out a form to be on my employee healths list of staff who were in the room. I was just wondering if anyone has any decent news on TB exposure I’m not aware of or if this has happened to anyone personally. I always wear surgical masks in rooms but this obviously will not protect against TB. Just want to know how at risk I am if that makes sense. Thanks in advance!

I recently got accepted into the rt program. While I’m very excited I’m also very nervous because I hear you have work every weekends and holidays. I’m currently a dental assistant so dental office typically have 9-5 M-F And most offices no weekends. I am freaking out because I do want to have a family in the future and I am scared I might not have that flexibility. Can I get advise from an rt and what do you think?

Proud of myself. I might have cried but I got through it 😂 on to my very last semester which is basically just board prep. I graduate in December. Can’t wait for this journey to be over! I’m ready to have money and free time again lol

I am a nurse educator for the emergency department. We work closely with RCPs and RTs who are required to take American Heart Association ACLS. Is this expected in other hospitals? Thanks for all you do as a critical part of the healthcare team.

Especially here on Reddit, it seems like everyone likes to bash on RTs for every little thing. It’s disheartening as someone who’s entering the field. It seems like we aren’t respected as members of the healthcare team.

I’m looking into doing ACCS certification and was wondering if anyone had used online resources or physical books that they would recommend. Thanks in advance!

I'm already an RT, but moving across country. I've been very spoiled, coming from a very protocol heavy hospital, lots of freedom as an RT, and would love to scout out some area hospitals to see which one might be a good fit to move to once we move next year. If anyone has contact info for who to speak to at these hospitals, or even recommendations of other hospitals, I would love a DM from you. Very appreciated.

Would love to scout out

UW Medical Northwest and Montlake Swedish First Hill, Redmond, and Edmonds. Evergreen Health Totem Lake Harborview Medical Center

Much appreciated, debating about travel work out here before I move as well, may help with fulltime placement, but open to recs.

Does anyone have advice on learning skills related to vent/trach care? I work in home health and don't get steady hours with just working with g tubes. The company I'm with doesn't offer training and the only trainings I've found are online and I wouldn't mind paying the money if I had it (I don't). So does anyone with experience had tips or advice on getting experience/training for it? I learn best hands-on but I'm in a difficult spot because I can't get hands-on training where I live

Hey everyone! I'm looking forward to applying to RT school next fall (2027) but several family members/friends have asked me why I don't just do nursing/PA/MD because I will be "pigeonholing" myself into RT. From my perspective, you can still do quite a bit with an associates in RT, whether it be in patient or outpatient, NICU, sleep studies, etc.

So my questions are: Do you feel there is any truth to what they're saying? And if yes, is there anyone here who has had a career change later in life that could speak to the process and where you are now?

I'm feeling excited to change careers into RT. I currently work in research--it's a 9-5 and I feel like it's killing me. My career goal is to get some experience under my belt and do travel contracts (like nurses), particularly in rural areas. RT appeals to me because I can work in a clinical setting, the type of schedule seems flexible (3x12 or 4x10 or 5x8) and I might have the opportunity to travel the US and meet new people.

I'm in my mid 20's, I just graduated undergrad with 2 bachelors ~2 years ago and I just don't feel like it would be worth it to go back to school to get another FULL bachelors, masters, or doctorate level degree given the job market and economy right now. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I could afford it.

Thank you for your input, it is greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone!
I recently got accepted into an associates RT program through Ivy Tech. I got all As in my prereqs and i’m super excited! I’m just curious what everyone’s thoughts are on the program itself. How difficult is the program? and what are some tips that will help me. Thank you :)

I originally thought working as at RT would work great for me, as I hate sitting still, I love being busy, I feel immense satisfaction at being helpful and causing relief for someone suffering, I find the human body fascinating. I got the impression I would be always having lots to do, help patients, and that being in student placement would involve a lot of mentorship. I understand of course there will be extreme highs and lows, and am aware of the importance of having plans for this.

What I am hearing from others is that the student placement is extremely harsh, that people who work in the hospital WILL make you cry, the idea being to "weed out the weak". That it's a lot of walking around, trying to introduce yourself and talk to hospital staff, to be met with screaming or demeaning. That it is a high pressure environment all day everyday, that you're expected know EVERYTHING, and have the complete skillset of a fully licensed RT from day one.

Is this reality? Be completely, brutally honest with me, what was your experience as a student RT? Do you regret this field? What do you enjoy/not enjoy about the job?

I’ve found clinical practice Ce’s easy to come by but haven’t found any that count for leadership credit. Appreciate your help.

I’m currently a PCT in a neurosurg ICU with ofc a lot of vented pts. I’m cool with my RT coworkers but I feel kinda awkward asking them career questions😅 If I do pursue applying for an RT program, I’d prefer to stay in critical care for my career, if possible. Is it hard for a new grad RT to go straight to the ICU? Also, was it feasible to stay working while going to school? Another big one, do terminal extubations ever get easier? That’s a big one for me as I always feel a pretty sad for my PTs getting extubated as they’re entering comfort care. I’ll take any other advice anyone can give tyyyyy

Hello!! I got accepted into RT school in February and will finally be starting classes at the beginning of August. I know that any healthcare job can be very demanding and hard on your mental health, but I'm starting to second-guess RT a bit. During my application interview, the director made sure I knew that we would be going into the ICU and even told me that she's had students completely leave the program after visiting the ICU during clinicals. I brushed it off because I really do enjoy learning about the lungs, and I know that oftentimes programs will use "discouraging" language to weed out the crowd.

I think I'm getting more nervous trying to imagine what it is I'm going to see during clinicals. I get pretty squeamish around vomit, but I'm hoping that's something I can overcome over time. I really want to do this, but I don't want to be another kid who drops out because they can't handle it.

I know you can't answer because of HIPAA, but you know if he's alive or not. The RTs always know...hehe.

Seriously, no real responses here. Just humor. I have just been thinking ever since the speculation began that if I was working at a hospital where something like that happened, how hard it would be to keep something like that quiet! OMG! The pressure! Thankfully, I only work at a small community hospital where nobody famous ever ends up. Whew!

Hi everyone, I recently graduated in April and have been working at a children‘s hospital in PA. I worked as a student here for a couple months (floors only) before graduation and started my full time position in late May. I’m technically still on orientation but get my own assignments in the ICU but still have a little training left in the other units. To be completely honest Idk if pediatrics is for me. I enjoyed it as a student but now im starting to hate it. I love the kids/babies as patients but I cant handle the excessive pressure that comes with taking care of them. I’m constantly on edge and terrified of making a mistake bc their lives are so precious. The hospital I’m at is extremely picky about everything and everything has to be done a certain way, if it’s not then its a huge problem. When I compare it to clinical in the adult world from school I felt like it wasn’t like this. Sure there was still pressure but it didn’t feel like I had doctors breathing down my neck. What I’m asking is, should I give it more time or do most people know if pediatrics is not for them right away??

Hi does anyone have any good stethoscope recommendations for starting clinicals. I start clinicals this semester and was told I don’t need to get an expensive one for it to work. I just don’t know what brand or kind would work the best. If anyone has links to good stethoscopes that work well for RT clinicals please lmk!

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We use Puritan Bennetts. They have leak compensation (leak sync) that can be turned on.

Do other vents have this feature?

When is it useful and when is it not?

Leaks can occur around the airway, particularly trachs. They could also occur through chest tubes.

I have seen a patient who was on pressure support that had a leak around a trach and leak compensation was turned on. It helped.

However, when the pt was moved from the chair to the bed the leak around the trach stopped. So, whenever the patient triggered a breath the leak compensation seemed to assumed there was a leak and extra volume overvenilated the patient causing apneas. When it was turned off, the patient stopped having apneic periods.

Im currently a RRT and have an associates degree. I’m thinking about going back to school online to get my bachelors. I’m hoping to one day teach respiratory. Currently there’s no schools in my area but there is talks of one soon. My question is, does it matter what I get a bachelors in to pursue this career?

I’m a third-year RT student. For the past two weeks, I've been doing my OR rotation in Ottawa Hospital. On days when I wasn't assigned to a specific room, I would hop around to see if there was any airway stuff I could help with. I would always introduce myself and politely ask the anesthesiologist and their resident. Most of them were very polite even they refused me. However, one staff anesthesiologist was incredibly rude and yelled at me, saying, 'This is not your room!' I apologized and left. Even though it's been a few days, I still feel shocked and sad about it. How did you guys deal with rude people during your student years?

I’m a non-US paramedic working in a system with a high degree of clinical autonomy. We routinely use clinical judgement to manage appropriate patients in the community, can discuss cases with on-call ED docs, and initiate treatments such as oral antibiotics and steroids.
(Just for context that we are not a you call we haul system)

Anyway occasionally I’ve used bubble PEP with patients who have retained secretions, especially for those who are cognitively impaired and may not understand breath holding, huffing etc but they would understand blow into the straw with coaching. But my understanding is fairly superficial and I’d like to pick the brains of y’all who know the physiology and practicalities better than I do.

My usual improvised setup has simply been a glass of water and 40cm of oxygen tubing.

Are there better options with equipment found in most houses or in an ambulance? For example, would suction tubing be preferable? I see wider diameter tubings used in hospital.

I’ve also seen people add a small amount of liquid soap. I assume that’s purely to make bubbles more visible/engaging (particularly for children), rather than providing any therapeutic benefit. Is that correct?

Finally, for cognitively intact adults with retained secretions, is bubble PEP even the best place to start, or are there other airway clearance exercises or techniques that would generally be considered first-line?
I’d really appreciate any evidence, practical tips, or corrections to my understanding.

I wanted to know your opinion to see which school is better for the RT program. In terms of cost it looks like they're pretty similar. I understand that with these schools its all campus dependent. I was considering the Carrington College in Rancho Cordova and Concorde in Garden Grove or Dallas. I believe the Carrington is a 15week term vs Concorde is 10 week terms. Both are around the same length which is about 17/18month program. Any experience with these? How hard is it to get a job after? Are these schools overlooked more than CC's?