Do I need a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy?

[@DrBr0b0tnik]

I love your perspective on this. I would caution those who may be looking at advanced degrees post-bacc in the realm of MLP/MD/DO, etc. No current BSRT or BS-Health science degree that I’ve come across covers any of the advance sciences or math required for those advanced programs. Plan to take 2-3 more years of pre-reqs like Gen Chem 1/2, Organic chem, physics, and at least some calculus at the very least, also keeping in mind that these are all lower division classes at most schools. So other upper division sciences and mathematics would likely be required. On the other hand, BSRT is perfect for research, management, and education as you said.

[@thetraveler1125]

That's true. But idk it seems like BSRT programs are just so varied. Like, my local RT->BSRT program can be completed part time if you just take the minimum classes needed. Which in turn allows for greater class flexibility, should one be interested in further education.

[@DrBr0b0tnik]

A. Malik Abass I agree with you on that. The program I graduated from also worked with an in state university that had a degree completion for a BS in Health Sciences. A classmate of mine was actually dual enrolled in both our associates program and the BS program. He wound up finishing the BS less than a year after graduating. However he is looking at med school, and so since then he has been taking tons of math and sciences to fill the credit gaps that the Bachelors left out plus studying for MCATs.

[@jessicaharrison2686]

I start my RT program at SJVC in January. Definitely getting my bachelors and beyond. And I’m in California 🙂 most want bachelors. Love your videos.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thanks, Jessica! I'm getting my BSRT online e from SJVC right now 😊

[@haleywrob9063]

I am still young... but I have no idea what to do with my life. Your a real help

[@ElaineAnourack]

Thank you Aimee! Very informative and straightforward 😀

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thanks Elaine 🤗

[@Busybeeexplorers]

Great video! I have been thinking about all of this a lot lately.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thank you! It definitely gives us a lot more to think about!

[@franknills9879]

Great information. Just discovered your channel and started watching and liking all of them)) Wish your channel takes of to masses as it deserves more attention 👍

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thank you, Frank!!

[@mbm7443]

I’m a CRT recent graduate (studying for my CSE exam now) and I’m in Philadelphia, PA. The vast majority of employers here require the RRT credential to start working. There are a handful of places that allow CRT’s and give you a few months to obtain the RRT, but it’s very, very few places that allow this (probably less than 10 hospitals). I am also an advocate for education and getting an advanced degree- I hope to start my bachelors program very shortly after obtaining my RRT. It’s important to keep up with these other health care occupations as you said- and getting a higher degree is what’s necessary for this field to gain more respect and maybe one day more advancement opportunities !

[@britkanna8795]

Hi, I also live in Philadelphia and I am interested in doing a respiratory therapy program. Do you know about the salary for rt's in Philadelphia? Also are there a lot of jobs in Philadelphia? I'm scared that I will get the degree and then struggle to find a job.

[@snakehips3131]

In my part of Pennsylvania there is no current need for a bachelors degree. Also, there are quite a few hospitals that do not even require you to be registered yet. Certain hospitals will pay more for being registered though. PS i enjoy your channel too

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thanks for the info! Itnis funny how different things are! Here in Vegas if you aren't registered, they won't hire you. Most of the hospitals here gave CRTs a year to get registered unless they have been an RT for 20 years. Thanks for watching!

[@snakehips3131]

Breathe Easy agreed. I would highly recommend everyone get registered though even if your current hospital doesn’t require it. About half our staff at my hospital isn’t and it definitely limits your opportunities if you were to decide to move.

[@mrskurd5605]

Great I live in Pa

[@jackierindy7322]

I just got accepted to RT school. I am 49 and decided to take a leap of faith and change careers now that the kids are both gone. Any advice for someone my age just starting this?

[@Blake34593]

How is it working for you so far

[@TejRecordz]

update

[@jimbrown9817]

Jackie, are you still alive? RT school during Covid got pretty complicated where I was working. If you are still in the field, please let us know how it turned out (so far) for you.

[@johnguillen68]

I have a BS in Biology is it worthless if I go into RT?

[@fxncy2566]

why not just go into PA? same amount of time, a bit harder to get into but a much better investment with a BS

[@johnguillen68]

@@fxncy2566 I don't have a high GPA for PA school. I've tried for 3 years and wasted a lot of money on application process. I'm shooting for PT but it's the same process as PA so I have to try this year and then hopefully get in if not, then my last choice would be Vascular sonography. I'm still in the ER for over 18 years and I"m burnt out. I need something different.

[@floored3078]

Yes, if you want to become an ecmo specialist at Mayo you 100% need your bachelors in RT or RN. It’ll get you up to $61hr though, so worth it.

[@justbreeathesrt7445]

I also heard coming soon (like next ten years and this is just coming from my teacher) that RT will be moved to a bachelor's permanently

[@justbreeathesrt7445]

Oops I commented too early 😆

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Lol! No worries! I have the executive statement from the AARC linked in the description box if you want to check it out!

[@justbreeathesrt7445]

@@BreatheEasyRRT oh, thank you so much!!

[@Kermit46]

Will never. Due to the fact that even RNs have entry level Associates degrees still. We have never led the way.

[@svscakes]

This is a very informative video!! Thank you! ❤️ At Northern Kentucky University near Cincinnati, the only option available is Bachelor's in Respiratory Care. I'll be entering this program next Fall. I don't really know if hospitals near me prefer Bachelor's or not, but I have heard that some places will be requiring it, so I'm really glad I'll be getting one. 😊 I also want to specialize later on.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thanks for watching and contributing to the conversation!

[@2ndstartrrt844]

I am going to be interested to see how the program I am currently attending is going to handle changing to a B.S. It is a community college program with an A.A.S degree. I would like to go on to get a B.S. but it is going to depend partly on whether or not I can find an employer that will help pay for it. I am an older student and it is debatable if it would be worth the money to pay out of pocket.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Ah I understand that, schooling can be quite expensive.

[@jsmith9102]

I’m here in Seattle WA and some schools offer Bachelors some Don’t I’m thinking of attending RT program are Physical therapy assistant program

[@melyssaholly96]

Awesome video! ❤️ My school in Illinois only has an associates. But they give us information for a school from another state that will accept students from our program to get a bachelor’s online. That’s if we want to. Do you enjoy online classes or is it tougher? I plan to get mine but I’m nervous about it being only online lol

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thanks for the info! Unlike online classes but you have to be extremely self motivated since there is a lot of solo work.

[@jamillia53]

What program in Illinois did you attend of you don't mind me asking?

[@Mjaymkay]

Are you in Las Vegas? I’m applying for a school here to hopefully start on Jan 4th, if you are in LV how’s the jobs? I signed up on indeed to get notified everytime they have job openings to just give myself somewhat of an idea. I too am trying to go back for Bachelors degree once I’m so done. If you are in LV I’d love to know which school you’re going for the online ba. Thanks for your help... commented too early lol guess you are in Vegas! Awesome!!! The school I’m going to is for associate

[@GarryRT]

My program is hoping to create a bridge program in the future like nursing where you’d continue your education towards a bachelors at a university. But as far as jobs, some say they prefer a bachelors but none are requiring one unless it’s to be a manager or something

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Awesome info! Thanks Garry!

[@Jessief24813]

I'm curious what classes are you talking to get a bachelor's degree? I'm in Massachusetts and I am waiting to get in to my associates degree RT program. But I started looking into bachelor's and I didn't see anything that was as specifically RT. So do you get a bachelor's in sciences or something or is there a specific type of program? I love your videos seeing your journey believe it or not has helped me keep on going through all these damn pre requisites so thank you.

[@snakehips3131]

Jessief24813 an employee of mine got a bachelors in respiratory from Pima Medical Institute which is out of arizona. It’s all online.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thank you Jessie! Some schools don't offer on campus bachelor's in respiratory. I am going to SJVC online for my BSRT but other people choose to get a bachelor's in healthcare administration, health sciences, etc. Like the commenter below you mentioned, there is also pima and a quite a few others that have online programs. Just do your research to see which program you might be interested in. Good luck and let me know if you need anything!

[@franknills9879]

@@BreatheEasyRRT I'm in my third term of RT program in SJVC. Just started the clinicals... Can't wait to graduate :)

[@Jessief24813]

The crazy thing with my school is the first week your second day you are in clinicals which I find weird but the whole program is that too days clinical two days classes and Friday is an open lab day. So if everything goes according to plan I'll be in the program next fall. Applications don't go in until June well that's the dead line so I'm going to be held in suspense for quite some time. I cannot wait until I can have the privilege to be a respiratory therapist. I am an LPN and everyone is why don't you go for your RN well in Massachusetts unless you have a bachelor's you are working in nursing homes and respiratory is my passion. I'm glad to be able to find other like minded individuals. So thank you again and thanks to the ppl that responded.

[@Throwawayytm]

We only have a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy in my country and you need it to work in the field. My country being Saudi Arabia.

[@jimmyjohnson3235]

I have to ask - what if you already have a Bachelors? I have a BS in Health Sciences (and an MBA in Healthcare Management) and am considering switching careers from working in a Simulation Center/Educator to RRT...

[@sonandrew1454]

I’m in the same boat. Just graduated with my BS in Health sciences and looking to start an associates in RT. I really wanna know where I stand with said credentials

[@Joyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

i am in the same boat

[@ceemarie3678]

I'm starting the RT program this fall and I was told by Instructors that a BS in anything would meet the requirements. Hope this helps...

[@astro_monist2559]

@@ceemarie3678 so any Bachelor's degree would meet the requirement? I'm getting mine in Natural sciences and I'm looking all over the internet to see if I should just switch my major.

[@ceemarie3678]

gaige smith Yes, that's what I'm told by current RRTs and instructors..

[@iantru9929]

So to get this straight if you are a rrt right now, you are grand father in and don't need a bachelor in the future?

[@logovogo28]

I got my degree in biology, and am now somewhat interested in respiratory therapy. What would someone recommend my next step be to pursue a career in this field? Do I need to get my masters in something related, or is a BS degree in biology sufficient to start applying for positions? If so, what position should I look for?

[@elizabethrosecabral1733]

I will have a bachelor degree in filmmaking but now thinking of being an RT instead. So I wonder how can I take that route knowing that I have a bachelor’s degree in something else?

[@Gigilovehugs]

Hopefully the pay go up with the education requirement increasing to a higher degree

[@gainsandgames7939]

So I'm in Jersey and they don't require a bachelor's, I'm actually starting my program in the fall.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Thanks for the feedback! Congratulations on getting started! You've got this!

[@daijaharluv]

I’m from Buffalo,NY and there are no schools here that even offer a bachelors degree in respiratory Care ...there is ONE community college that offers an associates degree in that field but that’s it 🤦🏾‍♀️ and if I sign up for the spring semester it will take almost 2 and a half years for me to graduate because I have to take the general studies courses first in order to even be considered into the program and by that time what if ALL hospitals require a bachelors degree then I will have no job placement? This is disappointing

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Don't stress! I don't think that will happen. There are a ton of online options for a BSRT also. If it were to become a requirement, there would likely be a grace period to obtain a bachelor degree.

[@hebaiqbal4890]

What if a person have bachelor's in biotechnology and he/she want to pursue career as a respiratory therapist even then a bachelor's degree is required in RT or an associates degree will work.

[@alanarandall2240]

I currently have a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from the University of Houston. I live in Las Vegas and I am a waitress. I’m really interested in becoming a respiratory therapist. Where would you suggest I apply? I see Pima and Carrington keep coming up in my google searches and I’m just wondering how the degree I already have would play into that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your video.

[@jimbrown9817]

Are you willing to relocate? You can probably continue working as a waitress if you want to, during school, anywhere in the country. Since you have a BA, you are eligible to go straight to an MSRT if you 1) are OK with grad school tuition rates and 2) choose to start in a management track position. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers a program that is essentially a ramped up ASRT--it includes what you need to become registered by NBRC--but you get a Master’s degree at the end. Before anyone chokes over this, consider that VA is requiring an MS or experience equivalence for RTs hired around GS 7/8/9, depending on location and need. This is of course ridiculous, but they don’t change. In my career, most colleagues have shared that the most they learned was during clinical rotations. Check with students currently in clinical at any program you are evaluating. If they dislike the practical education they are getting, scratch that program from your list. You will pay tuition etc. to work for nothing for hundreds of hours, so you’d better derive real knowledge from it.

[@keiraportillo5073]

I’ve been researching a lot about RT degree and I’ve come across that most hospitals are requiring a bachelors degree for RT’s even if you don’t get into management

[@Blake34593]

Must be your state. That’s not the case in most states.

[@ArunKumar-yu4in]

Hi mam i am arunkumar from tamil nadu. Studying 2nd year respiratory therapy student . Can I get job in your country to become a respiratory therapist

[@ktoe85]

So if I get out of school in September of 2020, your telling my associates degree in respiratory therapy will be useless?

[@susia111]

could you recommend a good online respiratory bachelor program? thanks

[@QQ-ph2jk]

Would you recommend getting an Associates degree first and then on to a Bachelors ??

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

That's what I did!

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

They mean doing a program that they don't graduate until they have a Bachelor's or just getting an associates degree and theater going back for their Bachelor's

[@deniseking306]

Does the AA program require a lot of writing?

[@mattiestewart8371]

I have a bachelors degree in Public Relations and then an Associates in Respiratory care. Am I ok?

[@tommydub7785]

She already explained in the video. NO

[@Kermit46]

Having got my bachelors in respiratory the only benefit is how fast you can go from an associates to BS. Otherwise no value. Now if it is required for and RRT to continue on to become the new Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist then yes.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Does your area not require a BS or higher for management or education? I haven't seen it make a difference if you are working bedside other than a few places.

[@Kermit46]

Breathe Easy no place I have worked for has required it. In school nearly a decade ago they talked how everyone will need a BS but it’s just not likely going to happen. There is an expected 28% growing need for RTs in the next few years. So increasing requirements for work will not help their cause.

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

Ah interesting I didn't know you could go into education without a BS degree of some sort. What state are you in?

[@Kermit46]

Breathe Easy to be in education for the hospital or a school? For a hospital as long as you are enrolled none have cared if someone didn’t have a bachelors. In teaching at a school it is hard requirement everywhere to have at least a bs if not an ms degree

[@BreatheEasyRRT]

I was referring to either one, just education in general. All education departments clinical educators in the hospital and schools here require a minimum of a BS.