10 Jobs With Great Return on Investment

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Jobs mentioned above are really marketable and with good pay. Good choice and best to you...PS

PSB of TX 7:34PM May 06, 2010

Small rural hospitals can also be great places to work in Respiratory Care! You get to know your patients...laugh with them, cry with them, and spend time educating them about Respiratory Care!

psulionfan of PA 10:00AM May 05, 2010

For someone who doesn't know Respiratory Therapy, I joined because I wanted people contact and to stay above the belt. Yes, you probably will have to deal with a little of that, but that's the human body... Salary depends on basically where you live; state, big or small city or home (of course experience) .etc... So if you live in California with high cost of living and lots-o-people (gunshot, stabbings, C.F. population/specialty diseases), you obviously will be paid more. Were as a small community will pay less since less cost of living and not as many critical patients. Overtime, well if your hospital still has lots of overtime then you probably need a new manager since well you'll find out... Satisfaction in Respiratory Care in my opinion also depends on where you live. Some hospitals usually the larger ones will let you do more skilled respiratory tasks, intubating, arterial lines, central lines, push drugs, place IV's etc... Where as some smaller hospitals will only let you do minimal tasks in the respiratory field. Basically do your homework if your into the challenge, look around into neighboring hospitals or states so you can advance your career and your salary. Again all in opinion money does make life easier and yes you obvious should not get into respiratory care if your looking for the money aspect. We need people to advance our career to a profession striving for the advance skills to gain respect we deserve. And yes you can work this field and be a clock puncher, however, you will be liability in the hospital you work at, if this is the case don't ever work where I do... Good Luck

Patrick of WI 4:05AM May 05, 2010

I will be in my second year of college, finishing pre-requisit courses this fall, and I am seeking a degree in Radiology. My plan B was Respritory therapy. I did not pick these fields for the money, I truly looked into what the job field was about and what would be expected of me. I have not talked to anyone who is a radiologist that has anything bad to say about their job. This top 10 return article just re-afirms that I can support my family, since my husband has been laid off since july of 07.
Marsha

marsha fagan of IN 12:32AM May 05, 2010

This article hit home with me. I was reflecting back on my career and even with all the changes, administrative pressures and cost containment, you know what?...I'm getting paid pretty well for my education. You just have to remain professional, work hard, take advantage of your opportunities and pick the right place to work. (A strong medical director helps too!)

RRT-NPS, RCP of CA 10:20PM May 03, 2010

Jay of OH, I feel your pain and frustration. As a therapist for over 30 years, I have experienced first hand the battle to achieve respect and recognition due those of us that have a true pride in our work. However, I do not share your "DON'T DO IT" advice for those looking to pursue a career in respiratory. We do hit a lot of roadblocks with administration and fellow care givers but I also see minimal effort to improve our position from the vast majority of therapists. Many are satisfied to stay status quo. At our hospital ED, we had paramedics and they were fazed out. The ED RTs are appreciated for their pulmonary expertise and perform cross discipline procedures such as IV insertion, phlebotomy and NG/OG insertion. While compared to other disciplines, I agree our compensation is lacking. But in defense of administrators, many therapist do nothing to help improve our autonomy. Until we as therapists step up to the plate and consistently deliver, it will continue to be that way.

Daryl Rockwell of CT 1:42PM May 03, 2010

We need more qualified applicants, our pre-req's are at a 2.5 gpa with completion of English, Interpersonnel Communication, Chemistry, Math, Biology, Micro, Anatomy and Physiology (labs associated), then we have 7 quarters to the AAS degree. We are trying to work with BS, BA granting Universities so students can receive their 4 year degree. This is when YOU really feel like a therapist and you ADD VALUE to your employer. Jobs are out there, but like any career they want those with the positive attitude, able to participate in change, excellent work ethics. I have lots of these graduates and they get jobs. If you don't like your job then its time to leave, change your attitude or work within your department to bring about change. It's very easy but always rewarding. Local RT's with RRT and 15 years experience are at $50-60,000 per year and that's not bad.

Dee Arkell of WA 1:04PM May 03, 2010

DONT DO IT !!! Administration would rather treat patients in ED with 12 dollar an hour EMTs, who by the way,can start IVs,insert catheters, intubate and manage a vent, all without a single RT! WE had opportunities in the past to be a rehab discipline along with PT OT and speech.....But NO WAY, we are more like Docs!(add sarcasm here). The truth is 3rd party payors dont recognize us as a legitamate discipline. We are tolerated, and as long as we lie low and stay out of the way of crowned Princes and Princesses (Docs and nurses)we will be allowed to continue add up how many proceedures we have to do today!

jay of OH 8:24AM May 03, 2010

We have two schools in our area which will graduate this month -- all RRT, of course. Three students will work at our hospital, a couple at VA, but most of them have not job prospects upon graduation. Very sad.

Susan Gill of AR 9:01AM May 02, 2010

Amazing that we RTs are still so under valued. Routine care provided in an office demands more pay than literally saving a dying patient. Anyone else tired of the lack of respect?

of FL 1:24AM May 02, 2010