kathudson77 Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I was just wondering how many PAs are on here are former respiratory therapist. I'm about to graduate next week from a respiratory therapy program. I just finished up my last day of clinical in the NICU and I LOVE being in the NICU. I want to find a job in a NICU and work for a few years and get my bachelors and then apply to a PA program somewhere. I would like to specialize in neonatology, is that a hard specialty to get into? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 22, 2015 Moderator Share Posted July 22, 2015 many nicu jobs for non-physicians go to NPs (NNPs), but there is a PA postgrad residency in neonatology that would set you up nicely for a job in the field. RT is a great background for PA school. many of these folks end up working in critical care after graduation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randito Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I had 2 RTs in my class. Both are now working in EM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 22, 2015 Moderator Share Posted July 22, 2015 that's the #2 destination for former RTs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CornellSPA Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Yes, I am a former RT and CPFT. As a student I really wowed them w my vent management and ABG skills!!! Get a little time under your belt as an RT before starting the PA path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathudson77 Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 Yes, I am a former RT and CPFT. As a student I really wowed them w my vent management and ABG skills!!! Get a little time under your belt as an RT before starting the PA path. Thanks! I was thinking I would work for 4 or 5 years before I apply to PA school. What specialty do you work in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathudson77 Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 that's the #2 destination for former RTs. So emergency and critical care are where the majority of former RTs practice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathudson77 Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 many nicu jobs for non-physicians go to NPs (NNPs), but there is a PA postgrad residency in neonatology that would set you up nicely for a job in the field. RT is a great background for PA school. many of these folks end up working in critical care after graduation. I did a job search yesterday for NICU physian assistants and I see hospitals will take an NNP or a PA. I found that there are two schools that have NICU residencies for PAs. Hopefully I can get into one of those schools one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 22, 2015 Moderator Share Posted July 22, 2015 yup, em and critical care have lots of RTs. pulmonology as well(big surprise). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisephillips Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I was RRT before entering PA school. Started as RRT in 1999 and started PA school in 2002. I was very well prepared for PA school and rotations. Somehow I ended up in orthopedics :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrtbrad Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 I have often found myself wondering about advancing my career to a PA from being an RRT. I like being a RT, but I feel like I want to do more. my dilemma is the financial piece, paying for more school, and removing my income from my family, while attending school. I am interested to see who has done this and what did you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted October 27, 2018 Administrator Share Posted October 27, 2018 On 7/24/2015 at 5:43 AM, krisephillips said: I was RRT before entering PA school. Started as RRT in 1999 and started PA school in 2002. I was very well prepared for PA school and rotations. Somehow I ended up in orthopedics So you're an ortho PA who actually knows how to use a stethoscope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blynn12 Posted October 27, 2018 Share Posted October 27, 2018 2 hours ago, rrtbrad said: I have often found myself wondering about advancing my career to a PA from being an RRT. I like being a RT, but I feel like I want to do more. my dilemma is the financial piece, paying for more school, and removing my income from my family, while attending school. I am interested to see who has done this and what did you do. Recent PA grad, former RRT here. It is challenging to go from getting a good paycheck to full-time student with no income. I relied on student loans, which covered my tuition completely (state university so extremely affordable) and since I was a RT, I had decent savings to help me along with other expenses like car, etc. Fortunately my spouse was able to handle most of our living expenses. My school would notify us of scholarship opportunities that came up through the school, state PA association, etc during the year so there are always those options to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenspac Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 On 7/21/2015 at 8:12 PM, kathudson77 said: I was just wondering how many PAs are on here are former respiratory therapist. I'm about to graduate next week from a respiratory therapy program. I just finished up my last day of clinical in the NICU and I LOVE being in the NICU. I want to find a job in a NICU and work for a few years and get my bachelors and then apply to a PA program somewhere. I would like to specialize in neonatology, is that a hard specialty to get into? two of our best students were resp therapists. Rad Tech and Resps seem to be a significant portion of actual medical trained students outside emts and paramedics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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