Respiratory Therapist or Registered Nurse?

Which would is a better field to go into?

I looked into both before I went to school, and talked to people in both professions. What the other people said was true, RN's usually make a little more money than RT's. However, in my opinion, they do not make enough more to make up for the added stress, paperwork, and problems associated with their job. I work with some fantastic nurses, and I appreciate what they do. I'm glad I chose to be an RT!

both are equally good
respiratory doesnt make the money that RNs do but they dont deal with the SH** either so......

RNs make good money but really have to deal with a lot

my suggestion is to go to the local community college and talk to both the RN class and Resp class (2nd yrs) to find out how they like it and to go to a local hospital and ask if you could talk to the departments

good luck in your efforts.

Respiratory therapist are in really high demand right now. I mean really. We have a $5,000 sign on bonus for them at my hospital.

They are both good fields. I don't think that one is better that the other. Nursing provides the opportunity for many more specialties though.

It totally depends on what you prefer, you should ask about a mentoring program through a community college or even at your local hospital, they would probably allow you to follow a Respiratory Therapist around one day and an RN around a different day.
I am a Registered Nurse and I can tell you I love what I do, I love the variety of people I meet and because I was so anxious to learn as much as possible school was very interesting and not hard because when you are doing what is right for you it just flows (well for me it did).
Good Luck with whatever you choose!

I am a respiratory therapist and yes RN's do make a little more money, but they also have a lot more crap to deal with than RT's do.

raven=see, people can get along! Isn't it nice to have a profession where people appreciate each other, and respect each other?! I too am a nurse, for 30 years now. I love the RT's I work with! They save alot of lives by their treatments and suggestions to the docs. And they are so good with patients which is important to reduce stress in the sick ones. I don't have anything to add to the above but just say thanks! Check it out yourself, and see where you think you'll do your best! Both fields are rewarding!