I am considering going back to school as a Respiratory Therapy. I wanting to kmow what the pros and cons are. What school offers it and if you can tell me a little about any tests that you have to take prior to being accepted.
I don't want to stop w/being a MA. Thanks M.
M.,
My husband has been trying to get into the RT programs at TCC and Weatherford College for the past 3 years. They are both competitive programs. He has been taking and re-taking his pre-requisites to raise his GPA. You pretty much need a 4.0 to be accepted. My advice would be to talk to the director of the RT program near you.
S.
M.,
I am a respiratory therapist so I know ALL ABOUT IT!! I don't know where you work as a MA, but the majority of RT jobs are in the hospital setting which comes with mostly 12 hr shifts and weekends and holidays. There are several schools that offer RT depends on if you want to go to a "real" school and get a "real" degree or go to a tech school like ATI and if you ever decided to do anything else, NOTHING from ATI transfers to another school and the cost of ATI is over $40,000!!! I went to a junior college in Tyler. Some of the schools around here that have programs are Collin County and El Centro are the two big ones I know of off the top of my head. To get into their programs though you would have to have all the pre-reqs like A&P, Micro, chem etc... and I'm sure they prob both have waiting lists. You will def make money as an RT and the job is pretty rewarding. Let me know if you have other questions.
H.
Michelle,
I am an A&P professor at Collin County. I know that the program is VERY competitive, but a great program. You should check it out.
It is also a little less expensive than a 4 year university program.
I am going to attend UTA in the fall, under the Maverick Promise program they have, i am also an MA, only difference, is i never found work, so i am continuing my edu this way, check out this website for the requirements, its free for those who make under 20000 per year i think.
Hi M., I am a resp therapist. I graduated about 6 yrs ago and it has been great for having kids. I work 12 hr shifts x 3 days a week and am home for 4 days. My husband works Mon-Fri and 1 of my 3 days is a Sunday so my little one is only in daycare for 2 days a week.
The Prerequisite classes that you need before applying to the program take about 2yrs, less if you can take 2 classes or so a semester. I didn't have to take an entrance exam, but I believe Collin COunty requires it now, but it is like the Taas or the Tasp test. Not very difficult. The program itself is exhausting and takes a total of two years or 5 semesters and it is full time. So, it would be difficult working and going to school unless you could work at night. The pay is decent, however RN's make more and the prerequisites are about the same. Elcentro, collin county, ATI, and Tarrant county college are the schools with the program. Good luck!
