With variety to keep you engaged, hands-on patient care and many job opportunities, respiratory therapy is a career worth considering.
There’s a demand for respiratory therapists. Learn how to take on this exciting role.
Respiratory therapists work with patients of any age, from premature babies to the elderly. The role involves finding, managing and preventing problems related to the cardiopulmonary system.
You might work with a patient with emphysema or someone who has trouble breathing without assistance because of an accident.
Your patients will rely on you to help diagnose conditions like asthma and sleep disorders. You’ll help them decide upon different therapies. You’ll implement and manage ongoing care and treatment programs.
Although hospitals are the primary place of employment, there are respiratory care opportunities in other areas, including:
Working as a respiratory therapist requires specific personality traits and skills.
Read more: Six Personality Traits of a Good Respiratory Therapist
As healthcare evolves to focus on prevention and wellness, the respiratory profession is growing quickly. Patient self-management and education are big focuses in healthcare today.
Growth in the middle age and elderly population will also mean a higher number of patients with respiratory problems. As these trends continue, there will be a higher demand for respiratory therapists throughout the country.
Salaries in respiratory care are also on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary in 2023 for a respiratory therapist was $77,960 per year.
The respiratory therapist education requirement is a bachelor’s or associate degree. You’ll also have to pass a respiratory therapist certification.
The path to becoming a respiratory therapist requires:
If your goals include becoming a manager or educator, you can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. Examples of these positions include:
At Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), students have three options for respiratory therapy degrees:
Read more: Which Respiratory Therapy Degree is Right For You?
Once you’ve graduated and started your career, you’ll have an opportunity to continue your respiratory therapist training and earn a specialization.
Specialist respiratory therapists can have specialized training in neonatal/pediatric respiratory care, adult critical care, sleep disorders and pulmonary rehabilitation.
NMC’s respiratory program sets high standards for students, both in the classroom and as a part of a wider healthcare community. With participation in community service activities students get a chance to work as part of a healthcare team. Students learn in an educational environment that harnesses high-tech nursing labs and a variety of cutting-edge techniques.
NMC graduates grow through their experiences working with patients during clinicals and attending training modules throughout the Omaha metropolitan area and rural sites. This wide breadth of knowledge further expands the career paths and options available to students.
Bachelor’s-prepared respiratory therapists can continue their education with specialization therapeutic areas such as sleep disorders, pulmonary function, critical care or neonatal pediatrics.
Becoming a respiratory therapy educator is also an option for career advancement.
Respiratory therapists with a bachelor’s degree can also advance their careers to management positions.
The respiratory therapist job outlook is 13% growth between 2022 and 2023, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Read more: 8 Reasons Why Respiratory Therapy is Lifting Off
Read more: How to Start a Career in Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory care is an important job in a growing field. Healthcare careers in respiratory therapy are worth considering if you’re looking for a high-demand, versatile career path.
Schedule a consultation with our academic advisors to learn more about NMC’s leading respiratory therapy program. Contact admissions@methodistcollege.edu or 402-354-7200.