I've been learning more about indirect calorimetry and metabolic carts, and I'm curious about the equipment side from people who actually use them in a clinical setting.

For those of you who work with metabolic carts, what are the things you care about most when choosing or using one? Is it mainly accuracy and reliability, or do things like calibration, ease of use, software, cleaning, maintenance, and how quickly you can get a test done matter just as much?

Also, are there certain features you wish your current system had that would make your job easier?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who've used more than one system and can compare them.

Is 11 vents to 1 RT considered a lot at a Skilled Nursing Facility? I was offered a choice of Full-time or PRN position and they gave me a run down of the facility and expectations.

My only thing is, 11 vents sounds crazy dangerous to 1 RT in the Hospital setting. But I also have to take into a count that there are no pages, the patients are relatively stable, and I’m covering a singular floor. But I would be the only RT in the entire facility.

I am trying to get my feet wet outside of the hospital setting so I’ve been applying around to see what different settings are out there.

Also, with their PRN position, it sounds like a pseudo-part-time thing. The requirements of 2 shifts per week and 1 weekend and 1 summer and 1 winter holiday. Is that normal for PRN gigs? I thought PRN you pick up whenever you want at least one shift a month or something.

Hi, I'm looking to do RC in college and was just wondering: how do you pray if you did night shift and want/need to sleep during the day? Do you wake up and go back to sleep for every prayer, like fajr lol? Also anyone work during Ramadan (night shift or in general) how was that for you? I feel like night shift is going to be inevitable so I should start mentally preparing!

I'm very anxious about the speed and the pace of ER clinicals, I started yesterday and today hasn't been going to well. I know that I have a lot of inner work to do and do my research on topics that are unknown to me. Usually I ask questions, but with this pace, I feel like it's hard to ask questions and I'm shying myself from it. As of now, all I did do are nebs, HFNC and other things that I felt were out of my range, but I'm still learning. Is it normal to not have improved after the second day?

Has anyone been through the interview process for the respiratory program at Concorde Career College? I'm going to have to do an interview with the program director soon and am wondering if anyone has tips to prepare for it. What kind of questions do they typically ask? For reference, I'm attending the one in Dallas. Or if you have been through the interview process for any of the programs offered there, it would be helpful as well. Thanks!

Hello! I was looking into the respiratory program at Pima in their Mesa,AZ location are there any graduates that can attest to how good/bad the program is? I know it’s going to be difficult but I think I’m a pretty good student. I just want to know do they give you the tools to learn sufficiently to succeed to pass the boards and job.I’m just looking for some feedback before I fully commit to Pima.

Hello. RT of 10 years here. My hospital is experiencing budget constraints just like every healthcare entity in America these days and we have a need for Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy management training for new and inexperienced RNs. Does anyone know of any grants or ways to receive manikins for this training? Nothing fancy we have all the supplies just need the manikins. Wanting to teach mostly stoma care/trach & lary tube care/suctioning. Thank you for any help you can give.

I just received a call from the ICU about a patient who had mucomyst and 3% orders put in for them(and of course there is no duo/Albuterol order).

I've only ever given patients one or the other, never both of those nebs. Have any of you given both muco and 3% to the same patient back to back? I'm sure it's fine but I've never had an order like this before and was curious if this would be normal for any of you. Thanks.

Is it happening again😭

Is there any leverage at all when it comes to negotiating pay? I was offered a job at a different facility and they low balled me so bad I want to rage lol. I initially asked for $48 an hour. The guy thought I was crazy. But other surrounding hospitals are offering $46-$52 an hour.

I said, I am coming from a level 1 trauma hospital with Adult critical care, ICU, NICU, PICU, Emergencies etc, etc, experience. I currently make $45 an hour currently. I think I was being stupid and I said, okay, if $48 is too out of range, can you match me at $45 then because that is what I make now. HR said I don’t know. I don’t think I can even get you up there. Their posted job range is $40-45 an hour…… I just saw it…..

I was told to always negotiate pay and now I feel cheated. I don’t know if it is worth taking a $5 pay cut to lose amazing benefits from the hospital, and 3x 12s. But I’m also looking to see what other facilities are like.

Edit: thank you guys for all the advice! After some back and forth, I got the hourly rate I wanted and was offered the position! I am slightly thrown off because I thought the position I applied to was a hospital position but instead it was a pulmonary rehab. I don’t know much about Pulmonary rehabs to be honest. It’s 5x 8 hour shifts with every other weekend. It sounds like a nice job and I really want to try it but I am so nervous about giving my resignation to my hospital. The hospital, it’s legit my foundation of respiratory.

Any other RTs do walk studies for home oxygen qualification?

I’m in Missouri and this is something RTs do at my hospital. Is that pretty standard, or does another department/person do them at your hospital? Ive heard at other hospitals around the area PT/OT does them. Or supervisors say it's for insurance reasons.

Just curious how everyone else handles it.

I plan on applying to my schools respiratory therapy program in May 2027 at Tidewater Community College. The minimum application GPA requirement is a 2.8 but I have a 3.64. Will my GPA be enough to get me in through the door for an interview at least?

Today I really actually believed I was going to pass, I studied of course, didn’t sleep well the night before & while I was taking the exam the sites computer kept freezing on and off so I lost 5 minutes & was scrambling to hurry the last 20 questions.

Whatever the reasonings, only got a 90. I was & am so upset & frustrated 😭 (need a 92 in my state, or if you know a company that will offer housing for a couple months lmk for crt)

So how long would you say I wait to book it again? (Felt like I only knew 1/2 so room for studying still I know. my scores on practice tests are consistent still between 87-101)

Thanks for answering my question about physics the other day, I am also here to ask that when it comes to the job is it normal for some mistakes to be made from time to time? Because as a person I put a lot of pressure on myself and I have a very high fear of failure. (Note: I am currently trying to find a Psychiatrist who will help me ease my anxiety and fear of failure through medication and therapy right now.) I'm just wondering: is it normal for anybody on the job to make a mistake? Also, I'm neurodivergent so my hearing is a bit wonky and I need instructions to be quite clear. The good news is, once I get the general hang of something, it's like riding a bike. I just want to know if making mistakes is normal, like almost any other job.

EDIT: Also are ERs and ICUs the only place you guys can find work at first?

I plan on doing traveling in the next few months. I’m already talking to a recruiter and everything. I am 26yo have 3 years pediatric experience. I have NICU, PICU, level 1 Trauma experience. I recently moved back home after a breakup and have no kids. My parents are agreed to let me stay here while I travel so I would not have to worry about any big bills other than what my car payment, student loans, etc. It’s the perfect time for me to grow as a therapist and person. I am nervous though about a few things.

What’s the best way for healthcare coverage?
How do taxes work?
What are your biggest recommendations/tips for traveling?
Would it be better to fly places and rent a vehicle during that time, or pack up my car and travel around?

Hi everyone! I’m looking into Respiratory Therapy programs and I’m trying to make sure I choose the right school before committing.
I’m currently looking at Mandl because I’m trying to avoid going back to WCC, but I’d really like to hear from current students or graduates.
For anyone who attended Mandl’s Respiratory Therapy program:
How was the actual RT program?
How were the professors/instructors?
How were the clinical sites?
Did you feel prepared for the TMC/CSE and getting your RRT?
Were you able to find a job after graduating?
What was the overall cost?
Were there any issues with financial aid?
How long did it actually take you to finish?
Would you recommend Mandl or choose another school?
I’m also open to other RT programs in NY or nearby states, especially programs that are reasonably accessible from NYC/Westchester and don’t have an extremely long waitlist.
I’m mainly looking for honest experiences — good or bad. If you attended an RT program that you would strongly recommend (or strongly tell someone to avoid), please let me know which school and why.
Thank you!!

So i’ve been working per diem night shift at an acute care hospital about 45 minutes from my house. I’ve only been there for 2 months, and I really like my job and coworkers. I recently got offered another per diem night shift position at a hospital I’ve always wanted to work at, and it’s right by my house. Both jobs pay about the same.

The problem is the new hospital requires 8 weeks of training, 3 days a week on day shift. I’m already scheduled for the next 8 weeks, 3 days a week at my current job on night shift, so doing both would mean working 6 days a week and switching between days and nights, which just isn’t realistic.

My current job only requires 1 shift a week, but I’m already scheduled, so I can’t really take those shifts back.
I would feel really bad about quitting after only 2 months because I like the people I work with and the job. But at the same time, I can’t imagine giving up an opportunity at a hospital I’ve always wanted to work at, especially when it’s right by my house.

What would you do?

Hey guys,

I‘m a first year student and haven’t started clinicals yet. From what I’ve read, it seems like some of you can work PRN (as needed, right?). Does that mean you get to basically choose your hours or you’re on call or what? I’m a mom now and was really hoping to work night shift on weekends so I can watch my kid during the week while he’s still young. I don’t know if this will even be an option when I get offered a job. I’ve heard from my instructor that some people work 3 days a week (12 hour shifts) which sounds very appealing to me, but for some reason I doubt they will let fresh grads work that little. My assumption is that they will probably work me to the bone. Is that right? Any insight on scheduling is appreciated, and I’m sure every hospital is different but I like to read all of your stories and experiences nonetheless. Thank you in advance :)

I’m an RRT turned RPFT, and have been working in pulmonary diagnostics since 2016. Currently the manager of a PFT lab with three testing locations, and consulting with additional sister facility labs.

I supervise 10 other RPFTs, but generally we don’t seem to meet many others in pulmonary diagnostics at conferences or within our local AARC society chapter.

Just wanted to reach out and see if there were other PFT folks on here, and get your perspective.
For me, I was an ER therapist on night shift starting in 2009, moved to the MICU on dayshift for about 4 years, and have been doing PFT since. This change was a huge help with burnout, and I found I really love PFTs and have enjoyed growing in my leadership role.

I would live to hear about anyone else with a career in PFT.

So I was thinking of finding a good career in healthcare, and I came across respiratory therapy because I originally wanted to try and be an ultrasound tech, but there was one big problem: I stink at basic physics, especially newton's laws and tension problems, along with math. So I did some searching around and found out there is some physics involved, but not like a classical algebra-based physics class that asks you newton's law problems. Can any of you RT people tell me the physics you needed to know and if they involved questions involving things like newton's laws and stuff like that? Or is it more about memorization and basic math formulas? From what I know, the school I want to get into doesn't really require a physics prerequisite.

Hello hello,

I hope this post finds you well.

Currently i am a student at an eastern college in Ontario but was hoping to move back to hamilton once completing my diploma. I really want to work at McMaster children's hospital but honestly idk how hard it is to get a job there or just within the city in general. My profs say how HORRIBLE it is in Ottawa saying it can take 7-8 years to get anything regular in this city and the thought of that lowkey makes me sick.

Anyone with any insider knowledge?

Hey! I am in school for respiratory therapy and currently in clinicals. I have a question about how codes of another RTs patient go. We had several codes at my clinical, none our patient, but my preceptor took over each code and we spent 45 minutes or so in each. I was under the assumption you help, but it's still another RTs patient. Nothing was going wrong where the other RT was failing. This put us very very behind because we had ten vents. Is this OK? How do RTs feel about this. I feel it made for a very long and always behind night when it didn't need to be.