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Respiratory therapists use equipment like nebulizers and ventilation machines to treat their patients, while nurses provide general patient care by administering intravenous fluids or medicine and recording patient vitals.

From speaking with medical professionals who have gone through both programs, most claim that nursing school was more challenging (for them) than the respiratory therapy program. Again, this is definitely not always the case. It really depends on your location and the program that youre interested in.

Respiratory therapy involves a significant amount of math, but its focused on practical, real-world applications. Students learn to perform dosage calculations, convert units, and calculate oxygen flow rates and ventilator settings, among other mathematical tasks.

The Profession Can Be Emotionally Stressful A significant aspect of the job involves treating patients in emergency settings or those with chronic respiratory diseases, both of which can have uncertain outcomes. This uncertainty and the intimate involvement in patient care can lead to emotional stress.

The main difference between the two is in the types of cases they receive. Respiratory care practitioners are likely to see more intense cases, such as chest infections, pneumonia, or even lung cancer. Respiratory therapists tend to see patients with common or manageable conditions, such as acute asthma.

Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Being a registered respiratory therapist is a challenging but ultimately rewarding career. Of course, this hard work requires a certain amount of skill and dedication to the profession.

Visit the NBRC Practitioner Portal Pay your annual NBRC fee. Enter your continuing education information for maintaining your credential. Order credential verification letters. Purchase NBRC badges of distinction: pins and wallet cards. Update your contact information with the NBRC.