The Difference Between Life and Breath
Respiratory therapists are highly skilled practitioners who provide treatment, management and care of patients with breathing deficiencies and abnormalities. I chose to go into this profession not just for the money, as some might think, but because of my own life experiences in having to deal with taking care of my Dad, who died from third stage emphysema and because my son has asthma. Part of my acceptance into the respiratory program at Ivy Tech was to job shadow a therapist for a day. I chose to do this at St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville. I called to set up my appointment for the job shadow and found out I would be shadowing Pam Ehrie, which was good because I already knew her as she helped to care for my Dad and also cared for my son.
I arrived at the Respiratory Department at 10 a.m. on Monday of the following week and Pam came out to greet me with a scrub jacked and a name tag and briefly explained that I would go with her to make her rounds for the day. “Oh yesterday would’ve been a much better day to have come,” she exclaimed. “We had three codes so there was a lot more going on and it would‘ve given you a better idea of what we really do.”
“What are codes?” I ask, although I already had a pretty good idea.
“Oh that is when the patient arrives and they are basically gone, not breathing, and we have to recessitate them back to life.” Pam says. “I forget that you are just starting into this, so if there is anything that I say and you do not understand it, just ask me.”
Pam is a rather petite, bubbly individual who stands about five foot tall with shoulder length reddish brown hair and green eyes. She is pretty, with a warm smile that hugs you when you first meet her and a friendly face with kind, gentle eyes. Pam has been a therapist for fourteen years and she also went through her schooling at Ivy Tech. She loves her job, co-workers, and helping others. “It is my passion in life,” she says. She embraces the idea that she is giving a better quality of life to others. She is also the senior Registered Respiratory Therapist on staff at St. Clare Medical Center and she does all of the clinical sequences with the new students at Ivy Tech.
Occupational therapy is also known as the dynamic and developing healthcare profession that deals with people in ways of regaining their skills required for the every days of life. For a very long time I have always had the desire to achieve my dreams in becoming an occupational therapist. I am very well equipped with creativity, flexibility and the ability to aid people in solving their every day’s life challenges they get involved in. Occupational therapy is quite involving and needs good strategies and skills for one to be successful in the program.
that the patient could easily snap out of it. Elf is admitted in the hospital after attempting
While doing my observations, at the outpatient and inpatient settings, I confirmed this is a career suited for my personality and abilities, where you get to teach patients how to recover and start from the beginning, and
When asked if the therapist had considered obtaining a Bachelors degree in Respiratory therapy, 38% said yes, 50% said no, and 13% said they already have a Bachelor's degree in RT. When asked if the therapist had considered obtaining a Bachelor's degree in any field, 34% said yes, 36% said no, 26% already have a Bachelor's degree, and 4% are currently pursuing/enrolled. When asked if the therapist would consider obtaining a Bachelor's degree if certain programs existed (checking all that apply): 29% liked the hybrid program; 16% liked traditional on campus program, 43% liked online program, 12% liked other. Those surveyed were asked to choose an incentive the workplace could provide for them to consider a bachelor-degree. Seventy-nine ...
Caring for people is my passion. My senior year of high school is when I witnessed my grandmother live on a ventilator for about a week. It awakened a new level of passion in me to care for people with cardiopulmonary problems. The Respiratory Therapy Care profession has intrigued me with how they improve the quality of life in their patients. I will enjoy working closely with patients in addition to working high tech equipment. By entering into this program and graduating out of this program I know that this will satisfy my personal goals for the next five years in many ways. The continues challenges of trying to figure out what’s wrong the heart that day or what’s wrong with the lung the next day will always keep me on my toes. It will always
For as long as she could remember, Sara had was set on being a teacher. Following those childhood aspirations, she went into college to become a teacher. Unfortunately, Sara had to acknowledge the fact that a teacher’s salary may not support her and her big plans. Growing up just south of Detroit meant that Sara was able to see all of the struggles that would be difficult to overcome. A teacher just would not cut it. So, Sara buckled down and signed up for a nursing program. Sara has since completed the required education but plans on furthering her knowledge. Currently, the young nurse is pursuing certification in wound care. Some days, Sara thinks of going after the occupation of a nurse practitioner or CRNA. “I don’t think that I will,” Sara mentioned with a sigh, “Maybe after Clayton graduates. I just can’t afford to make school my top priority when I have him. I enjoy the work I do
My mom said that my aunt and cousins have also an asthma when they were kids, this situation motivate me to take this course so that I can help all the patients with the lung and heart problems. Skyline college offer a respiratory care program that is accredited for two-year program and the program also offers an Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Care which allows a graduate to become a licensed Certified Respiratory Therapist and also affords the opportunity to attain a higher level of credentialing (Registered Respiratory Therapist) that provide instruction and clinical practice. A student like me will learn from dedicated instruction who have practical experience in the field and will gain valuable hands-on experience through 800 hours of clinical and practice coordinated with sites in San Francisco and San Mateo
During her early career she has practiced as a psychiatric nurse in acute care and in community settings. She is faculty member in department of Nursing at the California State University at Los Angeles, professor
After over 15 years of working as a CNA and Caregiver, I decided that I wanted to continue my education in the medical field. In 2013 I took the first step towards gaining a better future with more experience as a medical professional. I enrolled into a Medical Assistant program at IBMC college of Longmont. It has been a long road and I am almost to the finish line having gained essential skills needed to move further into my career. It has been a grueling and eye opening experience for me being an adult learner returning back to school at 33 years of age. I persevered through these pass two years with courage and determination, never letting my short comings get the best of me. As I approach the end of my journey with IBMC I have realized that I have a passion for helping those persons who
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I had known for years that I wanted to work in the health care field, but I always believed it would be as a doctor. I watched for the first few years of my brother’s life as he struggled with different health challenges such as being born premature, having croup and breathing difficulty, and speech impairment. Watching my brother struggle and then being able to overcome these difficulties, as well as seeing other children around him who were not as fortunate, really pushed me even at a young age to make a difference. My family, both immediate and extended, were very supportive, and I felt a real positive push towards working hard to achieve that goal of working in health care. In high school, I was fortunate enough to do a cooperative placement at the Peterborough Regional Health Center’s Intensive Care Unit. Through observing rounds and being in the medical setting, I truly knew this is where I wanted to
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I hope to impact this professional with my knowledge and expertise. I am now in school again to further my knowledge of this profession. It may seem old for some. However, for me learning has no age and boundaries as I continued to gain more knowledge and perhaps someday I can be a mentor for my peers. I hope to someday work In Risk management where I can continue to fight and argue the rights of my patients and peers whom all deserve a sense of dignity and self-worth. My contribution to this profession includes providing and promoting care with a holistic approach that is inclusive of the mind, body, spiritual belief practices because the patients I see as being more than just another patient in need of my care. The patients are like you and I and perhaps wants the same as I want for them. I’m sure with my great sense of enthusiasm that I may accomplish something here because my day will never end until I make an unmistakable stamp on a profession I always wanted to practice since that little girl whose heart was touched by the many caring professionals that provided care to my mom. Sound like I’m on a mission that indeed I
The role of the nurse is diverse and complex, and is not only concerned with the patient’s body, but also their mind and soul. Nurses are not simply trained to perform tasks, but are trained to be professionals who utilize evidence-based practice with a compassionate and empathetic approach to care. These tasks carry a heavy weight and responsibility, and require that we treat all patients with honor, dignity, and respect. While I had a small idea of these things before beginning school, their gravity has become more of a reality in recent weeks. I hope to be a nurse who utilizes evidence-based practice combined with excellent patient-centered care to touch my patient’s lives and care for them in meaningful
Mona Counts is a Nurse Practitioner at her own primary care facility. Her clinic provides health care to over five thousand patients who live in the heart of Appalachia. Bob Wilkinson is a Pediatric Oncology Nurse. Bob takes care of very sick children and their families. Ardis Bush started as a Staff Nurse over 25 years ago and worked her way up to being Nurse Manager. These nurses establish a rapport with their patients and their patients’ families by talking to them like normal human beings, and not just as patients. These nurses relate and listen to their patients, which makes them feel comfortable. Both Mona and Ardis even make house visits to check up on patients and to see how they are doing.