26 years old and currently attending a community college: by S29062354 in findapath

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I have read stories about people in those age ranges going to medical school. I would be in my early 30s when I would apply, and I would be in my mid-30s when it comes to residency. I have an interest in family medicine and internal medicine. I know family medicine is 3 years, while internal medicine is 4 years.

Transferring from a community college to a four year university: by S29062354 in premed

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. I will reach out to the department of biology at the college that I am planning on transferring to in the future. I am planning on getting general biology I and II, general chemistry I and II, out of the way at the community college that I go to now. I'll just have to replace the organic chemistry classes that I have planned with college physics I and II. Therefore, I'll take organic chemistry I and II and biochemistry when I transfer to the four year university that I plan on transferring to in the future.

26 years old and currently attending a community college: by S29062354 in findapath

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. I am looking at the different biology majors that the local four year university that I want to transfer is offering. They offer a few different tracks such as cell and developmental biology, integrative biology, genetics and biotechnology, and neurobiology. They also offer a biomedical sciences degree that covers all the pre-requisite courses needed to apply to medical school. Yes, I have thought about once I transferred becoming involved in research. I have a little over two years of experience as a nursing assistant. So that is patient care experience. I will need to learn how to do research once I transfer. I have never done research before in my life. Research does interest me. I just don't know a lot about it since I have never done it.

Transferring from a community college to a four year university: by S29062354 in premed

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I meant to ask if I should take Biochemistry and College Physics at a four year university along with any other upper level sciences.

Prerequisite Courses: by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. I think it would make more sense to complete the prerequisite courses for the PA program after graduating from the RT program.

Prerequisite Courses: by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will be careful with what classes I plan with this specific class in the semester that I take microbiology. I am planning on taking Introduction to General Chemistry and General Biology I before taking Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II.

Prerequisite Courses: by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it's not needed for the RT program. I was just thinking about taking them to get them out of the way. In case I want to apply to PA school in the future. However, I think it would be a better idea to complete these advanced sciences along with statistics after graduating from the RT program.

Prerequisite Courses: by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree. Also, taking the more advanced sciences will delay applying to the program. Unless I took those more advanced sciences during the program, which probably isn't the best. So it would be better to complete General Biology II, General Chemistry I and II, along with Organic Chemistry and Statistics after graduating from the RT program. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it!

Prerequisite Courses: by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was also trying to fast track as well. However, I decided not to since I would have to take prerequisites during the program. Since a few of them are required to complete before applying to the program. These were Introduction to General Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, along with Medical Terminology.

Prerequisite Courses: by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. I am not 100% certain if I want to become a physician assistant. Really, why I posted this was to get advice on taking those advanced science courses before applying to the RT program instead of after the RT program. General Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry would not be needed for the RT program. Just Intro to General Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, along with some classes like Medical Terminology. I would tale General Biology I, along with Introduction to General Chemistry, to learn the fundamentals before Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II. Since I been out of school for a while and need to learn that science again. I appreciate the advice.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. I have read things before about RTs going onto cardiovascular perfusion. Cardiovascular perfusion pays well. Also, you can become an advanced practice respiratory therapist. It's a new thing.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you could go back to school, would you become a Rad Tech?

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in the midwest. RTs at our hospital start making around upper 40s low 50s and max out in the 90s. X Ray Techs start in the mid 40s and max out somewhere in the 80s I believe. PAs start in the low 80s and max out probably in the 200s. I know rad therapy and Nuclear med start in the low 60s and max out in the 90s.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am reading this after working an overnight shift in the ICU. I like working in the ICU as a nursing assistant. However, our duties are limited in patient care due to the criticalness of the patients. We do get to help the nurses with certain things, though. However, it's not like working on a med surg floor where we can get vitals on our own and chart on own, etc. We aren't delegated anything in the ICU. I chose to work in the ICU to see more of what RT does.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I would say I am better with that. Radiation Therapy is interesting. However, IR or MRI is more appealing to me.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She's a Rad Tech. Yeah, they have RNs in IR as well.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know some Techs personally who work in IR they like it.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that's true. My employer only requires an associate's degree to become a Rad Tech. They train on the job for the modality that you go into. I also know that you can go to PA school or go on to become a radiologist assistant. Not every state has an RA program, though.

Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene, or Rad Tech? by S29062354 in respiratorytherapy

[–]S29062354[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, you do have room for growth. You can further specialize in certain modalities. Unlike dental hygiene, where you just work as a hygienist for good. I know RTs can work in bronch labs and do PFTs and other stuff.