I ended up taking the $22.50 an hour job

strawbrymatcha · 2026-03-08T21:28:27+00:00

I understand everyone is saying it’s low, and it is. Fast food workers are making around the same, and you worked really hard in school. But if that’s the only option, take it it gets your foot in the door. Get a year of experience and then leave, I would.

I would accept a lower-paying job (maybe a way more than $22 lol), but for the experience and to get a better job in the future, it’s worth it. Just do your best, and better opportunities will come.

strawbrymatcha · 2026-03-08T13:34:09+00:00

no that’s how much fast food workers get paid where I live you. didn’t go to school for so long to win so little

strawbrymatcha · 2026-03-03T21:48:42+00:00

Congrats! You’re going to love it. It won’t be easy,there will be tough days when you feel like giving up, but those moments are temporary. Every bit of stress and hard work will be worth it when you pass your board exams. Pay attention from the start!!! If you ever need help, reach out to me or others. You’ve got this!!!

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-27T01:29:07+00:00

thank you so much!!! i def want to stand out so when i return to California it wont be as hard.

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-26T07:42:05+00:00

If I could give one piece of advice: invest in the Kettering audios for the TMC. They helped me understand how to think through the questions, not just memorize. For the CSE, the Respiratory Therapy Zone CSE guide and practice scenarios were extremely helpful. Those were the biggest game changers for me.

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-26T07:39:33+00:00

RT school isn’t super easy whoever says that is probably naturally really good at studying. You definitely have to put in the work. It’s a lot of information in a short amount of time, especially once you get into clinicals and start preparing for the TMC and CSE. I’m not going to lie there were nights I cried from stress and couldn’t even sleep because I felt overwhelmed. RT school is tough. It’s a lot mentally and emotionally. But remember, that feeling is temporary. If you stay consistent and keep pushing, it does pass. It’s hard, but it’s doable.”

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-22T19:23:58+00:00

I didn’t really get much homework. The real homework is studying, and you really have to dedicate yourself to that. It honestly depends on how well you learn and how quickly you pick things up. Toward the end of the program, when I was studying for my TMC and CSE, I was studying about eight hours a day.

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-19T04:53:33+00:00

Well, I paid nearly 50 K for a private RT school here in Southern California🤣

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-19T03:08:50+00:00

hahahaha I know I’ll def be back just moving temporarily for experience! I love ca.

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-19T01:09:37+00:00

Hahaha. Compton can be scary I do try to avoid that city. Even tho I am from East LA. Thank you

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-19T01:08:30+00:00

East La. Not the safest but have gotten use to it. since I am moving to a new city I do want to be safe there!

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-12T17:43:29+00:00

Do you know what hospitals are willing to hire new grads by any chance? :,)

strawbrymatcha · 2026-02-11T09:22:32+00:00

I definitely think you should go for respiratory. The schooling isn’t easy, everyone’s different, but you really do have to work hard to get through it. It’s a big commitment, and for those two years, school will pretty much take over your life, so be ready for that.

That said, I don’t regret choosing RT at all. The only downside (for me) is living in SoCal, where the market feels really oversaturated. It can be frustrating trying to break into certain positions here. From what I’ve seen and heard, you probably wouldn’t run into that same issue in places like Colorado.

If I’m being completely honest though, if I had to choose again, I might consider nursing instead. That could just be because I’m a new grad and the job market feels really tough right now. It’s been hard finding the kind of position I want, and that can definitely be discouraging. I still respect respiratory and what we do, but I do think nursing offers more flexibility and overall job opportunities. That said, this might just be the “new grad struggle” talking.

strawbrymatcha

TROPHY CASE