The field of respiratory therapy, like many applied healthcare professions, attracts more and more young future professionals, who are willing to devote their lives to health care and want to be confident about finding a job after they graduate. This is no surprise, taking into account the fact this field is rapidly growing and is expected to increase by 12 percent the number of workplaces by 2024 ("U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics").
Professional growth and career opportunities are definitely good enough reasons to join the field. But what does it actually take to succeed and become a professional? In my opinion, the key to being a good Respiratory Therapist is not limited by knowledge. It is a matter of fact that obtaining excellent education is essential for any doctor as the cost of doctor’s mistake is person’s life. However, respiratory therapy requires much more than knowledge and education.
Firstly, a person should be patient enough not only to assess and treat patients, but also educate and teach them how to live with cardiopulmonary disorders.
Secondly, there is no good therapist who does not possess good critical thinking and decision making skills. A Respiratory Therapist must be able to make decision fast and cold-heartedly, otherwise, no right decisions can be made.
Finally, a person, who is planning to build a career in respiratory therapy, must have enough willpower to learn and educate himself on daily basis. Science is rapidly developing, new drugs are produced every day and new health care plans are developed every month. A good therapist must always be on the same page with science and be hardly surprised by any innovation because he was the first time to know about it.
References
"Respiratory Therapists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics". Bls.gov. N.p., 2016. Web. 7 Sept. 2016.
