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Speak up. Be loud and Be proud!! Just keep in mind.....NOBODY knows what you know as an RT. ( I am 30 yrs in the field and married to a Pulmonologist!!) Carry the torch!!

I have noticed that and am constantly asked if I am a nurse, or if I have my lab coat on, I am confused for a doctor. Alas, I am still a respiratory student and so proud of it. I graduate at the end of this semester. But I do believe Respiratory should get more recognition. However, I must say, the patients definitely recognize and appreciate what we do, even as a student; many patients I have got to deal with have expressed their thanks for what we do. That's pretty good to me.

Hi Ashley
Firstly, I am happy that you have chosen our profession and that it truly speaks to you. Secondly, I think that we will drive ourselves crazy hoping and praying for that major recognition that nurses and physicians (and physical therapists) get on television and movies. I have found, over the years, that a simple thank-you or hug from a patient or the patient's family is the best recognition on earth. I would not trade a hug from the 10-year-old asthmatic who is grateful to be alive (thanks to RCPs) for a starring character in a top-grossing movie or TV show. I would recommend that we all:
1. Take every opportunity to educate others about our profession.
2. Portray ourselves as the top-notch professionals that we are.
3. Let our actions speak louder than TV characters.
4. Continue the pursuit of excellent, evidence-based patient care. Our patients are our best advocates.
5. Be active in your state society and the AARC. Community events can be excellent opportunities to inform the public about our vital role in healthcare.
I am glad that a passionate person like you is joining our profession. Best wishes in your future career.
Shawna

Thank you both Mr. Cohagen and Nibert for replying to my post. I can definately agree with you both on trying to uplift our profession to where it deserves to be. I have not been in the field long and in fact still am a student, but I can understand the hard work that it takes to not only pass the national board(unlike nurses more than once) and to be the person to always be there! I have heard from other RT's that since our field is a fairly new, progressing profession that hopefully one day we will get the recognition but as far as today seems nothing is done and will not be done. I just can't seem to wrap my understanding on the hard work we do and not being able to be compared to other professions?! So I am assuming this is an ongoing issue, why has anything not been done if the issue is in question?

Ashley,
In my 30 years in the profession I have seen that we have our cheerleaders and our quiet majority.
We are rarely mentioned on TV shows like ER and Gray's Anatomy, but we are always there.
We are still called Dr. or nurse by our patients and family, but we are always there.
We need to team up and blow our own horn because we are always and will always be there.
We have had some spokesmen like Jerome Bettis, Jackie Joyner-Kersey, and Danica Patrick to name a few, but we need to put a face with the profession and make it known that we are always there.

Ashley,
Like anything else in life, there are always issues that tests our motivation of our chosen career. I have invited you to be a contact and I suggest that you connect with other RT's that frequent this networking site. I encourage you to go through the archives and read blogs and discussions that will help you in your new career. Be a Leader and hone your skills and you will be soon be surprised who is following and surrounding you as a professional----