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Respiratory Therapists Represent
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Even through the challenges, program on campus prepares students for the workforce.
Photos & Story | Sarah Newberry Page Design | Rachel Wilson
It can also be stressful, but usually time management is key to succeeding. Between clinicals, lectures, labs, studying, and tests, respiratory therapist students have a lot on their plate. The program has been around since 2013 and keeps growing and bringing in lots of applications each year. “Busy, you usually hit the ground running, especially today with COVID,” said Teresa Pauls, Respiratory Therapist Program Director. There’s typically a busy, 12-hour day for therapists out in the field. They are constantly running around doing different things, adjusting to the needs of the hospital or wherever they are needed. “They basically put out fires, basically helping people to breathe, managing oxygen, managing their ventilation, helping that patient give breathing therapy,” Pauls said. What respiratory therapists do is very important and they aspire to help
people. It takes a lot of work to get there, but in the end it’s worth it. The first step is getting into the program. “Get your Gen Eds. There are courses you have to take before you can get into the program. Also reach out to Jerry or Teresa, they’re both very easy to get ahold of, they’re very communicative, they’re willing to set something up,” said Matison Moyer, hometown. Before joining the program, it’s a good idea to know if that’s the career path that student should pursue. “I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but I just didn’t know how,” Moyer said. Moyer previously worked in a hospital, she was trying to figure out what to do in the healthcare field. Seeing respiratory therapists working piqued her interest, so she started to ask questions. “So whenever I could, I would just go around and ask nurses, respiratory therapists, ‘Hey do you like your job’ or whatever you know,” Moyer said. “It’s something I wanted to be able to love my job for the rest of my life or until I retire. Every single respiratory therapist I talked to said ‘I love
A journey is not always about the destination, it’s how one gets there and the experiences they encounter on the way. Respiratory therapists experience a lot of twists and turns in their career. They have a lot thrown at them at every step of the way. Between working in the field and getting the certification they need, there is a lot to accomplish. According to many students and faculty in the Respiratory Therapy Program at Hutchinson Community College, it can be a fun and rewarding career. The students often make many friends and support each other throughout their studies and exams.
Photo | Sarah Newberry Respiratory Therapy Program Director Teresa Pauls poses outside her office. She was in respiratory therapy for 25 years before moving to education.
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