Biggest Struggles of Respiratory Therapy Students Vector

17+ Biggest Struggles of Respiratory Therapy Students (2025)

by | Updated: Dec 25, 2024

Respiratory therapy is a rewarding and vital profession, playing a crucial role in the medical field. However, the path to becoming a respiratory therapist is not without its challenges.

Many students find the journey through respiratory therapy school overwhelming due to the various difficulties they encounter.

To better understand these challenges, we surveyed over 50,000 students, asking them a simple yet revealing question: “What is your biggest struggle in respiratory therapy school?”

The responses were enlightening, highlighting common hurdles that aspiring respiratory therapists face.

In this article, we will explore these frequently mentioned challenges and offer valuable insights and strategies to help students overcome them and succeed in their education, ultimately passing their board exams and becoming competent respiratory therapists.

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What Do Respiratory Therapy Students Struggle With the Most?

Respiratory therapy students often struggle the most with mastering complex concepts like mechanical ventilation and interpreting arterial blood gases. Balancing rigorous coursework, clinical rotations, and board exam preparation also poses significant challenges.

Developing practical skills and retaining detailed medical knowledge can be overwhelming, requiring dedicated study and hands-on experience.

Respiratory therapy student struggling stressed out vector

Top Challenges Faced by Respiratory Therapy Students

  1. Mechanical Ventilation
  2. Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
  3. Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
  4. Time Management
  5. Exam Questions
  6. Patient Assessment
  7. Neonatal and Pediatric Care
  8. Troubleshooting
  9. ABG Interpretation
  10. Staying Focused
  11. Decision Making
  12. Calculations
  13. Respiratory Diseases
  14. Pharmacology
  15. Clinical Rotations
  16. Passing the TMC Exam
  17. Passing the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE)

Watch this video or keep reading to learn more about the top challenges students struggle with in respiratory therapy school.

1. Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is, by far, the most challenging topic for respiratory therapy students. This critical process involves managing and adjusting complex machines that support patients who cannot breathe on their own.

Students need to grasp various ventilator modes, understand patient-ventilator interactions, and troubleshoot common issues.

The complexity of these machines, combined with the necessity for rapid, critical decision-making in high-pressure environments, makes mastering mechanical ventilation particularly challenging.

2. Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)

Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is another challenging area in respiratory therapy education. These tests assess how well the lungs and respiratory system function and are used to diagnose and monitor lung diseases.

Students must learn to perform these tests accurately, interpret the results correctly, and explain them to patients in understandable terms.

The extensive knowledge required and the precision needed in testing procedures make PFT a demanding subject for students.

3. Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology

Cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology (Cardio A&P) involves an in-depth study of the structure and function of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Students must understand how the heart and lungs collaborate to oxygenate blood and remove carbon dioxide from the body.

This includes learning how these systems operate independently and together, recognizing how they can fail, and identifying interventions to restore normal function.

The subject’s complexity and the necessity to apply this knowledge in clinical settings make it particularly challenging for many respiratory therapy students.

4. Time Management

Time management is one of the most common struggles for respiratory therapy students. The rigorous academic schedule, filled with theoretical knowledge to absorb, practical skills to hone, and professional experiences to gain, can be overwhelming.

Balancing classes, clinical rotations, study time, personal responsibilities, and self-care requires effective time management skills, which many students find challenging to develop and maintain.

5. Exam Questions

Respiratory therapy students often find exam questions particularly challenging due to their scenario-based nature.

These questions require students to apply theoretical knowledge to clinical situations, necessitating an in-depth comprehension of complex topics like mechanical ventilation.

Exams often test diagnostic abilities, asking students to interpret patient data and make appropriate treatment decisions.

The complexity and practical nature of these questions make it difficult for students to maintain a high grade point average (GPA) throughout the program.

6. Patient Assessment

Patient assessment is a crucial skill that involves evaluating a patient’s respiratory status through patient history, physical examination, and interpretation of diagnostic tests.

This process requires attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to make informed clinical decisions based on the interpreted information.

Each patient’s situation is unique, demanding that students apply their knowledge in varied and often complex ways. This adds to the challenge of mastering this essential aspect of respiratory care.

7. Neonatal and Pediatric Care

Caring for children, especially newborns, involves understanding distinct anatomical and physiological differences compared to adult patients.

For instance, mechanical ventilation equipment for children differs in size and parameters, and diseases often present differently.

Students must grasp these nuances to provide effective care, making neonatal and pediatric care a significant hurdle in their education.

Additionally, the emotional aspect of working with young patients and their families adds an extra layer of complexity.

8. Troubleshooting

Respiratory care involves managing various machines and devices, such as mechanical ventilators and oxygen delivery systems, which can sometimes fail or encounter issues.

Respiratory therapists and students must quickly identify and resolve problems to ensure uninterrupted patient care. This requires a thorough understanding of device functionalities and a calm, analytical mindset under high-pressure situations.

The high-stakes environment and the intricate knowledge required for effective troubleshooting make this a significant challenge.

9. ABG Interpretation

Arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation is a critical yet challenging skill for respiratory therapy students. ABGs provide essential data about a patient’s oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base balance.

Students must accurately interpret these results to diagnose and manage a wide range of respiratory and metabolic conditions.

Mastering this skill is not only crucial during school but also for passing the board exams to become licensed respiratory therapists.

10. Staying Focused

Maintaining focus throughout respiratory therapy school is a common challenge. Students must absorb a vast amount of information, not just from textbooks and lectures, but also through hands-on clinical practice.

Juggling multiple responsibilities can lead to distractions, and fatigue and stress can further hinder concentration.

Many students struggle to keep their focus sharp amidst a demanding schedule, making this a significant obstacle to their success.

11. Decision Making

In clinical settings, respiratory therapists must make decisions that directly impact patient care, often under high stress or within tight time frames.

This involves selecting appropriate treatments, adjusting ventilator settings, or deciding on the need for further diagnostic tests.

Students must learn to analyze data, apply theoretical knowledge, and use clinical judgment while considering ethical and practical implications, making decision-making a significant challenge.

12. Calculations

Many people don’t realize the extent of math involved in respiratory therapy. Students must perform numerous calculations, from determining correct medication dosages to estimating oxygen tank duration.

This can be challenging, especially for those not comfortable with numbers.

However, the required math is straightforward once the formulas are understood. Learning to accurately perform these calculations is necessary for effective patient care.

13. Respiratory Diseases

Cardiopulmonary pathology, which involves understanding various respiratory diseases, is another challenging subject.

Students must learn about numerous conditions affecting the heart and lungs, each with unique causes, symptoms, and treatments. This includes common diseases like asthma and COPD, as well as rarer conditions like tuberculosis and myasthenia gravis.

Mastering this subject requires recognizing symptoms and determining appropriate treatments, making it a demanding area of study.

14. Pharmacology

Pharmacology is a critical component of respiratory therapy education, which involves the study of medications used to treat respiratory conditions.

Students must learn about various drugs, their mechanisms of action, dosages, side effects, and interactions. Understanding how to safely and effectively administer medications, such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids, is essential.

The vast amount of information and the precision required in pharmacology make it a challenging yet vital area for respiratory therapy students to master.

15. Clinical Rotations

Clinical rotations provide students with hands-on experience in healthcare settings, such as the ICU or emergency department.

This real-life practice is crucial for developing the skills needed to become a respiratory therapist.

However, transitioning from classroom learning to working with actual patients is a significant leap. Students must balance their theoretical knowledge with practical experience, making clinical rotations both essential and challenging.

16. Passing the TMC Exam

The Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Exam is a crucial test that every aspiring respiratory therapist must pass.

As one of the final hurdles, this comprehensive exam covers core fundamental concepts of respiratory care, including challenging subjects like patient assessment and mechanical ventilation.

While the TMC Exam is undeniably difficult, students can succeed with good study habits and the right preparation materials.

Proper preparation enables them to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve a passing score and advance in their careers.

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17. Passing the Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE)

The Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) is the final step for students to become credentialed as registered respiratory therapists (RRT).

This exam tests the application of learned knowledge to real-world scenarios, involving actual patient cases where decisions must be made based on unfolding events. Each scenario can diverge based on these decisions, adding to the stress.

The extensive knowledge required and the dynamic format make the CSE one of the most challenging board exams in the medical field.

However, with dedicated preparation and effective study materials, students can develop the skills needed to pass the CSE and become fully credentialed RRTs.

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Final Thoughts

Becoming a respiratory therapist is no easy feat. The journey involves mastering a vast array of knowledge, from understanding complex diseases to developing hands-on skills, and tackling some of the toughest exams in the field.

The unexpected math component can also be a surprise.

However, these challenges are merely stepping stones on the path to becoming a competent and successful respiratory therapist. The end goal is immensely rewarding: making a real difference in people’s lives through your expertise and care.

So, keep pushing forward, keep learning, and remember that every bit of the struggle is preparing you for an incredibly fulfilling career.

John Landry, BS, RRT

Written by:

John Landry, BS, RRT

John Landry is a registered respiratory therapist from Memphis, TN, and has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier and live a healthier life.

References

  • Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 12th ed., Mosby, 2020.
  • Clinical Application of Mechanical Ventilation. 4th ed., Cengage Learning, 2013.
  • Pilbeam’s Mechanical Ventilation: Physiological and Clinical Applications. 6th ed., Mosby, 2015.
  • Mosby’s Respiratory Care Equipment. 10th ed., Mosby, 2017.
  • Rau’s Respiratory Care Pharmacology. 10th ed., Mosby, 2019.
  • Wilkins’ Clinical Assessment in Respiratory Care. 8th ed., Mosby, 2017.
  • Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology: Essentials of Respiratory Care. 7th ed., Cengage Learning, 2019.
  • Clinical Manifestations and Assessment of Respiratory Disease. 8th ed., Mosby, 2019.
  • Ruppel’s Manual of Pulmonary Function Testing. 11th ed., Mosby, 2017.
  • Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care. 5th ed., Saunders, 2018.

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