The Busy Schedule of an RT Over the Holidays means an automatic day off for most professionals working in the United States. Moreover, this can’t be said for healthcare professionals, including respiratory care therapists. Injuries and illnesses don’t follow the calendar, so hospitals remain open 365 days a year. There are more emergency room cases during the holidays than on regular days. And respiratory care professionals play an integral role in any hospital setting.
Responsibilities of an RT During the Holiday Season
Respiratory therapists perform a wide range of duties and responsibilities throughout their day. A typical shift may include meeting and examining patients with pulmonary disorders, diseases, and complications. Other responsibilities may involve analyzing and performing diagnostic and function tests for assessing lung capability and capacity.
There is no getting around to the fact that respiratory therapists are required during the holidays. Their day remains more or less the same. In fact, the workload of working RTs increase during the holidays because of an increase in cold-season-related respiratory illnesses and staff crunch. Strong work ethics and professional integrity of respiratory therapists have already been seen following their unwavering dedication to patient care during covid-19 times.
The average person may feel respiratory therapists lament working during the holiday season. In reality, most healthcare professionals keep their personal needs aside to serve the larger community. The environment around the holidays can sometimes be ‘jolly’ in a hospital. Jolly and hospitals are not usually used together. But things are different everywhere during the holidays, and hospitals are not entirely immune to holiday cheer.
Patients and relatives are known to be in good spirits and appreciative. Having a positive outlook on health can play a significant role in improving health conditions. Many respiratory therapists end up with excellent stories as well. Unfortunately, holiday injuries are not skewed and range from various forms of car accidents and toy-related injuries to overindulgence.
Respiratory therapists and nurses are essential in treating such injured victims and patients. As per the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, heart-related deaths increase by about 5% during the holiday season. For the most part, working during the holidays is routine for respiratory therapists. The days are almost similar, except if the RT is lucky, there may be lighter moments.
RTs Work Hard Over Christmas and New Year
December is when people come together to spread holiday cheer. The opposite is true for healthcare professionals. Hospitals are usually full of people requiring medical care during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Respiratory therapists are, unfortunately, busier over the holidays.
Flu, colds, and other respiratory illnesses become more common during the winter season. This is partly because of the weakened resistance due to cold and dry air and partly because people spend more time indoors, allowing for easier transmission of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.
The cold season brings burgeoning cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) across the country. This mild flu-like condition can be dangerous to the elderly, young children, and anyone who is immunocompromised. Asthma attacks are another condition that keeps RT professionals on their toes during the holiday season.
Twenty-five million people are affected by Asthma in the United States. The cold season increases the risk of respiratory allergies, causing breathing disorders. Many healthcare facilities observe a rise in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is an umbrella term that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis – two primary types of obstructive lung disease.
Over 12 million people are believed to have COPD without an official diagnosis in the United States. Winter months are especially dangerous for such patients at an increased risk of requiring medical attention. Another major breathing disorder is cystic fibrosis (CF), which affects 35,000 people across the country. This genetic disorder can cause both breathing and digestive problems. The mucus in the body becomes thick because of CF, which can get aggravated during the holiday season.
Bronchitis is another breathing disorder that causes the windpipe to be inflamed or irritated. The bronchial tube lining secretes excess mucus in response to the inflammation. This can make breathing difficult and require medical attention.
Whooping cough or pertussis is a serious and highly contagious bacterial infection that can get aggravated during the cold season. Whooping cough is known to affect young children and infants. Without respiratory therapists assisting doctors at healthcare facilities, the holiday season may not be as cheerful for some patients.
When is the Best Time to Focus on CEUs for Respiratory Therapists?
Respiratory therapists perform significant duties in a healthcare setting. Almost all state boards require continuing respiratory care education for license renewal in the field of respiratory therapy. This is because of the various advancements happening in the medical field. Respiratory therapists require continuing education to stay abreast of updates and developments.
Based on this, the busy schedule of a respiratory care professional can make it challenging to find an AARC-approved provider for RT CEUs. You probably don’t have the time to worry about respiratory CEUs during the holiday season between your work and personal obligations. About this, license renewal can quickly creep up. You may not be able to maintain an active license without satisfying continuing education requirements. January is considered one of the best months to focus on continuing education courses.
You probably did not have the holiday week to spend relaxing in front of the fire. But you can take time off after the holiday season to catch up on getting the necessary continuing education hours. Taking this into account, you would need to find an approved provider of relevant online courses, such as TheCEPlace, so that you can still plan enjoyable activities with your friends and family.
Burnout is common among healthcare professionals. Online courses following self-study mode can allow you to complete the course at your own pace. This will help you attain the right work-life balance without compromising on the future of your career. There are several steps you can take to be better prepared for achieving your respiratory care education CRCE in 2023:
- Complete all pending tasks when you have time. Make the most of your work schedule and complete the required job responsibilities during the holiday season.
- Make sure you plan ahead, so you don’t lose out on precious time with your family and friends.
- Choose your course provider and courses before time, so you have everything ready.
Most license renewals happen at the end of the year. You can manage your work, personal life, and continuing education needs in a better manner by getting started in January. In addition, if you worked the holiday season, you would probably have the necessary goodwill among your colleagues to focus on your CEUs.
Sign Up for Continuing RT Online Courses Today!
TheCEPlace offers specially designed and peer-reviewed CEUs for respiratory therapists and registered nurses. Time constraints increase when working as a respiratory therapist. It’s highly likely that you don’t have the time to search for a course provider approved by the American Association for Respiratory Care.
Unfortunately, the required respiratory CEUs may become due even before you know it. TheCEPlace offers American Association for Respiratory Care accredited courses for respiratory therapists and registered nursing professionals. Every RT is required to obtain the necessary CEU credits. Our courses are designed to help you achieve the continuing education credits you need quickly and easily.
The courses are developed by academicians, medical professionals, and researchers to ensure you get the most relevant and updated information possible. They are peer-reviewed and made accessible through a sophisticated online platform. You can get unlimited access to online courses that are most appropriate per your state requirements.
TheCEPlace is approved for providing continuing education credits in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Our state-of-the-art registration portal will let you know the required hours to obtain to qualify for your state’s license renewal requirement. When you register, you will be informed of the specific guidelines of your state’s medical board.
For instance, Virginia requires 20 hours of continuing education credits, while Pennsylvania requires 30 hours. California board requires respiratory care professionals to complete 15 hours of continuing education for their first license renewal and 30 hours of continuing education for every subsequent renewal.
Signing up for online continuing education courses was never easier. You don’t need to limit your schedule by signing up for online seminars or live conferences. Instead, you can register with TheCEPlace and download the books. Read them at your own pace wherever you want. A simple test at the end of the course can be taken multiple times at no additional charge. You can access your CEU certificate once you complete the test.
TheCEPlace is the Right Choice When You Want Best-in-Class Continuing Respiratory Care Education
TheCEPlace is an approved provider of continuing education units for RTs and RNs. We understand your needs when it comes to continuing education requirements. Our courses are designed to help you attain the most information in the simplest possible way. Access a broad range of CEUs today. Sign up with TheCEPlace for new online RT courses. To get started, call us today at 833-388-2600 or complete our online form.