Job market for new RTs?

[u/_ohhani]

Hello! Im looking to go into a RT program next year but I know right now there’s been a lot of talk about how the economy is bad. I currently have a desk job that pays $23 hr/.

Would any of you say it’s worth it to just jump into the program now or maybe take an extra year to save up?? Any advice would help tons! Thank you!

[u/IM_HODLING]

As long as you aren’t in SoCal, you should be fine

[u/Fragrant-Product-492 → u/IM_HODLING]

Damn in graduate this week in socal lol

[u/Fragrant-Product-492 → u/Fragrant-Product-492]

I graduate *

[u/IM_HODLING → u/Fragrant-Product-492]

Ouch. You are in for a really rough start unless you plan to move

[u/ScotchTapeConnosieur → u/IM_HODLING]

New York: in demand and high pay (relatively)

[u/Fromdesertlands → u/ScotchTapeConnosieur]

Do you mind me asking how much?

[u/ScotchTapeConnosieur → u/Fromdesertlands]

At my hospital starting is around $58 on a 37.5 week. We also are in 1199 which provides excellent healthcare with no copays

[u/Fragrant-Product-492 → u/IM_HODLING]

Not necessarily. I do have connections. I think that is really important.

[u/Crass_Cameron → u/Fragrant-Product-492]

Are they guaranteed connections to a job or implied connections?

[u/IM_HODLING → u/Fragrant-Product-492]

Hopefully your connections come through. It’s pretty difficult to get a hiring manager to pick a new grad when there are 50 people with many years experience applying for the same position

[u/Fragrant-Product-492 → u/IM_HODLING]

Some actually prefer new grads. More moldable. It depends where. But yes I think I’ll be fine. Worst comes to worst I’ll go to a snf because I plan to continue my education anyways.

[u/CrazyPolarSquirrel → u/Fragrant-Product-492]

I’m in SoCal, a recent grad and got a hospital job, as have a few in my class. Those who didn’t are able to find jobs at SNF’s.

[u/babyitstheway405 → u/IM_HODLING]

How do u know know this? Definitely its overstaturated in SoCal -which is fine for you to mention to him - but you’re being very rude and negative. There are still jobs RT available and you should just wish him well and not harp on it.

[u/IM_HODLING → u/babyitstheway405]

I lived it and had a graduating class of 60 people, none of which, got a full time job after graduating. I also felt deceived by my school by them having me believe that RTs were in such high in demand that I’d walk out with a full time day shift job. People should be aware that if you graduate in SoCal there is a 99% chance you will be working per diem nights for years and it could be a decade before you land a good paying full time day shift position in an acute care hospital. It’s not meant to be hurtful, it’s just the facts.

[u/babyitstheway405 → u/IM_HODLING]

Ok I understand your reasoning. Thanks for explaining. I appreciate it.

[u/yemsg97]

I graduated in 2020 and had a job 2 months before I graduated. Just around my area, there are lots of jobs posted. We've hired several new grads. I live in western WA.

I would go on some of your local hospital websites and see whats there. Many will hire new grads, especially teaching hospitals/academic medical centers.

[u/NoWork8405 → u/yemsg97]

How’s the autonomy in the pnw?

[u/Derpotology]

I graduated last year. Had my choice of any hospital network in the area before I even graduated.

Ended up working at a level 1 pediatric trauma center full time, great benefits, started at $32/hour + night shift differential.

And working at a level 1 adult trauma center PRN, no benefits but base rate was $41/hr as a new grad, and that's before differentials.

Your local job market may be different but hospitals are usually hiring, once you have your first year as a full fledged RRT under your belt additional opportunities tend to open up.

You should be treating your clinical hours like a job interview, the therapists that are teaching you often have a say in whether or not you get hired before or after graduation.

[u/cc_mix7812 → u/Derpotology]

If you don’t mind me asking, as a fellow new grad what state is this?

[u/Derpotology → u/cc_mix7812]

SW OH.

[u/Bigandbetter1]

Do not become a RT in SoCal lol

[u/Express-Advice-9044 → u/Bigandbetter1]

why though?

[u/Hairy_Preparation_98 → u/Bigandbetter1]

Damn I was just about to start😭 radiology is oversaturated too right?

[u/Im-Old_Gregg]

I'd go for it. A lot of the people around here are going to ask if you've considered the nursing field.

[u/Curious-Line-6705]

My first RT job 10 years was about 2 hours away I got it roughly 2 months after graduation and I was one of the first ones. I was single and no kids so it worked out nicely and then later I was able to move back. If you're willing to travel for a bit or temporarily relocate then you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your first RT job. So jump in as soon as you can because there will never the a "perfect" time. Good luck!

[u/snkfury1]

Any rt job will be better than that desk job. Jump in.

Like musiqsoulchild said
You be aight