Initially, my intention upon graduating from respiratory school was to pursue a career in pediatrics. At the time there were no job openings in the pediatric department at that time. However, there were opportunities available in the adult division, and after starting to work with adult patients, I could not imagine leaving that patient population. However, I still wanted to work with pediatric patients. When the opportunity to apply for a position on the float team arose, I submitted my application. Now allowing me to work in both patient populations.

In my role as a Respiratory Therapist, I collaborate with various teams to assist in the management of patients' respiratory health. As an RT, I am involved in providing respiratory care across different departments of the hospital, including the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and general floors. I am part of the float pool, which requires me to work at Main, ART, and Shawn Jenkins interchangeably. Respiratory therapists help assist doctors during intubations and bronchoscopies. When the patient is intubated, RTs help with managing the ventilator.

Working in various areas of the hospital allows me to have the opportunity to interact with diverse patient populations, enhancing my experience as an RT. At MUSC, I am fortunate to have exposure to a range of specialized units including burn, trauma, cardiovascular, medical/surgical, and pediatric ICUs. I collaborate with various fields, such as speech therapists, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, as well as doctors.

The hospital environment presents various challenges, with busy days that demand prioritization of patients based on their diagnoses. Dealing with the stresses of this environment is important since hospital workers often encounter situations that are unfamiliar to most individuals. It is important to develop coping strategies and maintain a positive mindset to avoid getting emotionally drained.