Respiratory Nurse Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming a Respiratory Nurse

There are many opportunities available for nurses to specialize in a particular type of medicine. Respiratory nurses are those who choose to focus on the care and treatment of individuals with health conditions related to the lungs.

Job Description

The role of respiratory nurses is to promote good pulmonary (lung) health within individuals, families and communities. By building close relationships with doctors and patients in their community, respiratory nurses educate the public on the importance of healthy breathing and proper exercise in people of all ages.
 
Respiratory nurses are typically involved in the prevention, care and treatment of conditions such as:
  • asthma
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • cystic fibrosis
  • emphysema (lung cancer)
  • respiratory failure
  • tuberculosis.
 
Respiratory nurses meet with patients who are suffering from the conditions listed above, and help develop personal treatment plans to suit patient needs. This can include counseling the patient on prescribed medications, weaning them away from ventilators and helping them to incite lifestyle changes that affect pulmonary health.
 
Prevention of the above conditions is also a part of the role of respiratory nurses. Since many of these conditions have been linked to smoking and the use of tobacco products, respiratory nurses may be involved in educating patients and community members on the effects of tobacco use. Likewise, the spread of some lung conditions can often be prevented through proactive public health measures. Respiratory nurses may take an active role in making sure that important health information is delivered to the public in a timely and effective manner.

Salary Guide

According to estimated national averages, the salary for a respiratory nurse starts around $55,000 annually, with potential to earn approximately $80,000 a year in a senior-level position. The difference in salary depends on a number of factors, such geography, education, experience and employing health facility. Public health facilities and non-profit organizations may not pay as much as private practices or specialty clinics.

Education and Training

Becoming a respiratory nurse requires first becoming a professional nurse. Those wishing to pursue a nursing career must, at minimum, hold an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a diploma from an approved hospital program. You must also pass a licensing exam.
  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing: An ADN can be attained through an approved community or junior college nursing program, and takes about two to three years to complete. Some of the basic curriculum in this course includes physical and psychiatric studies, supervised clinical experience and courses in physical education and liberal arts. Once achieved, an ADN can be used to obtain licensure as a registered nurse.
 
  • Bachelor's of Science in Nursing: BSN programs are offered by colleges and universities and can be used to broaden the scope and depth of student nursing skills. Many registered nurses pursue their BSN after completing their ADN. Some employers may offer work-sponsored ADN-to-BSN programs. Those wishing to pursue advanced respiratory nursing careers may find more opportunities available to them with the completion of a BSN.
 
  • Diploma from an approved hospital program: Some hospitals offer diploma programs to individuals interested becoming a professional nurse. Such programs take about three years to complete and generally offer the same entry-level opportunities as those holding an ADN.
 
If you are interested in becoming a respiratory nurse, you may want to talk to an educational institution about specific electives or other opportunities related to respiratory and/or pulmonary health.

Prior Work Experience

Since respiratory nurses share the same basic education requirements as other nurses, work experience is key in further developing their skills in pulmonary health. Many respiratory nurses begin as critical care nurses in hospitals. They have extensive experience performing assessments for respiratory ailments, administering oxygen therapies, working with assisted ventilation and performing related tasks.
 
Respiratory nurses who wish to be involved in public health at a greater scale will benefit from experience in public speaking and basic education techniques. Such skills become invaluable to offering community preventive health measures, such as smoking cessation classes.

Career Advancement

Respiratory nurses have a variety of opportunities available to them after becoming a professional nurse. From an entry-level position as a staff nurse, a respiratory nurse can become a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, supervisor, manager, coordinator, director, nurse educator, research nurse or an administration executive.
 
The extent to which these positions are available to a respiratory nurse depends largely on their employer. Respiratory nurses can work in hospitals, extended care centers, private companies, educational institutions, public health departments and private practices. Some respiratory nurses may also choose to start their own practice.

Related Associations and Groups

  • American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
  • American Association of Respiratory Care
  • American College of Chest Physicians
  • Global Initiative for Asthma
  • Respiratory Nursing Society.
 
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