7 Tips and Resources for Respiratory Therapist Students

If you're a respiratory therapist student, you've got a lot on your plate. You're learning everything from anatomy and physiology to patient care, and you need to be prepared to pass your licensing exam when the time comes. But don't worry, we've got you covered with some tips and resources that will help you succeed and pass your licensing exam.

1. Take practice exams

Practice exams are a great way to prepare for the real thing. This can’t be stressed enough. It may be helpful to even replicate the environment for when you’ll take the real test just so you can “practice how you perform”.

Practice exams also help you identify areas where you need more practice and get you familiar with the format of the exam. There are plenty of resources online where you can find practice exams for respiratory therapy.

Respiratory therapist students need to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) licensing exam to become certified and licensed respiratory therapists. The exam consists of two parts: the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE).

There are several online resources where students can find free practice exams for the TMC, including:

1. The NBRC website: The NBRC offers a free online practice exam for the TMC. This exam consists of 20 questions and is a great way to get a sense of the types of questions you will encounter on the actual exam.

2. Respiratory Therapy Zone: Respiratory Therapy Zone offers a free TMC practice exam that consists of 160 multiple-choice questions. This exam is designed to simulate the actual TMC exam and provides detailed explanations for each answer.

3. Union Test Prep: Union Test Prep offers a free TMC practice exam that consists of 160 multiple-choice questions. This exam is designed to help students identify areas where they need more practice and get familiar with the format of the TMC exam.

2. Use flashcards

Flashcards are a tried-and-true study technique. They're portable, easy to use, and great for memorizing terms and concepts. Try making your own flashcards or using an online resource like Flashcard Lab or Quizlet.

Here are some examples of topics that can be effectively studied with flashcards:

- Pharmacology: Flashcards can be used to memorize drug names, doses, and indications for common respiratory medications such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antibiotics.

- Anatomy and physiology: Flashcards can be used to memorize the names and functions of the respiratory system's various structures, such as the trachea, bronchi, alveoli, and diaphragm.

- Ventilation and oxygenation: Flashcards can be used to memorize the different types of mechanical ventilation, including pressure-controlled and volume-controlled modes. You can also create flashcards to memorize the steps involved in arterial blood gas analysis and interpreting ABG results.

- Patient assessment and management: Flashcards can be used to memorize the steps involved in performing a thorough respiratory assessment, including assessing breath sounds, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate. You can also create flashcards to memorize the steps involved in administering oxygen therapy, including the different delivery methods and flow rates.

Shameless plug: Flashcard Lab is a Google Sheets add-on that allows you to customize the study material to your liking, is simple and easy to use. You can add material that is relevant to you and your study style to help you pass the NBRC licensing exam. Try it out for free (mobile app too). Here is a list of flashcards to get you started!

3. Watch videos

There are plenty of YouTube channels and other online resources where you can find videos on respiratory therapy topics. Watching videos can help you understand concepts in a more visual way and make studying more enjoyable. For example, Respiratory Therapy Zone is a YouTube channel that features videos on a wide range of respiratory therapy topics, including mechanical ventilation, oxygenation, and patient assessment. The videos are presented by respiratory therapists and are designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of key concepts.

4. Join professional organizations

Joining a professional organization like the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) can provide you with access to resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education opportunities.

5. Attend study groups

Studying with others is a great way to reinforce what you've learned and get a fresh perspective on difficult topics. Plus, it's more fun than studying alone! Try joining a study group with your classmates or finding one online.

6. Use online resources

There are plenty of websites and online resources available for respiratory therapy students. Check out Respiratory Therapy Cave for starters.

Open Respiratory Archive is a website that offers a collection of open-access articles and resources on respiratory therapy topics, including mechanical ventilation, pulmonary function testing, and sleep medicine.

The Merck Manual offers an extensive resource for respiratory disorders that can help respiratory therapy students learn more about the pathophysiology and management of various respiratory conditions.

Registered Respiratory Therapist Exam (RRT) Prep Group is a Facebook group is dedicated to helping respiratory therapy students prepare for the RRT exam. Members can ask questions, share study tips, and connect with other students who are preparing for the exam.

7. Find a mentor

A mentor can provide you with guidance, advice, and support as you navigate your respiratory therapy studies. Consider reaching out to a respiratory therapist in your area or connecting with a mentor through a professional organization.

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Congratulations, future respiratory therapists! You've made it to the end of this blog post, and hopefully, you're feeling a little bit more confident and prepared for your licensing exam. Remember, studying doesn't have to be dull and boring. By using flashcards, taking practice exams, and watching informative YouTube videos, you can make the study process more engaging and even enjoyable. And don't forget to take care of yourself along the way! Make sure to take breaks, get enough sleep, and treat yourself to a well-deserved snack or two. With a little bit of hard work and some helpful resources, you'll be well on your way to acing that exam and starting your career as a respiratory therapist. Good luck!