Respiratory Nurse

Respiratory Nurse

By EveryNurse Staff on January 10, 2023

Respiratory Nurse

A respiratory nurse is a specialized nursing professional that helps treat patients who are suffering from respiratory problems. As a respiratory nurse, you will often care for patients who suffer from acute and chronic respiratory illnesses. Some examples may include bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer.

What Is a Respiratory Nurse?

The respiratory system consists of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs, and it is one of the most important systems in the body. When we inhale, air travels down the trachea and into the bronchi, located in the lungs. The oxygen in the air that we inhale is then delivered to other parts of the body via the circulatory system. Problems in the respiratory system can result in trouble breathing and problems in other areas of the body. Proper treatment for respiratory problems is essential since these problems can sometimes even be fatal.

Respiratory nurses work closely with patients of all ages to address respiratory health issues. This typically involves patient assessment, physical examinations, reviewing patient medical histories, monitoring and recording vital signs, and discussing symptoms. As a rehabilitation nurse, you will also frequently need to measure your patients’ lung capacity and volume.

What Does a Respiratory Nurse Do?

A respiratory nurse is a nurse who specializes in the care of patients with complex respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and lung cancer. A respiratory nurse assesses, plans, and implements treatments for acute respiratory disorders. They can help manage care for patients by overseeing patient’s medications and providing assistance during emergency situations. They are experts in evaluating the condition and response of patients to therapy. They prescribe various respiratory therapies through oral, nasal, or liquid forms. This is important because most health problems that occur with diseases in the lungs or heart need to be managed through medication, oxygen treatment, or being transported to a hospital.

Additional job duties include the following:

  • Conducting diagnostic test to assess lung capability and capacity
  • Administering treatments such as oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, and chest physiotherapy
  • Educating patients and their families about respiratory health
  • Train patients how to administer treatment on their own while at home
  • Analyze sputum and blood in the lab
  • Maintain updated charts and records
  • Assisting and collaborating with physicians, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.

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Where Do Respiratory Nurses Work?

Respiratory nurses work in a variety of settings in addition to traditional hospitals, outpatient facilities, and long-term nursing care centers. Many respiratory nurses visit patients in their homes for evaluation and treatment or travel to diagnostic labs and treatment centers for consultations. 

Aside from hospitals, where approximately 75% of respiratory nurses are employed, it is common to find respiratory nurses working in the following healthcare settings:

  • Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Centers
  • Cardiopulmonary Diagnostic Labs
  • In-Home Care
  • Long-term Nursing Care Facilities
  • Sleep Disorder Centers

Respiratory Nurse Salary

According to salary data published by ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a respiratory nurse in the U.S. is $102,173, as of June 2, 2021. This is the equivalent of $49 per hour or $8,514 per month. 

Based on active postings to local job boards across the United States, ZipRecruiter estimates that respiratory nurses earn salaries as high as $165,000, but a majority of top earners who fall between the 75th and 90th percentile will earn $142,000 to $158,000 annually. 

Additional Resources for Respiratory Nurses

Respiratory Nurse FAQ

A respiratory nurse needs to complete either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s nursing program from an accredited nursing program. Many respiratory nurses obtain a master’s degree in respiratory therapy with a focus on respiratory health or pulmonary. This empowers them to help people recover from diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. These nurses can also perform procedures like intubation to help people who cannot breathe on their own due to illness, injury, or medical conditions.

Given the scope of work, respiratory nurses need to have specialized knowledge of respiratory diseases. In addition, they must have the skills to both treat and care for patients. For example, they need to know how to use medical equipment, keep accurate patient records, and provide instructions on how to take care of patients with other members of the health care team. In addition, they need to be able to do and show understanding and compassion for patients and make them feel comfortable in the hospital setting.

Respiratory nursing is a great career in terms of salary potential since it’s specialized. This is an in-demand career that’s expected to grow as there is growth in the middle-aged and older population which translates into an increased need for respiratory testing, care, and treatments. This job can be demanding from a patient care perspective since their respective respiratory problems can be severe.

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