Respiratory Therapist to Registered Nurse

Summary: None of the 5 core skills listed for Registered Nurse match Respiratory Therapist word for word, but 2 build on related experience. The US median salary changes by +21% ($68K → $82K). Difficulty: Challenging, typically around 9 months of focused upskilling.

The two roles

Respiratory Therapist: Treat patients with breathing disorders and manage ventilators.

Registered Nurse: Provide patient care and coordinate treatment in healthcare settings. Growth outlook +6%; AI-resistant. Typical education: associate. Typical experience: Entry with degree.

Skills that carry over

None of the listed skills match word for word, but the related experience below transfers.

Builds on related experience

• Patient Care — builds on Respiratory Care
• Clinical Skills — builds on Respiratory Care

Skills to learn for Registered Nurse

• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• EMR Systems

Salary comparison (median, estimated)

Salary figures are estimates benchmarked against public compensation data — see methodology.

Next steps

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Related

Respiratory Therapist career guide | Registered Nurse career guide

Other transitions to consider

• Respiratory Therapist to EMT/Paramedic — 4 of the core skills carry over
• Respiratory Therapist to Physical Therapist — 2 of the core skills carry over
• Respiratory Therapist to Occupational Therapist — 3 of the core skills carry over
• Respiratory Therapist to Physician/Doctor — 2 of the core skills carry over
• Physician/Doctor to Registered Nurse — 3 of the core skills carry over
• Occupational Therapist to Registered Nurse — 3 of the core skills carry over
• Home Health Aide to Registered Nurse — 3 of the core skills carry over
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to Registered Nurse — 3 of the core skills carry over