¶ … education at Valencia College, where I am studying to be a respiratory therapist. I want to continue my education, with the hope of attending the University of Central Florida. The University of Central Florida does not offer a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory therapy, but does offer a wide range of degrees related to the medical field. I intend to pursue a B.S. In Health-Sciences, Pre-Clinical undergraduate degree. I feel that this will give me the educational background I need to place me in a competitive position for graduate or professional training, while exposing me to a wide variety of occupations in the medical field. The four-year university that I have selected is the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. It is a competitive university with a student body of just under 50,000 (49,900) students (Petersons, 2013). The average in-state tuition rate seems reasonable at $6,247 per academic year (Petersons, 2013). Furthermore, they have on-campus housing options that may make living near school more affordable. I enjoy the fact that the school has a diverse population, with a slightly higher number of female than male students and a high degree of ethnic diversity. I like the idea of attending school in Orlando, because I have already established a life in central Florida. I find the tuition and fees to be reasonable for a four-year university. I am interested in the total community approach taken by the health care school and enjoy that health and public policy are treated under the same umbrella. Finally, I am intrigued by a general health undergraduate degree, which will place me in a flexible position if I choose to pursue a graduate-level education.

"The Health Sciences Pre-Clinical Program is not a limited access major. There is no program application that needs to be completed besides the Undergraduate Admissions Application. It is through this application that the major in Health Sciences Pre-Clinical is declared. Once admittance to the University is granted, no additional application is required. (University of Central Florida, Health-Sciences, 2013). Because I will have completed an A.A. from a Florida public community college, I need to: have a minimum overall 2.0 cumulative GPA; have completed two college-level English composition courses with a C. Or better; have completed two college-level Mathematics courses with a C. Or better; and satisfy the foreign language requirement with either high school or college-level courses (University of Central Florida, Transfer Applicants, 2013). There are no specific course requirements for my desired degree program.

Fortunately, the University of Central Florida works with prospective transfer students to ease the transfer process. They have a division known as the Transfer and Transition Services, which works with students before they are admitted through the transition and transfer. They even have campus advisors at some locations, including Valencia East. The application deadline for fall 2013 is July 1, 2013. The application is online. The financial aid application is the standard FAFSA application and is due March 1, 2013, but late applicants may be eligible for leftover financial aid. Using the net price calculator available on the University website, I have determined that my yearly cost should be $15,816 and that I will be eligible for approximately $1,500 in grants, leaving me in need of an additional $13,916 per year. Because I will receive credit for most of the coursework done to obtain my A.A., I believe that I can complete my B.S. In 2 1/2 years, for a total of $39,450. This cost includes my living expenses during college. In order to have my financial aid transferred to the University of Central Florida, I need to request that the Federal Processor forward the information to UCF, using the code #003954. I can do this from the FAFSA on the Web home page, and submit UCF's code as a correction, I can call [HIDDEN] FED AID and have them add UCF for me, as long as I have the DRN from my Student Aid Report, or I can add UCF to the colleges listed on my SAR and send that to the Federal Processor for corrections. The UCF website will then provide me with a to-do list of things I need to do to get financial aid. I have identified the Aweber Email Marketing Scholarship as one for which I would qualify as a transfer student who will be enrolled full time. I need to submit a survey answering two questions about how...

The amount of the award is $1,000.
After graduation, I believe that my A.A. In respiratory care and my B.S. In Health Sciences Pre-Clinical will prepare me for a field in the medical career. Specifically, I would look at being a respiratory therapist. The A.A. In respiratory care is sufficient for my entry-level education, so that my B.S. would place in a competitive position with other applicants (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). The median pay is $26.10 per hour, which is an annual salary of $54,280 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). The field is growing at 28% per year, which means that I will be in a good position for employment (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). A respiratory therapist takes care of patients with breathing issues, including those with chronic conditions such as emphysema and acute conditions resulting from heart attacks and similar traumas. Unfortunately, the general nature of my desired B.S. degree and the specific nature of my A.A. do not place me in a very competitive position for other employment. Related jobs such as registered nurse, athletic trainer, and occupational therapist all require specialized education. However, I would meet the qualifications for medical assistants, home health-care aids, nursing aids, orderlies, or attendants in a medical setting. Because these careers have a median pay that is less than half that of the respiratory therapist, I would only intend to pursue those careers if unable to secure a position as a respiratory therapist.

In the interview with the respiratory therapist, I found out many things about my chosen career path that have me feeling that it is the appropriate path for me. First, I found out that it is very rewarding to help people learn how to breathe better. Next, I found out that the pay reflects the high demands of the growing medical field. Furthermore, I found out that the hours are more reasonable than in many other segments of the medical field. However, there were some negatives in the interview. First, I had not considered that death and dying would be an integral part of the job. Next, I had not realized that many of my clients would be resistant to therapy and be struggling with depression. This made me aware that I need to ensure that I am doing sufficient self-care when I embark upon my career.

Writing this paper has helped me come to a better understanding of what it will take to be a respiratory therapist. I understand that my A.A. will be sufficient to begin my career, and may even consider working my way through school once I transfer to UCF. I learned the requirements for transferring to UCF. I also discovered a degree that would place me in a competitive position for many healthcare positions, if I chose to move up in my career. This paper has helped solidify my belief that becoming a respiratory therapist is the appropriate choice for me at this point in time, but also made me aware that I have a wealth of opportunities in the healthcare field.

Interview

1. What experience or knowledge is required to do your job?

I needed an A.A. In respiratory care to get the job, but I have found that what I learn on the job has been very helpful. Knowledge of the body and how the lungs function is critical. Some basic knowledge of psychology is also critical, because it's my job to get patients to do things.

2. How do Valencia's Competencies (think, value, communicate, act) apply to this career?

I believe that value really impacts a therapist's career, because I have to value the individual in order to encourage them to participate in therapies that may be difficult and even painful for them.

3. What types of projects, assignments or deadlines must you meet each day (What is a typical day on the job)?

A typical day on the job involves meeting people at appointment times, conducting their therapy, and, by the end of the day, completing paperwork for each patient.

4. Does your job require overtime and what is your work schedule?

My job does not generally require overtime. Our clinic keeps hours from 6am to 8pm in order to accommodate a variety of people; my schedule is 6am to 3pm.

5. What is a typical entry level salary range for this field? (It is not appropriate to ask your interviewee's salary!) I think that the low to mid 30s is entry-level for someone with an A.A. And no experience in the field.

6.…