Published on: 28 November 2017
Last Updated on: 10 September 2024
You probably do not need anyone to tell you how important sleep is. If you have ever been kept awake by a crying baby, night after night; or you have crammed for exams until the early hours, for days on end, you know about the effects lack of sleep can have. If you do not get enough good quality sleep, you can end up looking pale and wrinkled. You can also be irritable and lacking in patience.
Obviously, this is not an ideal situation to be in. But, it gets worse when you consider the detrimental effect that sleep deprivation can have on your performance in work.
The basic effects of being over tired
The basic effects of not sleeping as much as you should, or of having your sleep interrupted, are obvious. You lose the ability to focus properly and surroundings and events become fuzzy. You may fall asleep behind your desk or at a meeting. You are also more likely to struggle to concentrate, making mistakes more likely.
The link between memory and sleep
Although there is some dispute in the matter, many experts believe that your memory is set when you sleep. You learn information one day, it sets in your memory overnight, and you are able to recall it the following day. There is some evidence that if this process is interrupted by lack of sleep, your memory can be adversely affected. This is not something you want to happen if you are learning a new job, or you need to make an important speech at a business conference.
How to improve your sleep pattern
The good news is that there are ways in which you can start to increase the amount of good quality sleep that you get.
Do not work or watch TV in bed; stick to sleeping.
Make sure you sleep on the right mattress, such as a Lull mattress; read an in-depth review here.
Try to go to sleep, and wake-up, at the same time each day.
Switch off electrical devices when you are in bed so that you are not adversely affected by blue light.
Sleep in a room which is as dark as possible.
Relax for a couple of hours before you go to bed.
Adopting any, or all, of these ideas, can help you get the sleep you need in order to perform well at your job.
The benefits you get from sleeping well
We have shown you how to improve the quantity and quality of sleep. But, how does doing so help improve the way you perform at work? Here are some improvements which are likely to happen.
Full awareness and participation at meetings.
Less chance of errors occurring.
Improved productivity because you are able to concentrate.
Better working relationships as you are less likely to be irritable.
All of these improvements are likely to lead to an overall improvement in your job performance.
If you are continuously tired, you are not going to perform as well as you can, at work. This is why it’s so important to consider the tips we have given you, and make changes to your daily routine that enable you to get the right amount of good quality sleep each night.
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Each profession demands certain types of talents and skillfulness. However, it's critical for everyone in the workplace to possess a set of general professional qualities, demonstrating well-rounded competence.
In addition, we are living in a highly competitive space where people constantly fight for a spot. Alternatively, we continuously seek ways to enhance our skills, striving to stand out in our chosen career paths. As long as you keep this spirit, you can overcome most job challenges.
With a dedication to continual learning and responsibility, professionals can stay ahead on the career ladder. Further, they are more prone to new opportunities as they can make a lasting contribution to their industry.
Top 10 Professional Qualities To Keep In Mind
Aspiring professionals must strive to develop diverse qualities that can ultimately impact themselves, their clients, their colleagues, and the organization. This is true for everyone, whether you are a seasoned or a fresh graduate.
Moreover, success and progression in one's career are not limited by age. We all have different success timelines. But as long as you have a growth mindset and a solid set of qualities, you can go a long way.
While some are lucky to be born with the “wow” factor, others do not. This is why many enroll in professional behavioral coaching. After all, being a so-called professional can be learned.
Read on as we discuss the significant traits you should aspire for!
1 Eager To Learn
If you are familiar with Tim Clarke’s book, “4 Stages of Psychological Safety,” you would know how crucial it is to develop a learner mindset. You are more likely to encounter many clueless moments at work if you are a new hire.
A person who is willing to learn can go a long way. Your eagerness can make you ask questions, make mistakes, and ask for help without fearing embarrassment or humiliation by your peers.
2 Can Remain Calm Under Pressure And Stress
Not all can ace this one. Staying composed under stressful scenarios implies how professional an individual can be. Rather than zoning out or focusing more on the chaos, remaining poised allows you to maintain healthy relationships.
This is because intense situations often trigger most people. They tend to do things they must not do.
3 Being Collaborative And Responsible
If you are working on a bigger space, you must have an aura that can make you likable and pleasant to work with. Mastering such quality can get you more projects.
A quick tip here is to allow your coworkers to share their insights. Let them contribute. This way, you can build an imaginary string that binds everyone on the team.
4 Exhibiting Leadership Abilities
It does not matter whether you are not the CEO yet. An exemplary professional can lead a team effectively. Fortunately, various programs can help you with this particular skill. For instance, you can apply for executive coaching programs that provide psychological safety exercises.
Also, professionals who can lead are more likely to receive promotions, better job offers, and pay raises.
5 Can Operate In The Highest Level Of Integrity
Whether in a personal or professional setting, integrity is essential to practice. Cognitive behavioral coaching techniques can help you succeed in being trustworthy and practicing honesty regarding decisions.
Having integrity makes people feel safer in letting you work on major assignments involving private information.
6 Self-Motivated And Solution-Oriented
Most bosses and executives appreciate employees who excel at tasks without supervision. This is because a self-motivated individual tends to stay on track more than those who are not.
On top of that, a professional must be solution-oriented. When an issue arises, these people will provide proactive solutions, not band-aid ones. They can offer practical ways on how to fix the problem.
7 Has A Positive Attitude
No one prefers to work with a consistently pessimistic individual. Your positive attitude can contribute to a healthier working environment, inspiring others to do and feel the same.
Aside from that, optimistic people are most likely to find solutions rather than dwell on the situation. This can help achieve more company goals in the long run.
8 Confident
Again, let us talk about the book “The Four Stages of Psychological Safety” by Timothy R Clarke. His book’s first stage states that humans desire acceptance. When we feel valued and appreciated, we tend to be more confident.
This highlights the importance of choosing a workplace that values inclusive. Your coworkers must operate without hate and discrimination.
9 Comfortable With Failure
While we strive for perfection, it's inevitable to encounter failure at times. In the complex world of entrepreneurship where many things can go wrong, an employee capable of transforming negatives into positives can be invaluable.
Being comfortable with failure can be tough to master. But once you do, you can become unstoppable.
10 Equipped With Executive Coaching Training
If you're eager to excel in your chosen field, it would be prudent to invest in training programs that can enhance your workplace performance. A leadership coach can help you navigate the intricacies of the corporate world.
For some, the concept of psychological safety in the workplace may be unfamiliar. To explain, psychological safety training is a framework that assists businesses and organizations in attaining their goals while supporting all members.
Fortunately, a wide variety of executive coaching services are available to cater to the needs of every professional. Here's a list to consider:
Executive Leadership Coaching
Performance Management Coaching
Corporate Coaching
Solution-Focused Coaching
CEO Coaching
Career Coaching
Executive Business Coaching
A reputable coaching organization recognizes individual progress. For instance, they can give you behavioral coaching certification that you can add to your resume. This shows how you are eager for growth and development.
Conclusion
We can make significant professional contributions, particularly if we maintain a growth-oriented mindset and embrace coaching behaviors. Understanding how to foster psychological safety at work can be challenging. A well-respected coach can help you with that.
These experts provide the necessary tools for workplace success. Moreover, they can serve as your accountability partner, aiding your personal and professional growth.
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C-suite leadership is a challenging position. The top executives are responsible for setting an organization's strategic direction and ensuring its long-term success.
The prestige of a top leader comes with high salaries and a seat at the table for major business decisions.
However, this prestige comes with unexpected stresses. This stress can impact personal and professional life if not managed properly.
A PwC 2018 CEO survey found that 83% of new CEOs get internal promotion to their role. However, those hired for CEO jobs from outside the company often receive more attention and support during their transition.
Therefore, companies often overlook the challenges associated with their ascension.
Similarly, despite the challenges, these individuals differ in character from those brought in from outside.
By addressing and overcoming these challenges, C-suite leaders can ensure the success of their organizations.
C-Suite Jobs: How To Overcome The Challenges?
Given below are some of the stressful challenges faced by most CEOs around the world and how you can overcome them—
1. Fighting Off The Imposter Syndrome
Making it to the C-suite is challenging. It comes with the constant pressure to perform and meet targets. Hence, it is stressful, especially during times of crisis or uncertainty.
Moreover, being accountable for your team's and the entire organization's actions can sit heavy on your shoulders.
Consequently, one common feeling in the C-suite is imposter syndrome. Here, an individual doubts their accomplishments and fears being accused of fraud. This can lead to feelings of not belonging or not qualified for the position.
The intense scrutiny of a high-profile position can make it challenging to take risks or try new approaches. This can stifle innovative leaders.
It often makes the individual feel like they are not just a team member anymore but are now in charge.
Therefore, you must focus on your accomplishments to address imposter syndrome or any form of self-doubt.
Remind yourself of your expertise, and seek support from a mentor or coach to cultivate self-compassion. Moreover, as a leader in an organization, you must let go of unrealistic expectations or perfectionism.
2. Dealing With The Lack Of Clarity
The upper management often tends to assume that everything is running smoothly. However, they only realize the issues when it is too late.
This happens due to a lack of visibility and clarity in the company's day-to-day operations.
The C-suite executives rely on information from department heads and middle managers. This can distort or filter reality, leading to an inaccurate view of reality or complex and unclear information.
Therefore, it can create significant problems that go unnoticed until too late.
To improve data-driven decision-making, organizations should visualize their business and its layers, maintain data reliability and integrity, and promote faster data-driven decision-making.
A data strategy tailored to the company's needs helps achieve data clarity. It ensures the integrity of the data used to inform key business decisions.
Finally, consolidating business data and promoting the sharing of insights across teams can help leaders ensure data clarity and the accuracy of their decisions.
3. Preventing Ego To Distort Clarity
In the business world, success can sometimes lead to complacency within the C-Suite, creating a false sense of security and impeding adaptation to changing market conditions or new technologies.
This can result in groupthink. Here, dissenting opinions get suppressed, stifling critical analysis. Thus, it makes the C-Suite blind to potential risks and challenges.
Organizations should embrace digital transformation and leverage disruption to ensure long-term success and competitiveness.
According to 83% of project managers, digital transformation has moderately or significantly impacted their work over the past five years.
Therefore, organizations should adopt an agile approach to project management. They must continuously evaluate shifting market dynamics, new technologies, and innovation to deliver against strategy.
4. Lacking Farsightedness
C-suite executives often prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. This attitude can lead to decisions that harm the company in the long run.
Such decisions can result in insufficient investment in critical areas like research and development. However, these are essential for the business's long-term health.
Moreover, a CEO solely focused on short-term profits may refrain from investing in new technology. The ever-evolving technology can help companies remain competitive in the long run.
Therefore, such organizations prioritize investment in developing strategy over proper execution.
However, there appears to be a disconnect between executive leaders and project managers on strategy implementation funding.
This suggests organizations may not leverage the optimum focus and investment to deliver against strategy.
5. Fighting Loneliness And Isolation
The C-suite often faces unexpected stress due to the isolation it often brings.
Top leaders often make difficult decisions that impact many people's lives but with limited support or input from others.
This isolation can amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can further exacerbate stress and anxiety.
Moreover, maintaining relationships outside of work can become challenging, and the pressure to always be "on" is exhausting.
Therefore, leaders should acknowledge their need for support, seek an executive coach, or join a mastermind group with diverse leaders to overcome this isolation.
Moreover, prioritizing finding a balance between work and personal life is crucial. You must let your team know they are human. This helps build trust and allows them to feel comfortable sharing with turn.
6. Accepting The Shift From A Peer To The Boss
When CEOs are promoted from within the company, they often find themselves leading colleagues who were once their peers or superiors.
This is a particularly tricky situation. Consequently, lingering tensions or resentments can complicate the new leader's job.
In addition, the CEO must quickly assess all direct reports and stakeholders, building their team and reenlisting people they want to keep through early conversations.
This process requires careful consideration and judgment, as the new leader must determine which team members are best suited for their roles and which may need to be replaced.
Through this process, new leaders can establish themselves as effective managers and confidently navigate the challenges of their new roles.
7. Organize Yourself For The New Role
It is common for CEOs who are promoted from within a company to face challenges when transitioning to their new roles.
On the other hand, externally hired CEOs tend to receive more support. However, providing equal opportunities for all CEOs to succeed is essential.
The board, senior management team, HR executives, and communications executives are vital in this process.
Therefore, a newly promoted CEO should understand their challenges and develop a plan to overcome them with organizational support to lead effectively.
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Develop Your Organizational Leadership Skills with an Associates of Science Degree
When thinking about a career in respiratory care, one of the first things that comes to mind is: What kind of training and certification are necessary to work as a respiratory therapist?
The quick response is that a bachelor's degree is preferred, but an associate's degree is necessary. The National Board for Respiratory Care refers to the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential as the "standard of excellence" for respiratory care professionals. To obtain it, you must also pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam. A master's degree is something many accomplished respiratory therapists eventually obtain to broaden their expertise, abilities, and professional options.
There is, of course, much more to it than that. So, let's take a moment to breathe deeply before we get into all the specifics of how to become a respiratory therapist.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist: Overview
One of the fundamental necessities of life is the ability to breathe. Patients rely on respiratory therapists to enhance their quality of life and assist in their recovery due to the multitude of types and causes of breathing problems.
Respiratory therapists collaborate with physicians and nurses as experts in breathing support and monitoring to assess, identify, and manage a wide range of respiratory disorders.
They assist patients with respiratory infections, chronic lung diseases like emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and more as part of their work. Patients who have had a major accident or who have suffered a heart attack or stroke may also receive emergency care from them. Patients range in age from elderly people to premature babies.
A respiratory therapist's workday can be both rewarding and difficult. Most therapists have some basic duties regardless of whether they work in an outpatient clinic, hospital, or home care setting. An average day for a respiratory therapist could include:
Obtain patient medical histories and conduct baseline chest exams.
Examine gas and oxygen levels in the blood
Recognize lung conditions and choose appropriate treatments
Inform patients and their families about therapeutic activities and regimens.
Conduct patient assessments and suggest modifications to treatment plans to attending physicians.
Respond to calls for emergency care in case of sudden cardiac arrest or other crises.
The field of respiratory care is very significant, and it may be the best fit for kindhearted people who want to work in lung-related healthcare.
Education and Credentialing on How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
According to the American Association of Respiratory Therapists (AARC), the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) is the body that accredits respiratory therapy schools, and respiratory therapists are required to hold at least an associate degree from a recognized respiratory therapy education program.
Still asking how to become a respiratory therapist? A bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy opens the door to more employment and career opportunities. However, most practicing respiratory therapists pursue this degree further.
These courses are meant to get students ready for certification in respiratory therapy from the National Board for Respiratory Care. The following qualifications are provided by the NBRC and are thought to be prerequisites for licensure.
Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
A license to practice respiratory therapy is a prerequisite for becoming a certified respiratory therapist (CRT) in every state. Nonetheless, there is a growing national movement to mandate that all respiratory therapists with licenses possess the RRT certification. Additionally, the NBRC grants specialized credentials in several fields, such as:
Adult critical care
Pediatric and neonatal respiratory care
Technology for pulmonary function
Testing for sleep disorders
Many experienced respiratory therapists pursue a master's degree in respiratory therapy, and according to the AARC, "earning an advanced degree in respiratory therapy has many personal and professional benefits." According to the AARC, advanced degrees can prepare respiratory therapists for positions as clinical specialists, disease managers, or case managers. They can also serve as a basis for careers as managers, formal educators, or researchers.
Many employers may cover the cost of tuition for staff members who want to pursue bachelor's or master's degrees in respiratory therapy. The AARC also provides information on loans and scholarships related to respiratory therapy.
The AARC offers additional career and networking strategies, such as:
Join your state society to network as well as meet other professionals in the field. Opportunities to volunteer with the RTs, who may be regional or state decision-makers, are one example of this.
For an informational interview, give your dream job's HR department a call. This will allow you to introduce yourself and find out more about the company and the qualities they are seeking in a candidate.
Attending conferences on respiratory therapy. These regional, state, and national conferences for respiratory therapists can offer you a chance to network as well as refresh your knowledge.
Participate in health fairs as a volunteer or attend events specific to your profession, such as Drive4COPD.
Become a Respiratory Therapist: Prospects for Employment
The need for licensed respiratory therapists is currently in high demand in the United States, mostly because of aging populations and poor air quality. Respiratory therapist employment is predicted to grow by 23% by 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is significantly faster than the average growth rate for all industries. Additionally, according to the BLS, the typical compensation for respiratory therapists is $60,280.
The following are some recent job titles for respiratory therapy that can be found on the American Association for Respiratory Care Job Board:
Respiratory Therapist
Health and Medical Services Manager
Respiratory Therapy Technician
Respiratory Function Technologist
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Manager
Respiratory Services Site Manager
Respiratory Care Practitioner
Life Flight Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapy Supervisor
Assistant Professor – Respiratory Care
Director of Clinical Education, Respiratory Therapy
A bachelor's or master's degree is required for some of these positions. In fact, by 2020, 80% of RTs should either have earned or be pursuing a bachelor's degree, according to AARC, which also notes that graduate degrees are necessary for upper-level management and teaching positions. “How to become a respiratory therapist” is a question more complicated to answer than ask.
Benefits of an Online Degree in Respiratory Therapy
For those employed as respiratory therapists and those who want to work in this industry, online degree programs can be a great choice. For instance, the online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program offered by the University of Cincinnati equips qualified Registered and Certified Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) and CRTs for advanced clinical practice, graduate school, and management opportunities.
The program is intended to help you advance your clinical skills and gain a deeper understanding of advanced healthcare operations, logistics, technology, leadership, ethics, and project management. It has a robust curriculum that focuses on advancing respiratory therapy practice and research.
How To Become a Respiratory Therapist?
To become a respiratory therapist, one must fulfill several requirements as a qualified medical practitioner. Read below for information on the training, experience, certification, as well as license needed to work as a respiratory therapist.
Obtain a Degree in Respiratory Therapy
A minimum associate degree in respiratory therapy is required to work as a respiratory therapist. Human anatomy, physiology, and respiratory care procedures and tests are all covered in a typical respiratory therapy education program. Students studying respiratory therapy typically complete clinical hours in addition to their coursework, which gives them practical experience working with patients.
For full-time students, an associate degree typically takes two years to complete. Certain respiratory therapy programs provide expedited pathways that enable students to complete their degrees faster. Naturally, students who study part-time take longer to complete their degrees.
Nonetheless, a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy can make you stand out from the competition because some employers might favor hiring respiratory therapists with a higher level of education. For full-time students, most bachelor's programs require four years.
Select a program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), regardless of the degree level you intend to pursue. CoARC's program directory allows you to determine if the program you are considering is accredited.
Finish Internship
An internship offers more practical experience in respiratory therapy. Even though clinical experiences are completed as part of the degree program. Internships help you build your professional network as well as find mentors. They can also help you land a job once you graduate.
Acquire Certification
The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) offers professional certification applications that you can submit after receiving your degree in respiratory therapy. The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials are the two most widely held certifications in the field. Your concentration may determine whether you need to pursue a more specialized certification. Here is more information about the certification procedure.
Request a License
Alaska is not among the 49 states where practicing respiratory therapy requires a license. The CRT or RRT are the two primary certifications for respiratory therapists. Possession of either one is a prerequisite for licensure in every state that regulates respiratory therapy. States may have different additional licensing requirements, so find out more by contacting the health board in your state.
Salary and Jobs for Respiratory Therapists
As a respiratory therapist, your pay will vary based on your position, employer, level of education as well as experience. As of May 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the median yearly salary for respiratory therapists was $70,540.
There ought to be a lot of available jobs in this industry. According to BLS projections, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to grow by 13% between 2022 and 2032, which is significantly faster than average. Salary thus becomes a very crucial part of the discourse when asking “how to become a respiratory therapist.”
How Long Does It Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?
A common question among students considering respiratory therapy careers is how long it takes to become a respiratory therapist. For professionals pursuing an associate's degree, becoming a respiratory therapist in the US requires at least two years of training. But the time it takes you to become a respiratory therapist is up to you! If you're pursuing a bachelor's degree, then it could take up to four years to become a respiratory therapist.
The learning process does not end there.
Respiratory therapists can continue their education to become more specialized in areas such as management even after they receive their accreditation. Furthermore, advanced degrees in respiratory therapy provide excellent learning opportunities in addition to professional advancement.
The knowledge underlying respiratory care is always changing. This is much like many other subfields in healthcare. Obtaining more education is one way to stay "up to date" on the latest developments.
Is Nursing Easier Than Respiratory Therapy?
Comparing a respiratory therapist to a nurse is like comparing apples to oranges in many aspects.
However, some contend that respiratory therapy may not be as difficult as nursing. In addition to supporting the patient's entire body, nurses offer general education. In the meantime, respiratory therapists focus exclusively on the heart and lungs. Consequently, the autonomy that comes with being a respiratory therapist may not be present in nursing.
Despite their differences, respiratory therapists and nurses face similar difficulties in their line of work. Whether they are helping those on life support or tending to patients with breathing difficulties, they are on the front lines of patient care.
In addition to the potential for infectious diseases and occasionally demanding work schedules, a career in respiratory therapy can be both fulfilling and taxing.
Wrapping Up
Those who want to work on the front lines of patient care as well as change the healthcare system should consider a career as a respiratory therapist.
The path to becoming a respiratory therapist can be challenging. It will require an associate's or bachelor's degree in addition to NBRC-recognized certification. Respiratory therapy is not for the faint of heart, especially when combined with the occasionally long hours and stress of the job.
But aside from the bright prospects for employment and the attractive pay, it's tremendously fulfilling to know that your skill and attention can save a patient's life.
If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to become a respiratory therapist, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! If you want more career options, click here.
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