By: Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC

Respiratory nurses, also called pulmonary nurses, care for patients suffering from acute and/or chronic respiratory illnesses. Respiratory nurses can focus on a specific age population or care for patients ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics. In this guide, we’ll explain what a Respiratory Nurse does, how to become one, how much they make, and more!

Part One What is a Respiratory Nurse?

Respiratory Nurses are specialized Registered Nurses that care for patients suffering from acute and chronic respiratory illnesses. These illnesses include,

1. Lung cancer
2. Pleural effusion
3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
4. Emphysema
5. COVID-19
6. Black Lung Disease
7. Interstitial Lung Disease
8. Pulmonary Embolism
9. Pulmonary Hypertension
10. Mesothelioma
11. Pneumothorax
12. Pertussis
13. Influenza
14. Pneumonia
15. Asthma
16. Cystic Fibrosis
17. Bronchitis
18. Tuberculosis
19. Pulmonary edema
20. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Show Me Nursing Programs

Part Two What Does a Respiratory Nurse Do?

A Respiratory nurse cares for patients suffering from acute and/or chronic respiratory illnesses. The main goal of a Respiratory nurse is to avoid the worsening of the respiratory illness. Despite focusing on the respiratory system, these nurses also care for the patient as a whole.

Specific duties of a Respiratory nurse include,

1. Evaluating the effectiveness of medical treatments, specifically in regards to the respiratory system
2. Educating patients, families, and support individuals regarding current medical diagnosis
3. Orienting new staff to the unit
4. Caring for patients with chronic respiratory illness
5. Performing health histories on patients with respiratory illness
6. Administering oxygen therapy
7. Assisting in smoking cessation classes
8. Administering breathing treatments as ordered
9. Assisting in performing emergency procedures 
10. Managing artificial airways such as breathing tubes and tracheostomies
11. Participating in-unit and hospital-based nursing committees
12. Providing healthcare services in collaboration with other healthcare professionals
13. Providing a therapeutic environment for patients, their families, and caregivers
14. Recording patients’ medical information, assessments, and vital signs
15. Overseeing ancillary staff including LPNs and CNAs
16. Triaging and stabilizing patients requiring immediate medical attention
17. Obtaining vital signs and performing nursing assessments
18. Administering medications

Part Three Respiratory Nurse Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a registered nurse in 2021 is $77,600 per year or $37.31 per hour, but conditions in your area may vary.

The BLS does not differentiate between different specialties of nursing, but Glassdoor.com reports an annual median salary of $117,339 for respiratory nurses. Ziprecruiter.com reports an average annual salary of $110,996. 

This number seems significantly higher than most nurse specialties; however, respiratory nurses are in higher demand due to the significance of ongoing respiratory illnesses, such as coronavirus and influenza. 

Show Me Nursing Programs

Part Four How Do You Become a Respiratory Nurse?

Step 1: Attend Nursing School

You’ll need to earn either an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing program in order to take the first steps to become a registered nurse. ADN-prepared nurses can complete an additional step of completing their BSN degree if they wish.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN

Become a Registered Nurse by passing the NCLEX examination.

Step 3: Gain Experience at the Bedside

Obtaining a position as a Respiratory Nurse upon completion of nursing school is possible, most will have critical care experience prior to transitioning into the role. Critical care experience is ideal because of the types of illness, mechanical and artificial ventilation, and severity of the disease processes. 

Step 4: Earn Certification

While there is no specific certification for Respiratory nurses, most with critical care experience will earn the 

Critical Care (Adult) Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification offered by The Association of Critical Care Nurses. This is the most common certification for adult critical care nurses. For those Respiratory nurses specializing in pediatrics, there are equivalent certifications for pediatric critical care nurses.

CCRN Eligibility Requirements

• A current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license
• Clinical Practice hour requirement:
  • Two-Year Option
    • Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application
  • Five-Year Option
    • Practice as an RN or APRN for at least five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application.

Part Five Where Do Respiratory Nurses Work?

Respiratory nurses typically work within hospital settings; however, they can also work in the following settings,

1. Home care agencies
2. Assisted living facilities
3. Rehabilitation centers
4. Outpatient clinics
5. Long-term care facilities
6. Infusion centers
7. Hospice centers
8. Transplant centers
9. Military facilities
10. Academia
11. Private physician officers
12. Outpatient surgical centers
13. Medical supply company
14. Healthcare insurance company 

Part Six What is the Career Outlook for a Respiratory Nurse?

According to the BLS, in 2021, there were 3,130,600 Registered Nurses in the United States. By 2031, there will be a need for additional 195,400 nurses, which is an expected growth of 6%.

Respiratory nurses are in VERY high demand giving the ongoing pandemic and yearly influenza season. These nurses are specifically trained to handle respiratory illness and able to assess patients for any and all potential changes. 

Show Me Nursing Programs

Part Seven What are the Continuing Education Requirements for a Respiratory Nurse?

Generally, in order for an individual to renew their RN license, they will need to fill out an application, complete a specific number of CEU hours, and pay a nominal fee. Each state has specific requirements and it is important to check with the board of nursing prior to applying for license renewal.

If the RN license is part of a compact nursing license, the CEU requirement will be for the state of permanent residence. Some states require CEUs related to child abuse, narcotics, and/or pain management. 

Respiratory nurses with a CCRN certification will need continuing education for renewal of the certification. These continuing education hours are specific to the certification and can be used for nursing licenses renewal as well. 

Part Eight Resources for Respiratory Nurses

1. American Nurses Association
2. Respiratory Nursing Society and Interprofessional Collaborative
3. American Thoracic Society
4. The Journal of Cardiopulmonary and Acute Care
5. American Association for Respiratory Care
6. American Association of Nurse Practitioners
7. Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists
8. Association of Pulmonary Advanced Practice Providers
9. The National Board for Respiratory Care

Part Nine Respiratory Nurse FAQs

• How long does it take to become a respiratory nurse?

  • Individuals can become respiratory nurses immediately upon graduation from an accredited nursing program. Typically, after four years of undergraduate schooling, passing the NCLEX examination and earning a nursing license, individuals can apply for respiratory nurse positions. 

• Who makes more: a respiratory therapist or a respiratory nurse?

  • According to Glassdoor.com, Respiratory Nurses make an median annual salary of $117,339. Respiratory Therapists make an median annual salary of $61,830.

• What is included in a respiratory assessment?

  • A respiratory assessment includes the percussion and auscultation of all lung fields. Patients should be assessed for respiratory rate, color changes such as cyanosis, any work of breathing including grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions, as well as lung expansion and symmetry.  Comprehensive respiratory assessments will also include palpation and inspection as well as a detailed health history.