RC Week: Abdul Asghar on Respiratory Care, Education, and the Future of the Profession

Abdul Asghar, MBA, RRT-NPS-ACCS, RPFT, AE-C, didn’t set out to become a respiratory therapist. With a background in business banking, he initially entered respiratory care while he was thinking about starting a durable medical equipment or home health company.

But after spending time in the intensive care unit (ICU), he quickly discovered a profession very different from what he expected.

Now, serving as the Partnership Development Manager at Pima Medical Institute, Asghar continues to work clinically while teaching the next generation of respiratory therapists. In honor of Respiratory Care Week, he shared what keeps him connected to the profession, the opportunities respiratory care offers, and why advocacy matters.

What inspired you to become a respiratory therapist?

I worked in banking, and we considered starting a durable medical equipment or home health company. I thought, “Why don’t I go back to school and learn this myself?” That way, we could save on hiring an RT, and I’d understand the business

I kind of fell into respiratory care indirectly.

Why is the work of respiratory therapists so important to patient care?

When someone has difficulty breathing, you immediately see how important our expertise is. Being able to support someone and, ideally, resolve the problem they’re experiencing is incredibly powerful. You see that with conditions like asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and, of course, COVID-19.

We’re also closely involved in end-of-life care. Once you extubate a patient, that is often part of someone’s final moments. In those situations, you get to use more than your clinical and technical skills. You get to bring your humanity and compassion to the situation and be a source of comfort to the family.

What do you enjoy most about working in respiratory care and education?

In education, I love seeing students evolve and grow, especially those who overcome significant challenges to complete the Program. I had a student in her 50s who was a cosmetologist and traveled 40 miles each way to school. She gave us everything she had, and we helped her become independent and financially secure.

I’ve also had young students who lack the confidence to be the best version of who they can be. Being able to help students like that, from all different backgrounds, is extremely rewarding. For me, it really comes back to making a difference.

What are the biggest challenges facing the respiratory therapy workforce today?

Burnout is a significant challenge. We’re a critical care specialty, and RTs can have 10 to 15 patients in an ICU. On a difficult day, you may have multiple patients who need you while several nurses are asking for you at the same time.

I think how we staff and allocate workloads contributes to long-term burnout. I don’t know the answer within the current hospital model, but workload and staffing are major challenges.

What do you wish more people knew about respiratory therapy as a career?

I wish more people understood how much opportunity respiratory care offers, especially if you approach it with a growth mindset. Many RTs work three 12-hour shifts, which is considered full-time employment. Those aren’t easy days, but having four days off can provide tremendous flexibility.

Beyond that, you can go to school for two years and make a tangible, meaningful difference in people’s lives and their loved ones. You can educate people, support them during emotionally challenging moments, and help them through a real crisis.

I wish more people knew that nursing isn’t the only option in allied health, particularly if you enjoy critical care. Respiratory therapy provides a unique opportunity to work in critical care and across different areas of the hospital.

What advice would you give to someone who’s considering a career in respiratory care?

Understand the range of options available to you. You can work in critical care, but you can also work in home health, pulmonary function testing, and other settings that may offer a different pace and greater flexibility.

You can also choose how much you want to work. If you don’t need a full-time position, you may be able to work one or two days a week. If you value flexibility, variety, and working with a broad range of patients, respiratory care can be a great fit.

Why does advocacy matter to the profession?

Advocacy plays a vital role in our field. During Respiratory Care Week, take time to reflect on your contributions to advancing the profession. Joining professional organizations, for instance, helps build a strong, unified voice to advocate effectively for respiratory therapists.

As respiratory therapists receive recognition, everyone should consider how they can contribute, whether through local or state organizations or AARC. Ask yourself: What additional action can I take to give back and amplify our influence on healthcare?