| Description: |
Background The respiratory care profession faces significant workforce shortages, exacerbated by increasing retirements, declining enrollment in respiratory therapy (RT) programs, and rising demand for RT services. To address these challenges effectively, organizations need to understand the factors that influence employer selection among senior respiratory care students and early-career RTs, enabling improved recruitment strategies. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify factors influencing employer selection among RT students in the final year of their entry-to-practice programs and early-career RTs who graduated within the past 5 years. Respondents ranked their top five decision-making factors across three primary domains: employment preferences, shift preferences, and workplace preferences. Results A total of 295 respondents (178 students and 117 RTs) were included. Salary was ranked as the most influential factor in employer selection across both groups. Among students, the next most important factors were autonomy, workplace environment, benefits, and schedule flexibility. For RTs, the order was work environment, autonomy, schedule flexibility, and benefits. Most respondents favored 12-hour day shifts, emphasizing the importance of work–life balance. Academic hospitals and trauma centers were identified as the most preferred workplace settings among RT students. More than 90% of respondents expressed interest in new graduate residency programs, with no significant differences across degree levels, age, or residential locations. Conclusions When selecting employers, senior RT students and early-career RTs prioritize competitive salaries, professional autonomy, flexible scheduling, comprehensive benefits, and initiatives that support work–life balance. Additionally, senior RT students expressed high interest in new graduate residency programs. |