Respiratory Grad Finds Health Care Niche

Precious Logan always dreamed of a career in health care. She wanted to help people.

After graduating from Greenwood High School, Logan took her first step into the health care field by earning her certified nursing assistant certificate (CNA). She enrolled at a four-year university, but found it wasn’t the right fit for her. So she transferred to Piedmont Technical College where she found the path to the career she had been looking for.

“I did some research on the opportunities in the health care field,” she said. “A friend of mine who works in respiratory recommended the respiratory care program.”

The smaller class sizes and the connection to the faculty proved her move was the right choice. The more she learned about the program, the more Logan knew she had found her niche in respiratory care.

“I like the direct contact with patients and their families,” she said. “It’s about helping them get better.”

Logan earned her associate degree in respiratory care from PTC in 2014 and quickly landed a job at Self Regional Healthcare. She was nervous as she started her new career, but her training at PTC had given her the foundation to succeed.

“I felt that I was prepared for the job, but it was an adjustment knowing there wasn’t an instructor looking over my shoulder to make sure I was doing everything correctly,” Logan said. “I had to have faith in the knowledge they had given me.”

Logan wants to continue her education and become a respiratory care director. She has enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program through Columbia College and plans to also pursue a master’s degree.

“The agreement Piedmont Tech has with Columbia College makes it so easy for me to work towards my bachelor’s degree,” she said. “The class schedule works well with my work schedule.”

For anyone considering enrolling in college, Logan said she recommends they take a look at the respiratory care program at Piedmont Tech.

“It’s a great program with wonderful instructors,” she said. “If you’re looking for a career that is different every day and allows you to work closely with the patients, a career as a respiratory therapist could be for you.”