- Apply, and become accepted to a College or University with a Respiratory Therapy program; a Bachelors of Science is preferred but Associates level programs are available, at least for now[1].
- Typically the first year of college is where you knock out your 1-2 pre-requisite classes and probably the 4-10 co-requisite classes. Most people call all these classes pre-reqs even though most are really co-reqs. (the difference being, co-reqs are what they expect you to take while you're in the RRT program and pre-reqs you have to take prior to being accepted)
- Applying to the RRT program is additional to applying to the school, so you'll have to apply separately.
- Once accepted into the program, typical program length is 2 years including summer semesters. An overview of the curriculum is something like
- Fall1: Introduction, Pharm 1, Clinical 1
- Spring1: Therapeutics 1, Cardiology 1, Pulmonary Hematology, Clinical 2
- Summer1a: Mechanical ventilation in adults 1, Pulmonary science 1, Clinical 3a
- Summer1b: Mechanical ventilation in adults 2, Pulmonary science 2, Clinical 3b
- Fall2: Pediatric therapeutics, Pediatric cardiology, Pediatric pharm, Pediatric clinical 1(4)
- Spring2: Community health and awareness, Asthma education, Sleep diagnostics, Clinical 5
- After graduation, in the United States you must sit for three total exams:
- The Certified Respiratory Therapist examination
- NBRC-ELE, This is the examination to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
- Then once you have passed the NBRC-ELE, you can sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examinations
- NBRC-WRE, This is the advanced practice written examination. Very similar to the ELE with a little more depth.
- NBRC-CSE, This is the clinical simulation where you do 10 simulations and act as an independant clinician ordering tests and diagnostics and performing therapies and interventions on more than likely someone who is completely screwed up. My favorite was the "Tree surgeon" emergency room admission.
- Once you have passed all 3 examinations, you are now Your Name, RRT
- Practicing after credentialing requires a state license provided by that states health department. Application and fees up to $500 to practice are pretty standard, though in other places its much cheaper. There is not currently a compact act for respiratory therapy like there is for nursing, but maybe someday.
- Opinion: The NBRC is a racket, They require an RRT to sit for the NBRC-ELE prior to the WRE/CSE for financial gain, this is equivalent to sitting for the NCLEX-PN before being allowed to take the NCLEX-RN, and that is silly. The NBRC owns the testing company you pay to take the test too. Which is awkward to say the least. I will admit however, with such a small amount of people in the profession, a profit-engine might be the only way for us to exist until we've better established ourselves.
Citations
- Transitioning the respiratory therapy workforce for 2015 and beyond. Respir Care (2011) PMID: 21276324
