SSU Respiratory Therapy Program receives $10,000 in funding from NBRC

SSU Respiratory Therapy alumni, faculty, students, and community partners gather for a picture during the annual Respiratory Therapy Case Studies event on April 16, 2024. 

The Shawnee State University Respiratory Therapy Program is getting a significant boost in resources to start the 2024 academic year thanks to the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The long-standing credentialing organization is allocating over $4 million in scholarship funds to more than 450 CoARC-accredited respiratory care educational programs across the United States. This initiative highlights their commitment to "raising awareness of the value of the respiratory care profession and recruiting and retaining more respiratory therapists," according to Lori M. Tinkler, CEO of the NBRC.

Each educational program, including the Shawnee State University Respiratory Therapy Program, will receive $10,000 in scholarship funding. These scholarships can be used to support students in various ways, from purchasing practice exams to enhancing classroom equipment and teaching materials.

“It's great to see such strong support for Respiratory Therapy programs and their students,” said Amy France, Program Director of the Shawnee State University Respiratory Therapy program. “The NBRC is not only alleviating financial burdens, but also helping to ensure that future RT’s are well-prepared for their careers. This investment in students will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the field and on patient care overall.”

The investment comes at a crucial time, as the respiratory therapy field is projecting job growth of 13 percent by 2032, exceeding the national average and making it one of the most in-demand health professions. Over 100 million Americans are affected by respiratory disorders, yet a 2021 survey of respiratory care leaders, conducted by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), showed that 87 percent feel there is a current, local shortage of RTs, and 84 percent think a shortage of RTs in the future is likely.

“As the new college moves forward, we are committed to leading innovative initiatives that support student recruitment and retention,” said Dr. Christine Rabe, Interim Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Shawnee State. “Under Program Director France's leadership, this award from NBRC will be used to offer direct assistance for respiratory therapy students to succeed in their courses and board examinations so they are well prepared to meet the healthcare workforce needs in our region.”

Established in 1960 and headquartered in the Kansas City area since 1974, the NBRC is the credentialing board for U.S. respiratory care practitioners. The NBRC’s mission is to promote excellence in respiratory care by awarding credentials based on high-competency standards. This scholarship program represents a collective effort to shape a brighter future for the respiratory therapy profession by nurturing the next generation of skilled and dedicated practitioners.

For more information on the NBRC click here: Home - The National Board for Respiratory Care (nbrc.org)

For more information on the Shawnee State Respiratory Therapy program, visit: Respiratory Therapy Associate’s Degree | Shawnee State