December 12, 2023
Ursuline College is once again stepping up to meet the growing healthcare workforce needs of Northeast Ohio. It’s new online Applied Science (AAS) to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Respiratory Care program received provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Like registered nurses, registered respiratory therapists or RTTs are eligible to sit for their licensure exam with an associate degree. However, for more than a decade registered nurses have been encouraged to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree in their field—a scenario on the horizon for respiratory therapists.
“The respiratory care profession began a shift towards more advanced education in recent years, due to rapid changes in technology and challenges of an aging population with multiple health issues” explains Program Director John Gallagher, MPH, RRT-NPS, FAARC. “We created this program after the pandemic anticipating this movement will be accelerated in the coming years and we want our health care professionals to be ready.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $61,830 in May 2021, and employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031. Respiratory therapists with an advanced degree are eligible to be clinical specialists, department managers, clinical educators, research associates, and medical sales professionals.
“We’re thrilled that the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care recognizes the quality of this program that the Ursuline faculty has created under John’s leadership,” notes Patricia A. Sharpnack DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN, Dean of the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions. “This program speaks to Ursuline College continuing to build on its 75-year history of leadership in health care to serve the people of Cleveland and beyond.”
Last month, the College also received accreditation for its new nurse anesthesia track of its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with Somnia Nurse Anesthesia Program (SNAP). The online program begins classes this January.
Accreditation Information:
Ursuline College’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program in Pepper Pike, Ohio (CoARC #500031) holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
