Respiratory therapy is a growing and rewarding healthcare career field. As a respiratory therapist, you can make a real difference in patients’ lives by treating breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders A bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy opens up diverse job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.
I wanted to share some key information for those considering earning a BSRT degree and building a career as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT)
What is Respiratory Therapy?
Respiratory therapy involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating disorders relating to breathing and cardiopulmonary health. As a respiratory therapist, you may provide care to patients suffering from chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, or cystic fibrosis. You could also work in critical care settings treating patients with acute conditions like pneumonia, trauma, or respiratory failure.
Some of the main duties of a respiratory therapist include:
- Evaluating lung function using tests like spirometry
- Performing airway clearance techniques like chest physiotherapy
- Managing mechanical ventilators for patients unable to breathe independently
- Administering inhaled medications with a nebulizer
- Providing patient education on using respiratory devices and managing chronic conditions
- Responding to respiratory emergencies like cardiac arrest
It’s a career where you can really make a difference for patients dealing with serious respiratory illnesses or critical injuries The field offers a great balance of technical skills, critical thinking, and patient interaction.
Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy?
Here are some of the key benefits of earning a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT):
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Advance your career – With a BSRT, you can take on leadership roles in management, education, research, or specialty clinical practice. This allows you to advance in your career.
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Enhanced expertise – Bachelor’s programs build advanced clinical competencies and technical expertise beyond the associate degree requirements. This provides greater professional flexibility.
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Higher earning potential – Respiratory therapists with a bachelor’s degree tend to earn higher salaries than those with an associate degree alone. The BLS reports experienced respiratory therapists with a bachelor’s degree earn an average salary exceeding $70,000 per year.
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Graduate program eligibility – A BSRT meets entry requirements for Master’s programs in Respiratory Therapy and related fields. This opens up opportunities for further career advancement.
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Professional flexibility – With an advanced skill set, bachelor’s prepared respiratory therapists can work in a wider scope of settings ranging from newborn ICUs to pulmonary rehab programs and sleep labs.
Overall, a BSRT degree helps position you for greater leadership roles and earning potential over the course of your RT career.
Curriculum and Courses in a BSRT Program
Let’s take a look at the types of courses and training included in a typical BSRT program:
Core Courses
The core respiratory therapy curriculum builds on associate degree foundations to advance your clinical knowledge and technical skills. Common courses include:
- Applied Respiratory Physiology
- Advanced Critical Care
- Neonatal & Pediatric Respiratory Care
- Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
- Mechanical Ventilation Management
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Disease Management
Healthcare/Management Courses
Bachelor’s programs include coursework in areas like healthcare systems, leadership, project management, budgeting, and communication. This training prepares you for management and supervisory roles.
Some examples are:
- Healthcare Systems & Policy
- Healthcare Finance & Budgeting
- Quality Improvement & Safety
- Leadership & Project Management
- Professional Communication
Research Courses
Gaining research skills allows respiratory therapists to implement evidence-based practice, conduct clinical research, and support protocol changes. Typical research-focused courses include:
- Introduction to Research Methods
- Data Analysis & Statistics
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Clinical Research & Trials
- Principles of Scientific Literature Evaluation
Capstone Project
At the end of a BSRT program, you’ll complete an integrative capstone project allowing you to apply your advanced knowledge and skills to address a respiratory therapy challenge. This provides valuable experience for leadership roles.
With this well-rounded curriculum, a BSRT degree fully prepares you for diverse opportunities as an RRT.
Online BSRT Programs for Working Respiratory Therapists
For current respiratory therapists with an associate degree, pursuing a Bachelor’s online is often the most flexible option. This allows you to advance your education while maintaining work and family commitments.
Some of the main benefits of online BSRT programs include:
- 100% online course delivery
- Asynchronous class formats fit around your schedule
- Multiple start dates throughout the year
- Accelerated options to finish faster
- Reduced on-campus requirements
- Continued eligibility for financial aid
When researching online programs, look for established universities with proven online learning systems. Talk to admissions counselors about credit transfer options to maximize the courses that will count towards your bachelor’s requirements.
With focus and perseverance, you can earn an advanced BSRT degree online in as little as 1.5-2 years while still working. This investment will continue paying off across your entire career.
Job Outlook for Respiratory Therapists
The job outlook for respiratory therapists is very strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 23% from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. Major factors driving this growth include:
- Aging population with increased instances of chronic respiratory conditions
- Advances in diagnostic and treatment technology
- High rate of smoking and air pollution
- Increased access to healthcare services with insurance reforms
With a bachelor’s degree, experienced RRTs will be well-positioned for supervisor, management, and clinical specialist roles within growing RT departments and care teams. Those with a BSRT degree will likely see the most job opportunities and career advancement over the next decade.
Starting a Rewarding Career in Respiratory Therapy
If making a real difference for patients with breathing disorders motivates you, respiratory therapy offers an excellent career path in healthcare. The need for RRTs will continue growing across diverse healthcare settings.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree prepares you for advanced roles in this fulfilling profession. If you already have an associate degree in Respiratory Therapy, taking the next step to a bachelor’s online is a smart investment in your long-term success.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Fully Online
The Respiratory Care baccalaureate degree program is intended for students who have completed an associate degree in the field of respiratory care, approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) as a pathway to complete a four-year degree.
The curriculum focuses on advanced level scope of practice, including clinical specialist, interventional pulmonology, and pulmonary diagnostics.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The respiratory care bachelors in science degree graduate will have the skills to implement their role as a health professional and will possess the ethics, values, skills, and knowledge integral to all aspects of the profession with an emphasis on clinical specialist, interventional pulmonology, and pulmonary diagnostics.
The graduate will be able to exercise evidence-based practice, critical thinking and communicate effectively in all professional employment settings.
Respiratory Therapy – Thoughts on Bachelor Degree Entry Level Requirement in 2030!
How do I become a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Registered respiratory therapists can enroll in a degree completion program to earn their bachelor’s degree. Often known as an RRT-to-BS in Respiratory Care, these programs offer flexibility and career specialization options. You can also earn a bachelor’s in respiratory therapy without prior training.
What degree do you need to become a respiratory therapist?
Respiratory Care Bachelor’s Degree — Prepare for a career in the fast-growing field of respiratory therapy with a degree from KU. Respiratory Care Dual Degree — Students enrolled in a community college associate degree respiratory therapy program can simultaneously take up to three classes in KU’s respiratory care program.
What can a respiratory therapist do with a bachelor’s degree?
As specialists in breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders, respiratory therapists help patients improve their breathing. With a bachelor’s degree, respiratory therapists can move into specialized roles and increase their job opportunities. Some employers only hire respiratory therapists who hold a bachelor’s degree.
Where can I get a respiratory therapist degree online?
Respiratory Therapy Degree Advancement — Registered respiratory therapists can complete a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care online at KU. Respiratory Care METC — Through a partnership with the Medical Education Training Center at Fort Sam Houston, KU offers a way to seamlessly shift into the respiratory care online degree completion program.
