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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Granted Provisional Accreditation for Florida’s Only Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program
Marianne Jankowski, DHSc., RRT, chair of NSU’s Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences and director of the Respiratory Therapy Program, and Jennifer Bencsik, MHA, RRT, assistant professor of cardiopulmonary sciences in NSU’s Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences, demonstrate infant CPR in NSU Palm Beach’s simulated 10-bed intensive care unit.
NSU’s Bachelor of Science degree program in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) – the first such program offering in the state – has been granted provisional accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy (CoARC).
“Nova Southeastern University is committed to not only providing health care practitioners with the skills they need to practice today, but to giving them a competitive advantage in the future,” said Stanley Wilson, P.T., Ed.D., CEAS, dean of NSU’s College of Health Care Sciences. “As the only university in Florida to offer a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy, we are preparing our students to succeed in this growing field.”
“This is a critical step in the overall development of our new bachelor’s-level Respiratory Therapy Program,” said Marianne Jankowski, DHSc., RRT, chair of NSU’s Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences and director of the Respiratory Therapy Program.
Students who graduate under CoARC accreditation are recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and eligible to sit for the appropriate credentialing examinations.
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredits first professional respiratory therapy degree programs at the associates, baccalaureate, and master’s degree levels in the United States and internationally. The CoARC also accredits professional respiratory therapy degree programs offering certificates in polysomnography, a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. CoARC’s mission is to serve the public by promoting high quality respiratory care education through accreditation services.
“Our unique respiratory program will provide our students with the opportunity to succeed as lifelong learners, critical thinkers, evidence-based practitioners, and excellent providers of care in a multitude of environments,” she said.
The American Association of Respiratory Care has declared the bachelor’s degree one of the priorities for a 2015 initiative to broaden expertise in the profession.
Jankowski said graduates from NSU’s Respiratory Therapy Program will have opportunities in the areas of advanced respiratory clinical practice, education, medical and health services management, and medical equipment sales and service.
Respiratory therapy students will receive classroom and simulated clinical training on the third floor of the NSU Palm Beach 75,000-sq.-ft. campus building at 11501 N. Military Trail, which has been transformed into a simulated 10-bed intensive care unit, a four-room patient simulation suite and computer labs, all to facilitate the new program.
For more information about NSU’s Respiratory Therapy Program please contact Terri Taylor at (561) 805-2244.