UToledo Respiratory Care Program Earns National Recognition for 9th Consecutive Year

UToledo Respiratory Care Program Earns National Recognition for 9th Consecutive Year

The University of Toledo's Respiratory Care program has received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care for the ninth consecutive year, recognizing the program's continued success in preparing students for professional credentialing.

The award recognizes accredited respiratory therapy programs that demonstrate strong outcomes in areas including Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialing success, student retention and performance on the national credentialing examinations.

UToledo's students have achieved a 96% three-year average success rate in earning the RRT credential, significantly exceeding the national average of 70% each year.

The RRT credential represents the highest level of professional credentialing for respiratory therapists. Graduates must successfully complete the national credentialing process before they can practice as respiratory therapists.

Dr. Nicole McKenzie, program director for Respiratory Care, said the program's focus on preparing students for the credentialing examinations begins early in their education.

"Our students are highly likely to pass that exam the first time around," McKenzie said. "They've put their studying to good use and we are working to make sure that they get that RRT credential."

The program's emphasis on credentialing comes at a time when respiratory therapists are in high demand across the country. McKenzie said hospitals and health systems continue to actively recruit graduates as the profession faces workforce shortages and an aging workforce.

That demand means many students have job offers waiting for them before they even graduate.

"It's 100% job placement," McKenzie said. "I have to tell the recruiters, I'm sorry, you're too
late when they start emailing me in the spring about my graduates because we graduate in May, and by February, they've all decided where they plan to work, if not already hired."

McKenzie said the recognition from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care adds to the program's record of preparing graduates for successful careers in respiratory care while meeting the profession's national standards for education and credentialing.