Just Keep Breathing

Respiratory care practitioners access and treat medical conditions that affect the respiratory system. You will evaluate patients with difficulty breathing, research, test and develop new medications. You will also care for and treat chronic respiratory diseases and provide critical care. You will run diagnostic tests to determine pulmonary conditions affecting patients and administer care to help them. This is a rapidly growing field with new positions expected to grow at 21 percent per year through 2028.

The C-SC Difference

You will earn your degree through a partnership with Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences in Quincy, Ill. You complete general education courses and prerequisite courses during your first year on the C-SC campus. The program allows you to learn the skills needed to provide therapeutic and diagnostic services to patients with heart and lung disorders. You will begin respiratory courses during your sophomore year, practicing your skills at the state-of-the art Blessing Simulation Center. You will complete over 900 hours of clinical experiences.

Respiratory therapy is a very hands-on career. We spend a lot of time learning and practicing in the lab before going to the hospitals for clinical. Students will always be with a clinical preceptor during their clinical time. We take care of all patient populations. Clinical experiences start out on the general adult floors assessing patients, administering breathing treatments and inhalers, performing electrocardiograms, drawing arterial blood gases, etc. Students will then spend time with patients in the ICU and ER, setting up and managing ventilators as well as a variety of other skills. Other patient care areas include, but not limited to, pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), pulmonary function testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, hyperbarics, and management.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen need:

  • 22 ACT/1100 SAT or higher, or pass the HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) exam (waived thru Spring 2023)
  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Transfers need:

  • 22 ACT/1100 SAT or higher, or pass the HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) exam (waived thru Spring 2023)
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
  • Support Course GPA of 2.7 or higher
  • Completion of the following prerequisites: English Composition I, General Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Lifespan Development

My time at BRCN has been both impactful and beneficial to my education and my future. The learning environment is set around the needs of the students and molds to fit individual needs as well. As a Respiratory student, I feel my instructors prepared me for the certification exams that we must complete before employment.

– Megan Reinhardt

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What can I do with a Respiratory Care Degree?

Respiratory Therapist in the emergency room, geriatrics, adult or pediatrics
Sleep Center Technologist
Sleep Disorder Specialist
Pulmonary Function Technician

The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and provisionally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

and has continuing accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Beyond the Classroom

  • Student Experiences
    • Course and lab work to prepare for hospital clinicals
    • Experience care with all patient populations
    • Skills in areas including pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), pulmonary function testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, hyperbarics, and management.
  • Professional Experiences
    • Clinical and Practicums are built into your program
    • Attendance at conferences and speaking engagements
    • Summer work experiences