Respiratory Therapist Current Students

Are you a current student in the Respiratory Therapist program? You have embarked on studies for an important career, where you will help patients with breathing disorders and cardiovascular problems.

As you get started in this program, review important program materials like compliance information, registration and orientation details, program statistics, and more.

Course registration information for Respiratory Therapy students is located below. Please read the following information that will be helpful when registering for your next semester classes:

  • Priority registration information has been sent to you via email for the upcoming semester
  • Register for classes through MyHub
  • Remember to run your degree audit (through MyHub) to ensure you are on track for graduation
     

Questions? Call 319-398-5566 or visit Allied Health in 2164 Linn Hall for assistance.

Attendance at the Respiratory Therapist Technical Program orientation is mandatory. Orientation is Tuesday, August 16, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., in 3112 Linn Hall, on the Cedar Rapids campus.

This technical orientation is program-specific and separate from New Student Orientation. Please review the compliance section in the program handbook on Talon for the Respiratory Therapist program. Do not order an account on CastleBranch until after your technical orientation.

Questions?

Liliana Hoffnagle, Respiratory Therapy Program Director

liliana.hoffnagle@kirkwood.edu

319-398-5520

Have more questions about this program, or want to dive deeper into the program details? Read the Respiratory Therapist Program student handbook, which can be accessed by current students by logging in to Talon.

Statistics

View outcome data from the Annual Report of Current Status for all Respiratory Therapy programs in the United States from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Specific statistics for Kirkwood’s program are listed in alphabetical order by state. Please note, the statistics listed are a three-year running average. Current statistics for Kirkwood’s program will be discussed at the program conference.

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690

817-283-2835

www.coarc.com

The clinical experience is one of the most important elements in any respiratory therapist program. Kirkwood is proud to be affiliated with some of the finest hospitals in Eastern Iowa, including:

Students participate in clinicals during four semesters and rotate between different units and/or hospitals every week. Clinical adjunct orient and guide students through their first clinical semester.

As students gain experience and confidence, they receive individual instruction from staff therapists and clinical faculty appointees. Clinical faculty are always available for consultation and to answer questions.

The clinical curriculum can be summarized as follows:

  • RC Clinic I: One day per week, 8 hrs/day  (first year, spring semester)
  • Summer Clinicals:  Three clinical days for 8 hrs/day, (Total=24 hrs done during 2nd 6 weeks of summer)
  • RC Clinic II: Two days per week for 12 weeks, (Total= 16 hrs/week: Two 8 hour shifts) (Second year, fall semester)
  • RC Clinic III: Two days per week for 12 weeks, (Total= 24hrs/week: Two 12 hour shifts)(second year, spring semester)


90 percent of the clinics are on day shift (5:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.) or (5:45 a.m. - 7 p.m.)

Most clinic sites are within a 90-minute drive of Cedar Rapids. Students should plan for the added expense of clinical travel and parking.

In the fall of 2013, Kirkwood Community College signed an articulation agreement with Weber State University located in Salt Lake City, UT. The articulation agreement will allow students who successfully complete the Associates of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy at Kirkwood Community College and who successfully pass the Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Board Exam to transfer and complete a bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy from Weber State University.

The bachelor's degree coursework is entirely online and will allow students to work during the completion of their degree.

Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree Completion Program

Students wishing to attend Weber State University to complete their bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy must fulfill the following requirements through Kirkwood Community College:

  • Graduate from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Respiratory Therapy (RT) AFTER 2013 with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher                  
  • Pass the Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Exam
  • Have a current NBRC RRT credential 
  • Complete ENG-106: Composition II and a TRANSFER level math course prior to leaving Kirkwood Community College (Ex: MAT-138 College Algebra with Limits or MAT-120: College Algebra)
  • AHA Healthcare Provider CPR and AARC Membership is current
 

The priority deadline to apply for the BS in Respiratory Therapy program is May 1 of each year for a fall semester start date; however, we will continue to accept applications until we have a full class. Schedule a meeting with Alisa Kimball in the Respiratory Therapy Department to answer any questions you may have: alisakimball@weber.edu or 801-395-3329

Questions regarding financial aid and scholarships? Click here.

Tuition per credit can be found by clicking here and scrolling toward the bottom of this website.


For general questions please contact:

Liliana Hoffnagle, Respiratory Therapy Program Director

Liliana.Hoffnagle@kirkwood.edu

319-398-5520

 


Questions? 

Contact Allied Health 
319-398-5566 

2164 Linn Hall