Several "bridge" programs allow registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) to apply their current knowledge and skill toward a registered nursing (RN) degree. Enrolling in RRT to RN bridge programs offered at many two-year schools is an excellent way to open the door to professional nursing jobs in a wide variety of health care settings. Finding an accredited, state approved RT to RN bridge program online is more difficult because nursing is a hands on degree requiring many clinical hours of observation and practice.
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s LPN/Paramedic/RRT to RN Bridge Program requires a total of 74 credit hours to receive an associate in applied science in nursing degree. Coursework includes human development, mental health principles, LPN/Paramedic to RN care and transition concepts, LPN/Paramedic/RRT articulation principles and nursing team coordination. Supporting classes include communication, English, psychology, microbiology, physiology, human anatomy, chemistry and math and humanities electives. Students are required to take a final project seminar. Students looking to transfer courses should contact the admissions office to determine if they are eligible for this selective RRT to RN bridge program . Classes start each fall.
Kansas City Kansas Community College 7250 State Avenue Kansas City, KS 66112 913-334-1100 kckcc.edu
Austin Community College Mobility Track
Austin Community College in Texas offers respiratory therapist to RN programs as one of their pathways to an associate of applied science in nursing degree. The 60 credit RRT to RN bridge program at ACC is called a mobility track. Prerequisites include courses like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, human growth, ethics and communication. Three semesters are spent in classrooms, labs and clinical settings learning nursing skills. Admission is limited to a certain number of students each year. Graduates of the RRT to RN bridge program may apply to take the Texas nursing exam, as part of the requirements for an RN license in that state.
Austin Community College 5930 Middle Fiskville Road Austin YX 78752 512-223-4222 austincc.edu
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
The Department of Nursing at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia offers an RRT to RN bridge program that prepares student to attain an associate of science in nursing degree. Students enrolled in ABAC’s licensed respiratory therapist to RN programs can complete their studies is just one year and qualify to sit for the Georgia state RN license. Classes are held one day a week, and then students apply what they learned in the classroom to clinical settings on subsequent days. Hands-on experiences include working in specialized areas such as pediatrics, mental health or surgery.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 2802 Moore Highway Tifton GA 31793 800-733-3653 abac.edu
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Misty Faucheux became a freelance writer in 1998 and has been an editor since 2004. She has written for a variety of websites and blogs, specializing in topics ranging from digital photography to computer systems to digital media. Faucheux received a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Loyola University New Orleans.