Respiratory Care Archives - Southwestern Illinois College

SWIC offers Respiratory Care degree – profession ranked 16th in the nation

Southwestern Illinois College Respiratory Care Program Coordinator Diane Dodd could have told you what a great profession Respiratory Care is even before U.S. News and World Report named it the 6th Best Health Care Job and the 16th Best Job in the country for 2022.

“Respiratory Therapists are essential frontline workers who help patients with a variety of respiratory and cardiac issues get better and get back to their healthy lifestyle,” Dodd said. “They play a vital role in hospitals and patient care.”

The magazine ranked the profession high on its list based on the combination of factors such as salary, job market, job satisfaction and stress level.

SWIC offers a two-year, 71-semester-credit Associate in Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care. The program prepares students for entry-level practitioner positions in the profession. Respiratory therapists have a high level of patient contact.

RTs, under the supervision of a physician, see patients of all ages to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of pulmonary problems. The practice of respiratory care entails: monitoring, evaluating and reporting patients’ cardiopulmonary status, providing treatments and ventilatory support to keep the airway open. In addition, RT’s perform sleep studies, metabolic studies, patient, community and family education, home care, discharge planning and follow up, as well as pulmonary rehabilitation.

Applications for the SWIC program are accepted Sept. 1 through May 1 for the following fall semester.

Averaged over a three-year period, 98 percent of SWIC graduates passed the national certification examination required for licensure.

SWIC graduate survey results, also averaged over a three-year period, indicate 94.7 percent of graduates are employed in the profession within 12 months after completing the program.

“RTs are in high demand,” Dodd said. “There is a nationwide shortage and hospitals are looking for new graduates.”

According to the U.S. News and World Report article, the profession is expected to grow by 23 percent between 2020 and 2030, with an estimated 31,100 jobs opening in that time.

In addition, the median salary for Respiratory Therapists in the nation was $62,810 in 2020.

“The program is very hands on,” Dodd said. “Our students work in clinical facilities as part of their education and most students receive multiple job offers from their clinical sites before they even graduate.” 

For more information about the SWIC Respiratory Care program, visit swic.edu/respiratory-care or contact Dodd at 618-235-2700, ext. 5907 or diane.dodd@swic.edu.

Brett Nickerson

Congratulations Brett  Nickerson!

Belleville, IL

Brett Nickerson

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care

Marquita K Sanford

Congratulations Marquita K Sanford!

Belleville, IL

Marquita K Sanford

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care

Carlee Shane

Congratulations Carlee Shane!

Belleville, IL

Carlee Shane

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care

Colby Markus Dix

Congratulations   Colby Markus Dix!

Belleville, IL

Colby Markus Dix

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care

Amber Cole Carnahan

Congratulations   Amber Cole Carnahan!

Belleville, IL

   Amber Cole Carnahan 

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care

Miriam D Patton

Congratulations Miriam D Patton!

Graduation Statement

“In order for us to accomplish our dreams we must make the decisions to become the change we seek. We must always remember to be loving, empathetic, forgiving, and humble, because we owe everything to our ancestors that have paved the way before us to carry on boldly for the generations that will proceed us. Believe in yourself and there is nothing you can’t achieve. On this journey called life always make time to laugh & embrace your surroundings because this is our time to live. Signed Sincerely Yours, The Future”

Belleville, IL

Miriam D Patton

In the degree of

Associate in Arts

Belleville, IL

Miriam D Patton

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care

Kevin Nubbymer

Congratulations Kevin Nubbymer

Belleville, IL

Kevin Nubbymer

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science
Respiratory Care

Nikki Duncan

Congratulations Nikki Duncan

Belleville, IL

Nikki Duncan

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science
Respiratory Care

Alaina Fett

Congratulations Alaina Fett

Belleville, IL

Alaina Fett

In the degree of

Associate in Applied Science
Respiratory Care