Important Dates for Application Process
| Applications Accepted | January - May 31 |
| Watson Glaser Exam | 2/27, 3/25, 4/16, 5/15, 6/3 |
| Interviews (if notified) | May - June |
If you think you may be interested in an exciting career in Respiratory Care, we invite you to remotely attend one of our Orientation Sessions via Zoom. These are scheduled for March 25, April 3, April 29, and May 15 from 1 to 1:30 pm.
Online application for Respiratory Care will be open from January 1st until May 31st.
Breathe Life into Your Career: Become a Respiratory Therapist
Dive into the growing field of healthcare as a respiratory therapist! This vibrant field merges clinical skills with meaningful patient connections, empowering you to enhance lives by tackling respiratory disorders head-on. With the need for skilled therapists on the rise, you'll find a wealth of opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and beyond.
Our respiratory therapy program arms you with essential expertise in pulmonary function testing, mechanical ventilation, and educating patients. Opt for this career path and make a real difference for those struggling to breathe. It's more than a job—it's your chance to breathe new life into the world!
More about Respiratory Care
CoARC Program of Excellence
8 years
in a row
CoARC Distinguished Program
11 years
in a row
Nationally Recognized for Board Pass Rates and Employment
Careers
Respiratory therapy is a rapidly expanding field, experiencing significant demand both locally and nationally. With an average starting salary of $67,000 and a projected growth rate of 13%. Respiratory therapists play a vital role in patient care across diverse healthcare settings, impacting individuals from infants to the elderly. Their expertise is essential in environments such as:
- Intensive care units
- Emergency rooms
- Home healthcare
- Air transport services
- Rehabilitation centers
These versatile professionals contribute to critical care, recovery, and ongoing respiratory support in a variety of dynamic settings.
Skills
Applicants interested in the Respiratory Care program should:
- Be self-motivated and proactive in learning and working environment.
- Exhibit strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with patients.
- Possess critical thinking abilities for making informed / evidence based decisions.
- Thrive in fast-paced settings, demonstrating the ability to adapt quickly.
- Work well both within teams and independently to provide comprehensive care.
What We'll Teach You
Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors essential for success in respiratory care. We focus on preparing graduates to demonstrate competence in the three key learning domains:
- Cognitive (knowledge)
- Psychomotor (skills)
- Affective (professional behavior)
This comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-prepared to practice as registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
Degrees & Credentials
Earn AS degree in Respiratory Care
Upon program completion, graduates can pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exam through the NBRC.
Florida SouthWestern State College also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences. Graduates of the AS Degree Program in Respiratory Care with the RCIS credential will be eligible to apply for the bachelor’s degree to take the upper division courses. Contact us for more information about earning your bachelor’s degree!
Program Information
The Respiratory Therapy Program is a comprehensive 22-month curriculum culminating in 76 credit hours. The program begins in the fall semester on the Lee Campus. Students engage in a wide range of clinical experiences across multiple hospitals located in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier Counties, ensuring a diverse and hands-on learning environment.
How to Apply
The Respiratory Care Program is a limited access program requiring an application to both FSW and the program itself. Once you are admitted to FSW, you can check the program prerequisite requirements and apply by clicking on “Apply to the Respiratory Care Program Now!” at the top of this webpage. Download the info pack at the bottom of the page for more program information.
Contact
For any additional program information, email us at alliedhealth@fsw.edu
Tamra Pacheco
Coordinator Email tpacheco1@fsw.edu
Accreditation
The Florida SouthWestern State College Respiratory Care Associate in Science Degree Program, Edison Campus, (program #200317) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Access to programmatic outcomes can be found here: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/