Walters State’s respiratory care class of 2010 has achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Board of Respiratory Care exam on the first try. The national average is 51 percent.
     “I extend my congratulations to these new health care professionals. A 100 percent pass rate on such a difficult and comprehensive exam shows the dedication and commitment of our faculty and students,” said Dr. Wade B. McCamey, president of Walters State.
     “While Walters State has long been known for its excellent nursing program, numbers like this are building a reputation for all of our health care programs,” he said.
     Marty Rucker, dean of health programs at Walters State, said the college’s clinical partners contributed greatly to the success of this year’s class.
     “The performance of this class is evidence of the outstanding support the respiratory care program receives from the community of health care providers in our region,” Rucker said. In addition to classroom and lab training, students also complete clinical rotations at area hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and physician offices.
     This marks the fourth year the program has had such a remarkable pass rate. This year, though, the test was a little tougher. These are the first Walters State students to take the Registered Respiratory Therapist exam instead of the Certified Respiratory Therapist exam.
     “This is the first class we’ve had to graduate the advanced-level program,” said Donna Lilly, director of the respiratory care program. “A few years ago we made the decision to move to a RRT program. It’s a big pay raise for our graduates and the demand is greater. We designed a new curriculum, which was approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The changes added a semester to our program, but our students seem pleased.”
     “A variety of quality health care facilities welcome our students. These real-world settings improve both the skill level and the confidence of our students. The program also has a well-designed curriculum, talented students and excellent faculty members,” Rucker added.
     Even though this class took a tough exam, Lilly wasn’t worried about the program’s students.
     “I really expected it. This class has done particularly well,” Lilly said.    “The students have gone to school for years and it all comes down to this test. If you cannot pass it, you cannot work.”
     Lilly also credited the success with the high emphasis placed on clinical experience throughout Walters State’s Division of Health Programs.
     “We do more one-on-one clinical training with the faculty. Instructors Catherine Everhart, Connie Crooks and I stay with our students during clinical training. The student feels more comfortable asking questions and it makes for a smooth transition,” Lilly explained.
     While Lilly doesn’t know the job placement number right now, she expects it to be 100 percent also, as it has been the past few years.
     “Because of the number of aging baby boomers and the high incidence of respiratory ailments, respiratory therapists are really in demand,” she added.

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