Since 1989, MeritCare Health Systems has been affiliated with North Dakota State University in offering the professional phase of a Bachelor of Science degree, major in Respiratory Care. The MeritCare Respiratory Care Program enrolls 12 students annually and offers a curriculum leading to a registered respiratory therapist (RRT) status in the profession of Respiratory Care. Upon completion of the twelve-month internship, a certificate of completion is awarded, qualifying the intern to apply for the National Board for Respiratory Care exams. Completion of an additional four-week clinical specialty is needed to obtain the baccalaureate degree. The MeritCare RC program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

RC 494 (4 credits) consists of 4 weeks of 40 hours (160 hours) in a clinical specialty, a research project, and classroom instruction (8 lecture hours). The clinical hours may be completed Summer Session, during June or July, or during Fall semester. The research project is to be completed and written as an abstract during Summer Session.

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After each block of class and clinical, students will be scheduled for evaluations by the program faculty. The primary purpose of these evaluations is to provide feedback to the student on academic and clinical performance. Students are encouraged to use the evaluation time to offer feedback to faculty and discuss any issues or concerns they may have.

Each instructor will explain the grading procedures for each classroom, laboratory, and clinical course of the internship. Student's grades will be reported to the NDSU registrar's office at the end of each academic term. Grades for each course will be reported as A, B, C, D, or F.

Internship Awards

Student awards are given in the following categories:

• Academic Performance: given to the student with the highest academic GPA in the internship.

• Clinical Performance: given to the student with the highest clinical preceptor scores in the internship.

While an intern, students continue to pay tuition to NDSU for credits enrolled. In addition, the following is a tentative list of expenses for the 2007-2008 internship year.

• Books=$550.00
• Equipment, i.e. stethoscope, caliper, scissors, penlight, screwdriver=$90.00
• Scrubs/lab coat=$80.00
• Lab Fees=$75.00
• AARC Student Membership=$50.00
• Mock Board Exams=$250.00
• NDSRC Convention Registration=$50.00
• MeritCare RC Graduation fees, i.e. framed certificate and school pin=$35.00

Other Non-Internship Fees Needed to Begin Employment as an RT:

• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam fee=$190.00
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exam fee=$390.00
• ND State License=$35.00
• MN Registration=$280.00

  
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