The medical field has become one of the most diverse and popular fields of study for students looking for a rewarding career. Gannon certainly excels in educating students in the health care field and helps students refine the skills necessary for life-long success. One of the many programs Gannon offers is the respiratory care program.

Respiratory care therapists play an important role in every day medical care. To put it simply, you can live without food for a few weeks. You can live without water for a few days. But you will only last a few minutes without air. Respiratory care therapists play an essential role in hospitals.

If you choose to pursue a career in respiratory care, there are two paths you can take. Gannon offers a two-year associate’s degree and a four-year bachelor’s degree, both of which allow students to earn the appropriate certification needed to become a respiratory therapist. The major difference between the degrees is that the bachelor’s degree is focused more for individuals who want a more specialized job or are seeking advancement within the workplace. While both degrees offer great opportunities, the bachelor’s degree can provide more freedom.

Specializations that four-year respiratory care students can choose include:

-Neonatal care
-Cardiopulmonary diagnostics
-Helicopter transport
-Patient education
-Management
-Home care
-Polysomnography

Gannon respiratory care students enjoy many perks. First, Gannon prides itself in state-of-the-art equipment. Simulation labs, computer-assisted instruction and up-to-date medical equipment are available at the students’ leisure to better enhance their learning experience. In addition to on campus facilities, Gannon students enjoy having many hospitals in the Erie area where they will complete over 800 hours of clinical time. UPMC Hamot, Saint Vincent Health Center and WCA hospital provide diverse learning experiences that apply directly to the clinical part of respiratory care.

If you are looking for a rewarding career and have a desire to help people, look into the medical field. If you find that this is the path you want to take, then the respiratory care program at Gannon University is just one of the programs that can lead to a life-long success.