Hi, I am a former RRT, having just lost my credentials and my job because of the new NBRC CEU program/laws. I graduated with honors in my RRT eligible program, took the CRT one month out of school, and a year later I took the RRT on my own. (I was a firm believer in being at the top of our field, constantly looking to better myself as a therapist). The NBRC apparently enacted the CEU program (they don't call them CEU's, just another source of confusion) in November of 2002, and neglected to make their law clear to their new therapists. Even now, few are aware of what is required. A number of us (newly credentialed therapists) walked around asking hospital management and veteren therapists what it all meant, never getting a proper answer because the law did not apply to them. Did this mean that we had to get the NBRC CEUs in addition to out state CEUs? Why did we have an expiration date on our credentialing cards while no one else did? Even now, after having just lost everything, therapist everywhere are confused when I tell them my story. My former boss and his girlfriend are both on the Illinois Board for Respiratory Care and they had no idea about any of this when it started happening. I know that Advance magazine did an article on losing our credentials, but even the author is incorrect when she implies that there isn't much in the way of consequences to losing our NBRC credentials- because all hospitals (in my state anyhow) require those credentials to work.
	Sorry... I'm taking up soooo much space telling this story!! I digress. My credentials expired on June 30th of this year. I recieved ONE rather ambiguous postcard from the NBRC, although they insist that they sent out a postcard one year ago also. Can anyone tell me why they couldn't spend 40 cents to mail out a LETTER instead of a postcard, given the importance of such a document?? It's as if they purposely send out a get-lost postcard to ensure that you will have to pay them the $900 to get your credentials back!!! Not knowing that my life was about to fall apart, I logged into the website EIGHT days late to type the CEUs that I already had done for the state of Illinois, only to be told that my credentials had expired. I called the NBRC to find out what was going on, and they told me that I had two years to retake these now mandatory exams, that I would have to pay close to $900 to regain my now useless credentials, and that they would report to the STate of Illinois after two years, thus losing my Respiratory license as well. (They've later recanted this last bit, they have no hold over my Illinois license.) Devestated, I reached out to all that I knew in high places (therapists on the AARC, ISRC, etc). They tried desperately to help, but the NBRC refuses to budge. Secondary to my reaching out for help from these higher ups, they became aware of my non-credentialed self and I was let go from my job. I was refused unemployment, it's my fault that I didn't keep my credentials up to date. So now, nearly six years after graduation, I am studying to retake my boards, an unemployed single mother, trying desperately to summon up the money to take my boards so that I can work again. Worse, about six months ago, I unloaded all of my respiratory books, kettering seminar stuff, and so have nothing to study from. Is there anyone out there that would be willing to help me by letting me borrow their kettering CRT book? or to sell it to me cheaply??
	I would be forever indebted!!! I was a really really good therapist (just ask any of my patients!) and this has just got to be the worst situation ever!! Everyone has to know that the punishment that the NBRC has given me for NOT TYPING IN 100 words into the computer (that's really it!!) does not match my "crime". To say that I hate the NBRC would be putting it lightly, and I will only be taking the CRT board exam (AGAIN!!), not the RRT... I refuuuuuuuse to hand over a dime more to the NBRC than absolutely necessary to get me working again. Money grubbing soul-less. Thanks for listening to this saga, please help... Jen in chicago

PS-

By the way, I just wanted to mention that I would have understood if the NBRC had made me pay more money or something for being late in inputting my CEU's- you know, like having to pay a late fee. But not losing my job, losing my credentials, having to pay $900 to retake the board exams I've already taken, and the worst thing is- having to restudy two and a half years of schoooling  in preparation for the board exam. I've forgotten all of the NBRC's stupid tricks at the "NBRC Hospital", which we all know are unlike anything that we use in real life situations. Uggh- A a gradients!!

 

 

Find comfort in the warmth of home and family.

It's your license that determines your ability to work.  Not your NBRC credential.  In many, most all states it's this credential that gets your initial license.  But once licensed losing your NBRC credential should not impact your state license.  If you maintain your license you can work.  Now if you were to move or for some other reason need to apply for a new license it would be an issue. 

 

This all varies state by state and I will make a point to look up your states licensure and reply again.  But I would think you could work.  If true you may have a case for wrongful termination.  I've never seen a position description that specifically required a NBRC credential.

Hi Jennifer,

I cannot say I have heard of this incident that you are speaking about, I did however have a big problem with the NBRC when I passed my RRT exam..I passed and completed it on April 5th, and never got my stuff until October..I had to call everyday, and spoke with a woman by the name of Wandra, whom is very nice... however, I never got my certificate, my wallet card, my patch....I got each one ... ONE at a time... I told them I earned it, I paid a hell of alot of money for it and it was a disgrace that I had to call at least 10 times and left messages.

 

I graduated in 2005, so I will definitley keep my eye out.... I am trying to understand what happened.. you got all of your required ceu's or not. I am confused... Let me know , but I do know that the NBRC is a waste.  I would rather deal with the AARC anytime..

 

Talk to you soon

Maureen Wilcox, RRT from Philadelphia

 

 

I did browse your state license and could not find any reference to requiring the NBRC credential beyond initial licensing.  There seems to be something missing from your account of what happened.  It also sounds as though you have had a number of people look at this for you.  I would be willing to look into this furher if you would like and at least get you a good answer.  It would also be educational for me as I have a staff of 70 therapist.  If you would like you can contact me at anorth@ololrmc.com. 

hey jennifer,

i read your blog and i just want you to know that my heart goes out to you and your family and if i can help you in any way please let me know. its time we as not only therapist but individuals stick together. ok, the real reason im here is to tell you and others out there my story just as you have told yours. my director called me at home the other day and told me that human resources had called and said that my nbrc license had expired. i called the nbrc and sure enough they told me my credential had expired in january 2008. i tod them that i knew nothing about a renewal period and what did i need to do to make my credentials good again. she told me that i would have to retake my rrt written and clinical sims again and that it would cost 200 for the sims, 140 for the written and 300 for the reinstatement fee. my heart dropped to the floor as i was devestated to know that i had been stripped of my livelyhood. i begged and pleaded with her and she said im sorry sir but that is the rule. i asked her why they had not sent anything telling me to renew, and to that she replied we sent out three notices to which was to the wrong address. i told her i had my ceus and the 125 dollars needed to renew and would even be willing to pay a late fee and i promised in the next five years i would not let this mistake happen again and would educate the rest of my department as to renewing there credentials as well. to that she said im sorry sir but you have two years to retake the test or you will lose your credentials and plus she told me that this only applys to people who took the exam after july of 2002. i said back to her, what makes the thousands of therapist who took the same rrt test before july 2002 any different than me and the thousands who have taken the test since, to which she had no reply. now you older therapist please dont take this the wrong way, because my beef is not with you, my problem is this whole thing sounds like a money racket and im going to help there cause. i was told when i got my state license that i would need to renew every year and it would be 10 ceu plus 1oo dollars. well, not only do they send me a letter and email every year, but also my director tells me a month in advance that it is due plus its due on my birthday, just like my drivers license is. my point is, i have no problem fulfilling my obligations when im aware of them and i will have no problem now keeping this up to date, but to take away my livelyhood now because of a misunderstanding after i worked so hard to get my license is obsured and heartless. both me and my kids depend on my rrt credentials and because i work for the v.a. its a must with them as well. if there is anyone out there who can help me in the right direction i pray to God you will come forward and help my situation. im not even sure i can pass the rrt test now, which would then mean i would need to pay another 640 dollars. this all comes during this terrible economic times and during the peak of my kids christmas. anyways, just looking for someone to guide me in the right direction or if nothing else some moral support would be good. i will be ok though, but un fair is unfair. and jennifer, again my heart and prayers go out to you and your family and if this does not get resolved i want to wish you good luck on your test and nothing but the best for your future. write me or call me and let me know either what you find out or any concerns you have with the exam and how you did. my number is 318-470-3032 or you can email me at miami9111@yahoo.com

sincerely,

matt              

 

Maureen, Yes- I do have all of my CEUs, more than required, because our state requires 26 every two years, which I have always done. I was simply late eight days TYPING those CEUs into the computer. that's all.

So, I get it- I was late, and so I should have to pay a late/penalty fee to the NBRC, make me fax those CEUs within 48 hours or something, whatever reasonable punishment they'd like to impose. But this is ridiculous!!!! And I checked with my Illinois licensing board: If you are late submitting your CEUs to the state, you have to pay a late fee AND DRIVE Down to Springfield IL (not close to most people) to SHOW them your CEUS. A painful thing, but at least you wouldn't have to lose your job and come up with a $1000 and take your boards again!!

 and, like you, I am WAAAAAIIIITTTTTINNGGG for the NBRC to process my application, they say 7-10 business days, but I don't see proof of that happening yet. In the meantime, I've had to leave my 8 year old daughter with family so that she can go to school, and I've had to take a live-in caretaker job with an old guy (he's sooo sweet!), at $10 hour, so that I can summon up enough money to pay for the exams, and still pay my bills. Ugh.

 Thanks for your post, I hope that I'll be able to take this exam in the next few weeks. Jenn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt- I'm so sad to hear that this is happening to so many of us, I wish that the NBRC would hear our cry that they are being unreasonable and cold. Truly, in this economic environment, to be so cold... Even people who are in foreclosure on their mortgages are being given a grace period. So, do you HAVE to have your RRT to work, or can you just work on your CRT credentials? They took away BOTH of my credentials, and as I've already said, I will only be taking the CRT- I have no intention of "being at the top of my field" with a Board that DOES NOT SUPPORT ITS THERAPISTS. Where were the letters from the NBRC over the years?? Shouldn't they have been in touch with us constantly, letting us know about new laws and requirements. And calling and speaking to them is like going to the drivers license bureau- they are sooooo rude!!! And not knowledgeable about their own requirements- one guy told me that I would lose my Illiinois Respiratory License after two years!!

Anyhow- my future is clear, I still have to take the CRT, as getting any work right now is next to impossible... and I re-bought (because I had thrown out all of my respiratory text books about 9 months ago- why would I need them? and the hospital didn't want them) the kettering CRT exam prep series via Ebay. As I'm studying, it's all coming back, all the physics and formulas. Don't worry Matt- it's still all there in the back of your head, we just don't use it at all in practice, and in most cases, don't use the machines they are testing us on. They are a TON of questions on IPPB- I think I used that twice 7 years ago at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, haven't seen one since. You know and I know that hospitals don't like us using equipment that  

is so ambiguous, and difficult for other practitioners to read and understand. But as I say it's still back there, and PLEASE get yourself the Kettering book to study from (as I said, from ebay), it's made a world of difference. I initially just went on line to try to gather my own information, and I was in tears from being so overwhelmed!! The kettering sums up the years of schooling so well. I've even learned a thing or two- like I didn't know that the Venti Mask was considered a High flow device- I thought that since it only provided 50% FIO2, that it was a low flow. I guess because it entrains, blah blah? (I thought that a High flow had to give 100%?)

Anyhow, good luck to you and your family, matt... And I hope the NBRC building falls in on itself (okay okay, I hope they have a few minutes to get out first) and ceases to be!

Take care, email me at jmray69@yahoo.com    

jen 

hey jennifer,

i sent u an email, so ill keep this short. if there are other therapist out there who have had there credential stripped away, please reply to our blogs. i think if we can get several people together we can maybe turn the nbrc upside down and take our credentials back. meanwhile, anyone who has any literature for taking the crt or rrt that would be willing to mail to me would be greatly appreciated. i promise i would send it back. my prayers are with you jennifer.

thanks again,

matt

Thank you Matt... I agree with you, we can only hope to effect change if we band together! The NBRC (or is it AMP that is the problem? I don't know...) is a fly by night organization- that is apparently unable to process things in a timely manner, uneducated about their own procedures, and generally rude when speaking to people! Look around!!! They take months to process a simple certificate, they don't receive their own faxes for days and days, when you call them- they are apt to yell and be impatient and rude and threatening! They get very upset that you have not committed yourself to memorizing their application procedures. And again, would somebody please send them some stamps and envelopes so that they stop sending out postcards??!! WHO sends a postcard in this day and age??!!! AND I have yet to receive even a postcard from them saying that I have lost my credentials, and how to obtain them back- After I've already spent over $800 with them to take my boards the first time!! If I lost any other license (driving, respiratory), I would have recieved 10 letters beforre and after telling me!! With them I don't even merit a postcard!!

However, matt, you'll excuse me won't you, if I work to make change AFTER i take the board, pass, and get my certificate, won't you?? I already have a suspicious feeling that they are holding up my application in particular secondary to my posts. (I faxed them my application on the sixth of this month, and have proof of it, and they say they didn't recieve it until the 13th!) (They say- "And then wait two weeks, and then we'll email you, and then there' s the holidays, and then you'll get a testing date, and then if you pass, we'll send you a certificate in a few years so that you'll finally be able to get a job!!!" LOL!! It's true-every word!!  They did send me a Poll email, to let them know WHY I let my credentials "lapse", as if I did it on purpose!!

Anyhow- I'll keep in touch, and as I've said in my email to you, I'll be happy to send you my kettering CRT stuff when I'm done, although I don't know which year that will be as I wait for the nasty bastards residing in cansas (my new name for the nbrc!) jjen 

 

Oh- Adam: Believe it, my friend! I LOST my job at my agency, and at my hospital! Illinois hospitals require CREDENTIALS and LICENSING. I've spoken to the Vice President of the AARC, a manager on the board of the ISRC, the Illinois licensing board (because the NBRC initially screamed at me that If i didn't take my exams in two years, I would lose my illinois license as well, which is a lie!), and the NBRC way too many times, and many many people inbetween. If I was able to regain all that time I spent talking to people trying to understand what was going on, I would have taken my exams, passed, and be back to work already!

jen 

I am so sorry you have been put through such a horrible experience and expense. 

I had a bit of a different situation.  Mine has to do with if you graduated from an accredited school as of 01/2005 then you have 3 yrs to sit for your registry.  I had graduated as a CRTT in '90.  I worked and put my husband through schools, had 2 kids, moved to OH, I was working on my registry 1 class at a time while working f/t.  We lost everything in a flood and CA college refused to let me finish out their program.  I lost $1500 through their heartlessness.  I started going to school locally at night taking 2 classes for every 1 required by the college Fresno City college to try to finish out my degree. I finally completed everything 12/2005, against all odds.  I'd heard a rumor about NBRC requiring you take the Registry in 3 yrs and called to ask them if I was affected by this ruling because it was unclear I was told "no you don't fall into that category".  I received nothing in the mail EVER.  My boss handed me a newsletter a month ago and it was a reminder to all who needed to sit for the exam within 3 yrs.  I once again called NBRC and they said I needed to sit for the registry by this Dec otherwise I will have to retake my CRTT. I don't have the money or the time to study to be able to pass.  I was told that to retake the CRTT won't affect my credentials, or my job that it's just to requalify me to be able to take the registry.  Well, the exam is $199 plus a 2 hour drive each way for me (I'm in a small town), plus time off work, not to mention the anxiety of all this.  I was misinformed by their office in the first place, I feel that if your job and credentials aren't effected then they are simply just after your money.  I had several people interested in going back to school to complete their degrees as I had done but because of this ruling they have decided against it. Not because they don't want to do it but because they refuse to comply with an unfair ruling.  We already passed our exam the first time and have been successfully employed we don't need to REQUALIFY!!!!  Just come out and say we want you to pay more money.  The present economy has hit everyone but the NBRC doesn't care about the people they're SUPPOSED to be representing. Sorry for giving a life history but I went through a lot of hardship to earn my degree only to have the NBRC stop me from attaining what I worked so hard for. Not only me but many others to, I'm sure.  Shame on you NBRC for putting hard working people through more unnesseccary hardship.