I'm so sorry this has happened to all of you.   How do they have such a stranglehold?  I never understood our credentials expiring (thank God I took mine earlier!).  Do any other healthcare professionals' credentials expire?

I wonder why we cannot rebel and refuse the NBRC, make them irrelevant. If all therapists nationwide rebuke the agency and all new therapists refuse to take the exam, we can strangle the system down.  There will be a terrible shortage of therapists.  While we are at it, we can demand they eliminate the all-but-useless CRT, since almost everywhere requires the RRT.  That exam has seemed to me like nothing more than a money-making move since CRT programs were eliminated in 2000.

 The NBRC, while claiming to further us as respected professionals, seems to do nothing but bring us down and take our money.  Where does all this money go?  How hard is it for a board of several top industry professionals to keep the tests current and relevant?  How often do they need to review it?  Why should they get paid at all???  I think we could and should call for either reformation or elimination of the NBRC ( I vote the latter) and hand all those duties over to the AARC, who has proven time and again they are our strongest advocate, our voice.

 
People, it is time we ban together, otherwise know as UNIONIZE.  In unity, we have strength.  Unions changed the face of our country 100 years ago.  This has been lost.  We are continually stepped on, treated like lesser members of the healthcare community.  We have just as much schooling as RNs do.  Why do we get paid less?  Why do nursing unions exist but not respiratory.  In Alaska, the RN union is strong.  The RTs would be required to unionize with other ancillary staff, some of which are support staff in a hospital, non-medical support staff.  What???  I believe Michigan has a strong RT union.  Lets get them to help us form a nationwide union, which could include Canada, as well.  We could be the IBRT....International Brotherhood of Respiratory Therapists.  I like it already.

Strength In Unity. 

 
Good luck with the NBRC.

Brad

 

Jennifer,

I hate to be the barer of even more bad news but due to some interesting developments and a new description of Respiratory Therapist by Medicare which for now only applies to CORF therapists but in the future and probably not so distant one.  Medicare has designated that CRT's are not qualified to treat Medicare patients see Federal register CMS-1403-FC pages 357 thru 365 they feel CRT's can only work under an RRT or Physician supervision.  Hospitals are sure to jump on this, so you will also need to retake the registry as well.

 

Laura

Laurasdobes@aol.com

This is a little off topic, but, I have been dealing with the NBRC recently with regards to testing/credentialing and have found them to be not at all helpful and very condescending. Once they have your money in their pocket, they seem to hold you hostage without any regard for your personal circumstance, even when you are totally compliant with their rules. If therapists treated their patients the way the NBRC treats their members, therapists would be without jobs.

Brad- you are so right- the NBRC needs to be eliminated. There is no reason for this board to exist except to form and give examinations, which could easily be done by the AARC and AMP. Perhaps then, our examinations would also deal with current material instead of 10% of the exam dealing with IPPB! The AARC has backed respiratory therapists for years, and is constantly working to keep respiratory therapists up with current legislation. Yaaay AARC!!! You rock!!! Boooo NBRC! you suck rotten soulless vampire eggs!!! Get some employees that have aren't jerkoffs!! Stop taking advantage of the little poor helpless respiratory guy!! Why does it take you a month for a currently licensed (formerly credentialed) respiratory therapist just to get SIGNED UP for an exam?? Youve had all of my information for over six years!!! Is Paul Revere delivering it on horseback??

And yes, you are right about the now defunct CRT credential- it also needs to be eliminated!!! We see now that medicare laws will make the credential useless, its just a matter of time until all therapists will have to be RRTd, and when that happens, I think we will have A LOT more therapists speaking out against the NBRC.

Finally, respiratory therapists HAVE been walked on for too long- right, brad- why do our wages differ so much from other fields that require the same amount of schooling?? Because hospitals and the field have continued to base salaries on a defunct credential that required less schooling! We are not respected in the field because of that credential- most doctors and nurses do not understand that we go to school for as long as nurses do, that we take 2 (really three) board exams, and are required to take more CEUs than any other field in the biz. The whole system is based on the stupid CRT credential!! This has to change!!

I'm okay with the union (I really like the brotherhood, it makes me think of the masons and black hooded capes, brad!), except that I worry that our patients wouldn't get taken care of if we decided to strike, any thoughts on that?  

In the meantime- to other therapists- what are your thoughts on eliminating the NBRC and the CRT exam??? Is this the sort of legislation that we could actually work towards?? Any ideas how?? 

Jen - you can email me directly at jmray69@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

And Jimmy jones: you aren't off topic at all- this is EXACTLY what we are talking about- that the NBRC is the rudest foundation that ever existed, that they are completely uninformed about their OWN laws and rules,, and that we are tired of being used and treated badly. All they care about is money money money, or they themselves would have gotten  rid of the CRT exam. And they only care about imposing uncalled for punishments on their own therapists in order to get more money.

At their own hearings, they go on and on about how the field is desperate for new therapists, how we are about to lose 30% of our field to retirement, "what can we do?" How about treating the incoming therapists and current therapists with a little respect? Do you think that our new graduates are recommending the respiratory field to their friends? After dealing with the NBRC?? After taking a job with a much lower salary than nurses have?? After they are forced to pay another $500 to take the RRT in order to keep working in the field?? (And by the way, soon the law will state that respiratory therapists will have to be RRTd WITH a bachelor's degree in order to take care of Medicare patients- watch and see.... ) All I see posted on boards is- "Go into nursing- it pays better, they get more respect!!"

in the meantime- About the NBRC: Send them some stamps!!! They need envelopes!! Please!! 

jen 

Well, today I got an envelope (yes! not a postcard!) from the NBRC, and I was sooooo excited- was I going to finally be able to sign up to take my test?? (I faxed my application on the 6th of this month, haven't been able to work for months, no unemployment compensation, and two weeks ago, my daughter and I lost our home.)

But NOOOOOOO, what was I thinking? I mean this is the NBRC we are talking about, isn't it??? The letter informed me that my application process had been discontinued because I had neglected to enclose a form of payment with my application. UGGGGHHHHHHH!

The only thing on the application was:

1. my name

2. my address

3. my credit card number, expiration date

4. a box checked that I want to recredential myself by taking the CRT exam

5. my signature

 

THAT IS IT!!!! HOW COULD THEY MESS THIS !?%$#* UP?? HOW? Now I KNOW THEY ARE MESSING WITH ME!! 

Of course I called today (friday) and they are shut down for the holidays. All comfy in their nice little homes for the weekend, while I lose my mind!

Sooooo, Monday I'm calling, and if there is one little tiny bit of problems (and there will be, because they are not nice people) I am getting in my car and I am DRIVING EIGHT HOURS DOWN TO KANSAS (EACH WAY) AND I AM CAMPING OUT IN THEIR LOBBY UNTIL THEY PROCESS MY APPLICATION SO THAT I CAN TAKE MY TEST. It's already been almost a month to process 5 little bits of information, and apparently they haven't yet learned how to read, and so I will have to drive sixteen hours to assist them!! I've already mapquested the trip, and will be packing this weekend in preparation. Don't be surprised if the big  news in Olathe, Kansas is the respiratory therapist (oh, excuse me- formerly credentialed respiratory therapist) that got put in jail for refusing to leave the NBRC lobby!!!

I'll keep you up to date....
 

jennifer,

they are definetely ?,x?ing with you. i think if you dont get ur test date on monday u should drive down there. this is freaking ridiculous. let me know if i can help you in any way, and keep me informed as to what happens.  NBRC SUCKS!!!!!!!

 

matt 

Hello Jennifer,

I am just reading your message and my heart goes out to you and your family.  I have just passed my boards and I am now an RRT almost three years out of school.  It was very heard to save the money for my exams as I was only working PRN.  So I know how hard it is to get the money together to pay for the exams.  I wanted to know if you have gotten this resovled with the NBRC and have a date to take your exam.  Also to give you some words of encourgement NEVER GIVE UP.  I know you said that you are only going to take your CRT but now it seems that you can't get a job without having your RRT so please reconsider taking the Registry Exam.  I know it sucks but if you don't then the NBRC has won.  And you and your family will have to suffer even more.  I hope every thing works out for you.  Take Care. Luria Dantzler, RRT

---

Luria Dantzler,RRT

I asked Sam Giordano to review this thread.  He repled that he is sharing this with the NBRC.  Sam is the Executive Director of the AARC.  My email to him and his reply is below.

 

Adam,

Hello Jennifer,

I was just looking on to check to see if their was any new updates on your case.  I wanted to know have you started to take your exams and if so how is it going.  Keep at it.

---

Luria Dantzler,RRT

Same thing happened to me.  It is very hard to talk to the NBRC.  I tried to explain to them that the requirements were not made clear.  Most of the therapists I work with have been in the field for many years and do not have to comply with these new rules.  consequently, they know nothing about this and were surprised to hear that it was possible to "lose" your credentials once earned.  I am still not clear on the requirements for GA, whether the state license is all that is required to work or if I have to have the NBRC credentials.  I 100% agree that the NBRC is doing this only for money.  If their concern is that they want to be sure that therapists stay current on respiratory happenings, then the requirement should be for all therapists not just those who graduated after 2005.  And their testing needs to be updated, most of what is on the tests are irrelevant or outdated.  It seems they are the ones who need to be tested.

 

Very disappointed!

I graduated in 1995 with my Associate's  in Respiratory Care. The NBRC did not get me loans or grants, my credit did that. The NBRC did not get me through school, I studied and passed the courses. I've worked in home care, SNFs, general floor, SCUs, ICUs, CVICUs, PACUs, EMDs, both through agency work and being on staff. I've been the night shift supervisor, and I've proctored students. I've done all of the above with a CRTT credential. Did the NBRC get me those jobs? No, I did it all myself.

 I've done open-hearts for years, not to mention labor & delivery. By my count, I'm directly involved in saving a life every week on average. I suppose everything I've done, every family I've helped, every person I've aided in some way-  none of that matters. I'm only a CRTT, registry eligible, but only a CRTT.

The only time I EVER hear from the NBRC is every 2 years they want me to pay them a fee so they will put my name in some directory. And, of course, I hear every couple of years when they raise fees on tests. If at all possible, I will have nothing to do with the NBRC.

Hey Jennifer,

I need your help if you can in any way.I hope that you check this soon and get back with me because I seem to find everyone but they never get back with me, my personal email is millerhealthcare@yahoo.com I had my licsence taken away from me also I live in Louisiana, so I am told that I have to retake the CRT board then the RRT no more than 60 days after taking the CRT. Please get in contact with me and I can share more because I m not sure how long it has been since you have last logged into this site, so I will be looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks, Toni