CHCS - Perspectives Summer/Fall 2017

College of Health Care Sciences 25 Taking the FSRC by Storm By Jennifer Bencsik, M.H.A., RRT, Director of Clinical Education, Respiratory Therapy Program THE DEPARTMENT of Cardiopulmonary Sciences began the winter 2017 semester with several interesting community service and educational events for its Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy students, including the annual confer- ence for the Florida Society for Respiratory Care (FSRC). The FSRC is an affiliate of the American Association for Respiratory Care, whose goals include advancing the respiratory therapy profession through standardization and lobbying, as well as educational lectures and conferences. This year’s FSRC Sunshine Seminar took place on February 9–10 in Daytona Beach. The Student Government Association provided funding for the first- and second-year students to not only attend the event, but also paid for travel expenses and overnight accommodations. This was the second community-based event of the month where the first- and second-year students collaborated. The second-year students were mentors to their first-year peers and displayed valuable leadership skills. The morning of February 9 began with a continental breakfast in the Vendor Exhibit Hall. During this time, the students spoke with various vendors, who were demonstrating and discuss- ing the latest equipment and technology used in respiratory therapy, and interacted with hospital recruiters, who were hiring new staff members. Following breakfast, the NSU students attended a student- specific conference that allowed them to attend sessions with students from other programs within the state and learn from renowned guest lecturers. The first session reinforced and validated the commitment NSU students made to obtain their bachelor’s degree, as it emphasized the profession’s direction toward advancing the educational standard. Most respiratory programs nationwide are still at the associate level; however, NSU has one of the only baccalaureate-level programs in the state. One event that takes place every year at the Sunshine Semi- nar is the Student Sputum Bowl. The competitive, interactive, trivia-style game places students from 10 respiratory therapy programs against each other in a timed, fast-paced environ- ment. The NSU students, who were participating for the first time, comprised two teams with three students each. The questions were challenging. It was clear the other schools had participated before and had prepared in advance, as they reviewed notecards between rounds. Nevertheless, the NSU students successfully surpassed several of the partici- pating respiratory programs and went on to compete in two additional rounds of questions. Although they did not win, the students demonstrated pride in standing strong against other schools. Overall, the Sunshine Seminar was an exciting opportunity that showcased NSU’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy students’ hard work and dedication to achieve academic success. ● Student participation proved invaluable at the FSRC Sunshine Seminar.