Graduate Students' Perspectives on Obtaining a Master's of Science in Respiratory Care.

Background: There has been a push toward degree advancement throughout respiratory care (RC), with many academic institutions creating graduate-level programs. However, many practitioners are apprehensive about advancing their degrees past the entry-into-practice level. Little research exists regard...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Respiratory Care Vol. 70; no. 4; pp. 384 - 393
Autores principales: Koster, Megan S., McHenry, Kristen L., Caldwell-Chadwick, Benjamin G., Null, Megan M.
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Apr2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=184294695&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 184294695
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        00201324
        4GG
      jtl: Respiratory Care
      issn: 00201324
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: Apr2025
      vid: 70
      iid: 4
      pid: 1365
      pub: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
      place: New Rochelle, New York
    artinfo:
      ui:
        184294695
        184294695
        184294695
        10.1089/respcare.11570
        184294695
      ppf: 384
      ppct: 9
      formats:
        fmt:
          – @attributes:
              type: T
          – @attributes:
              type: P
      tig:
        atl: Graduate Students' Perspectives on Obtaining a Master's of Science in Respiratory Care.
      aug:
        au:
          Koster, Megan S.
          McHenry, Kristen L.
          Caldwell-Chadwick, Benjamin G.
          Null, Megan M.
        affil: Drs. Koster and McHenry and Mr. Caldwell-Chadwick are affiliated with Department of Respiratory Care, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho.
      sug:
        subj:
          Student Attitudes Evaluation
          Students, Graduate
          Respiratory Therapists Education
          Education, Respiratory Therapy
          Professional Development
          Human
          United States
          Female
          Male
          Surveys
          Summated Rating Scaling
          Program Implementation
          Motivation
          Financial Support
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Funding Source
          Female
          Male
      ab: Background: There has been a push toward degree advancement throughout respiratory care (RC), with many academic institutions creating graduate-level programs. However, many practitioners are apprehensive about advancing their degrees past the entry-into-practice level. Little research exists regarding the benefits of a graduate-level degree in RC. Methods: A web-based survey was developed to identify the perceived benefits of completing a master's of science in RC (MSRC) program. Graduates from 7 MSRC programs were asked to identify how efficacious the program was in preparing them for new or expanded roles, what types of financial support were received, whether there exists a financial benefit to obtain the degree, and whether the degree supported professional advancement. Two hundred ninety-nine graduates were invited to complete the anonymous web-based survey. One hundred one surveys were initiated, and 98 (32.8%) responses were analyzed. Results: Seventy-two percent of respondents indicated personal motivation for pursuing a graduate-level degree as well as a desire to stay in the field; 89% of respondents indicated that the program prepared them to assume new or expanded roles, and 58% had experienced advancement. Forty-five percent of respondents did not receive tuition reimbursement for degree advancement, and 88% did not receive any scholarship support toward the degree. Finally, graduates reported an average increase in salary of approximately $12,000. Conclusions: Attainment of a graduate-level RC degree through degree advancement remains reliant on intrinsic motivation. Although over half of respondents indicated receiving tuition support through an employer, opportunities continue to exist to increase financial support for clinicians to advance their education beyond the clinical requirements of licensure. Graduates indicated that earning the degree supported educational development, contributed to new or advanced roles, and contributed to a tangible increase in annual salary.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N