Welcome to N.A.R.T. - Frequently Asked Questions

NART

The National Association for Public Education in Respiratory Therapy

ALL ABOUT NART

What is N.A.R.T.?
N.A.R.T. is the National Association for Public Education in Respiratory Therapy, a 5OI (c) (3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of New York.

What are the goals of N.A.R.T.?
N.A.R.T.’s principal goal is to educate the lay public about the profession of Respiratory Therapy in terms of its positive effects on health care, its manpower needs and, most importantly, the excellent opportunities the profession presents to people considering a career in medicine or embarking on a second career. It is felt that these educational endeavors will, as one of its end results, present meaningful career opportunities to people while simultaneously strengthening and helping keep viable, the profession of Respiratory Therapy in the United States. Neither N.A.R.T. nor any of its board members, have any political functions, nor is N.A.R.T. or any of its board members official spokespersons for the profession of respiratory therapy.

Why was N.A.R.T. created?
It is felt by many that the profession of Respiratory Therapy suffers somewhat from a lack of exposure and an overall lack of consciousness amongst too high a percentage of the lay public in the United States. While most people have at least a basic, general idea of what, for instance, a nurse, pharmacist, or a radiologic technologist does in the course of their duties, most have no idea of the duties and contributions respiratory therapists make every hour of every day in numerous settings across America. In addition, a serious situation exists whereby thousands of jobs in Respiratory Therapy remain vacant on an ongoing basis while many schools of respiratory therapy are either closing or are in constant danger of closing, due to lack of students. In 2000, at the AARC summer forum, it was reported that less than 5000 high school seniors in the United States had ever even heard of the Respiratory Therapy profession. This, while projections forecast that respiratory therapists will be in great demand in future decades and that secure, well compensated employment will be available. N.A.R.T. feels that everything possible must be done to reverse this situation and that the education of the lay-public as to what the profession is, and has to offer, is crucially important. It is felt that this education will help encourage more people to consider entering the field of respiratory therapy, which should as an additional benefit, help health care institutions fill their vacant positions and help schools keep high-standard programs of respiratory therapy operating.

Why doesn’t N.A.R.T. call itself the National Association for Respiratory Care?
N.A.R.T. feels that the public will more readily relate to, understand and assimilate the fact that a person working in the Respiratory Care profession is actually a therapist as opposed to being a “carist” or a “practitioner” which might be considered vague and/or nondescriptive. This alone can go a long way towards the goals of raising the consciousness amongst the lay public as to what the profession is and does. Amongst medical colleagues such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, for example, there will probably also be a better understanding as to what a fellow “therapist” does. It is also recognized that although the profession is called “Respiratory Care” most everyone in the hospital, including physicians, nurses and even the patients themselves, refer to their respiratory care practitioner as their “therapist”.

Is N.A.R.T. a new national organization for Respiratory Therapists?
N.A.R.T. is not a representative organization providing member benefits in return for dues. N.A.R.T is especially not meant to be a substitute, replacement or alternative to the work and representation being conducted on behalf of respiratory therapists nationwide by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

How does N.A.R.T. accomplish its goals?
N.A.R.T. accomplishes its goals via such activities as mailings, display advertising, presentations at school health and career fairs, booth presentations at conventions and other appropriate vehicles.

How does a program or organization apply for funding consideration?
Interested parties are encouraged to contact the N.A.R.T. office directly in writing to obtain a list of the criteria for funding consideration. Activities that pertain to the education of the lay public about the profession of respiratory therapy, particularly the opportunities that the profession provides to those considering careers in health care will be given priority over other programs being considered for funding.

Can I support N.A.R.T. and the A.A.R.C.?
Yes. In fact, N.A.R.T. strongly encourages its contributors, as well as all professionals who earn all or part of their living via Respiratory Therapy, to join and maintain membership in the A.A.R.C. as well as in N.A.R.T. if at all possible.

When did N.A.R.T. form?
N.A.R.T.’s articles of incorporation were originally filed in the state of Illinois in April 2003. N.A.R.T. articles of incorporation were transferred to the state of New York in 2009.

Who is running N.A.R.T. and what compensation are they receiving?
N.A.R.T. is being run by two officers. These are

Robert Miglino RRT, BSRT, MPS – Chairman
Teresa Bellanca - Treasurer and Secretary

Both of these officers are serving voluntarily and are receiving absolutely no compensation for their work or services on behalf of N.A.R.T.

What levels of contribution are available in N.A.R.T.?
There are two levels of contribution in N.A.R.T. - individual contributors and corporate contributors. Individual contributors are recognized as those persons donating at least $10 annually. For corporations, recognition is at several levels of support: Bronze Contributor ($50), Silver Contributor ($100) and Gold Contributor ($250). All cash contributions are fully tax-deductible.

What kind of projects can I expect my contributions to be used for?
All funds received by NART shall be used, after administrative expenses, for the purpose of educating the public about the profession of respiratory therapy so as to make the public knowledgeable about the positive effects the profession has on health care delivery, the profession's manpower needs and the opportunities the profession presents to people considering a career in medicine.

Are my contributions to N.A.R.T. tax-deductible?
All contributions are fully tax deductible.

Will I receive anything in return for my contributions?
All funds, after administrative expenses are subtracted, will be used to further the goals of NART rather than in furnishing benefits to its contributors. Contributors will receive an annual report as to the activities of N.A.R.T., its financial status and its continued goals and accomplishments for that given year.

Does N.A.R.T. have a web-site?
Yes, it is located at http://www.na-rt.org.

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