Incentives available for new respiratory therapists in South Dakota

There is currently a shortage of respiratory therapists in the nation, including in South Dakota. The profession is projected to grow 14% from 2021, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

To combat this shortage, each year, South Dakota State University and the health systems in South Dakota offer a variety of incentives for new and in-training respiratory therapists. 

Below is a list of the incentives provided through Avera Health, Monument Health, Sanford Health, Brookings Health System, Huron Regional Medical Center, Madison Regional Health System, and SDSU and the BREATHE-SD (Bringing Resources, Education, Awareness, Training, Holistic care and Empowerment to South Dakota) program. 

Avera Health 

Avera Health, with locations across South Dakota, offers scholarships, sign-on bonuses and a student loan repayment program for respiratory therapy students and new hires. 

Students who commit to work with Avera for three years will receive a $15,000 scholarship and a $15,000 sign-on bonus when hired. Additionally, Avera is offering up to $10,000 through its Student Loan Repayment Program. 

“Avera recognizes the importance of having respiratory therapists across their entire footprint,” said Jessie Schoolmeester, manager of respiratory therapy for Avera. “Respiratory Therapists are a crucial part of the healthcare team. Our hope is assisting with financial needs associated with schooling and/or relocating will lessen the burden of those that want to be part of our growing team.” 

Monument Health 

Monument Health, with locations in the Rapid City area, is offering two incentives. 

The first is up to $40,000 in scholarships for those pursuing a degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. Recipients of these scholarships must commit to three years working in a Monument Health identified department. 

The second incentive offered by Monument Health is up to $25,000 in sign-on bonuses for respiratory therapists. 

“Monument Health works closely with educational institutions to understand the pipeline of new Respiratory Therapists entering the workforce, “said Angie Haugen, director of respiratory services at Monument Health. “Our incentive programs, including scholarships and sign-on bonuses, play a crucial role in addressing the need for respiratory therapists in South Dakota.” 

Sanford Health 

Sanford Health, with locations across South Dakota, is offering unique sponsorship programs eligible to students pursuing a degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited institution. 

Sanford offers two options. The first is a $40,000 sponsorship for students who commit to working full time with Sanford for three years, and the second is a $20,000 sponsorship for students who commit to working with Sanford part time for three years. 

Kristi Specht, director or respiratory services at Sanford, emphasized the importance of Sanford’s incentives programs. “The increased national shortage of respiratory therapists is a serious challenge for all of us. Sanford recognizes the need for sponsorships to help students.” 

Specht added, “A sponsorship allows students to put the money where the need is rather than a scholarship which requires students to put money specifically toward tuition. This allows students to focus their efforts on their education and clinical experience which will help them accomplish their dreams.” 

SDSU and BREATHE-SD 

SDSU also has its own scholarship opportunity available to students, made possible through the BREATHE-SD project. 

Through the BREATHE-SD respiratory care scholarship program, students who are interested in working in rural areas and who are pursuing an associate degree in respiratory care can receive scholarships that cover half the cost of tuition. 

BREATHE-SD is a grant-funded project made possible through a partnership with the North Plains Health Network, a network of three rural hospitals Brookings Health System, Huron Regional Medical Center and Madison Regional Health System. Through the BREATHE-SD program, respiratory care students can also now complete training at these three rural sites. 

Brookings Health System 

In addition to partnership with SDSU on BREATHE-SD, Brookings Health System offers a sponsorship program for students committing to a professional career, including respiratory therapists. The sponsorship is a loan forgiveness program that forgives the sponsorship over a three-year period. To learn more, visit the program webpage. 

Nikki Winseman, director of imaging and respiratory services for Brookings Health System, said that the partnership with SDSU’s BREATHE grant “has sparked an influx of interest for students wanting to work here once they observe what our department has to offer.” 

Huron Regional Medical Center 

Huron Regional Medical Center, located in Huron, offers a variety of scholarship and sponsorship opportunities uniquely fitted to each new employee. 

First are commitment scholarships and interest scholarships. Commitment scholarships usually cover at least 50% of tuition and require the recipient to work at our facility one year beyond the number of years sponsored. Interest scholarships are given to individuals who want to explore health care but do not require a commitment. 

Huron Regional Medical Center also offers Nationally Registered Apprenticeship Programs, which enable on-the-job training while students are earning their credentials. An apprenticeship certificate is also available through this option. 

Brooke Sydow, program manager, added that at Huron Regional Medical Center, “respiratory therapists get firsthand experience across the discipline of respiratory care in a rural hospital and are not limited to one specific task in respiratory therapy. For example, a respiratory therapist will be called to a trauma call, float to obstetrics, intensive care unit, emergency room and med surg, and perform tasks such as ventilation, pulmonary function tests, sleep studies and much more.” 

Madison Regional Health System 

Madison Regional Health System, located in Madison, offers sign-on bonuses and tuition assistance to those who qualify. By joining the Madison Regional Health System team, respiratory therapists gain access to the Rural Assistance Program and certification opportunities and can also practice at a BREATHE-SD site. 

Mary Hart, respiratory therapy supervisor at Madison Regional Health System, said she is excited for Madison to be a BREATHE-SD site. “I’m so happy to have students here in Madison. We look forward to having more respiratory therapists taking care of patients here and all across South Dakota.”