Degree conferred: Associate in Applied Science - 69 credits
Limited transferability
Program contact: Nursing program office, (815) 921-3261

Program overview

The registered professional nurse provides nursing care that emphasizes the whole person using the nursing process for individuals, families and groups in the community. The program of study requires that students with outside responsibilities plan to complete the program in more than two years.

The associate degree in nursing is based upon current nursing practice, including nursing and general education courses. Classroom theory, challenging assignments, skill labs, and clinical experiences will prepare students for an entry-level RN position. The program requires maturity for self-pacing in the learning process. Upon successful completion of the program and demonstrated nursing competence, the graduate is eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed as a Registered Nurse.

The LPN Bridge Program is available for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to apply for an associate degree in nursing at Rock Valley College.  LPNs must meet the criteria for the LPN Bridge application review process for the Associate Degree nursing program. See the “Admission to the LPN Bridge for the Nursing program” section, which follows.

Work and career advancement

The registered nurse is prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, community health, and home healthcare. Graduates are accountable for maintaining clinical competence. They practice nursing within the scope and standards of registered nurse education and are lifelong professional learners. Graduates are encouraged to seek opportunities to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through an RN Completion Program.

Program approval and professional licensure

The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN according to the requirements for licensure in the State of Illinois Nursing Practice Act.  This exam covers four major categories:  safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity.  Testing in these areas is emphasized along with safe and progressing clinical competence.

Information sessions

Students interested in the nursing program should attend a nursing information session to familiarize themselves with specific admission procedures, requirements, and standards.  Call (815) 921-3261 to attend an information session; applications are available when the applicant has completed all admission requirements.

Applicants will need to call (815) 921-2380 to schedule an appointment for an assessment Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).  Transfer applicants should submit all transcripts to the Rock Valley College  Records Office with indication of the intent to apply to the nursing program.

Associate Degree Nursing program application and admission policies

Nursing program admission is competitive.  Selection for admission is based on above average grades in the biologic sciences as well as in the cumulative and prerequisite GPA.

1.    A COMPLETE application includes an application to RVC, an application to the nursing program, completed transcript review, and a 1-2 page writing sample of educational, professional and career goals.   Admission testing may be required.

2.    APPLICATION SUBMISSION DATES are
•    ADN/RN: Sept. 1 for Spring Admission; Feb. 1 for Fall Admission
•    Bridge: September 15  

3.    INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS will not be reviewed.

4.    Applicants will be considered for admission to Rock Valley College according to college policies governing full-time students including in-district residency proof.

5.    Admission to the nursing program is by:  high school graduate, college transfer, or LPN Bridge criteria.

HS GRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1.    Graduation from a recognized secondary school or completion of the GED.

2.    Admission to Rock Valley College as a degree seeking student

3.    BIO GPA  3.0 for (9 credits); prerequisite GPA 3.0 or better on a 2.0-4.0 scale

4.    Current  nursing assistant certification (IDPH Approved)

5.    HS Algebra (2 semesters) within the past five years with a grade of C or better for each semester, including an ACT score of a least 18 in mathematics, 20 in the composite, and a class rank in the upper one-half of the graduating class.

6.    HS Chemistry (2 semesters) within the past 5 years with at least a C or better.

7.    Completion of BIO 185 Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology or BIO 281/282 Human Anatomy & Physiology I, II and BIO 274 (within the past five years) with a BIO GPA of at least 3.0.

8.    PSY 170 General Psychology with a grade of C or better

9.    TEAS score 80% recommended

10.   Word processed writing sample and interview with a nursing program representative

11.   Co-Requisites:   FWS 237 Nutrition for Optimum Living  and ENG 101 Composition I

COLLEGE TRANSFER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1.    Transfer credit of 12 or more college credit hours with a grade of  C or better

2.    Admission to Rock Valley College as a degree seeking student

3.    BIO GPA 3.0 for (9 credits); prerequisite GPA 3.0 or better on a 2.0-4.0 scale; cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher.

4.    Current nursing assistant certification (IDPH Approved)

5.    MTH 094 – Intermediate Algebra II or higher math course with a grade of C or higher

6.    CHM 110 – General, Organic and Biochemistry I – with a grade of at least a C or better

7.    Completion of BIO 185 Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology or BIO 281/282 Human Anatomy & Physiology I, II  and  BIO 274 Microbiology (within the past five years) with a BIO GPA of at least 3.0

8.    PSY 170-General Psychology with a grade of C or higher

9.    TEAS Score 80% tile recommended.  Complete by application due date.

10.  Word processed writing sample and interview with a nursing program representative

11.  Co-Requisites:   FWS 237 Nutrition for Optimum Living  and ENG 101 Composition I

LPN BRIDGE PROGRAM POLICIES
The concept of the LPN/Bridge program is articulation between the knowledge and skills that a Licensed Practical Nurse has acquired and the scope of practice of the Registered Nurse. LPN’s who meet admission requirements and who successfully complete the LPN Bridge courses will receive nursing credits-in-escrow.  The student completes the second year nursing courses over the next two semesters. This program is directed toward LPN’s who are self starters with excellent learning skills and current clinical knowledge. 

LPN BRIDGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The LPN Bridge program is designed to prepare licensed practical nurses to enter the Associate Degree Nursing program at Rock Valley College. Students admitted to the LPN Bridge program are required to complete Nursing 210 and all prerequisite course requirements for the Associate Degree Nursing program. Students are reviewed for admission to the second year of the Associate Degree Nursing program after successful completion of the LPN Bridge requirements.

1.  SEE COLLEGE TRANSFER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

2. Applications for the LPN Bridge program are due September 15 for spring semester admission.

3. Transcripts with documentation of completion of a state-approved Practical Nursing program must be submitted to the nursing program office.

4.  Proof of current licensure as a practical nurse in the state of Illinois is part of the application.   

REQUIREMENTS LPN<5 YEARS

REQUIRED COURSES

• NRS 108 Altered Health Concepts (3 credits)
• NRS 207 Pharmacology for Nursing Care (2 credits)
• NRS 210 Transition to ADN Nursing (3 credits)
• PNU 107 Practical Nursing Pharmacology or equivalent (1 credit) 

    
REQUIREMENTS LPN > 5 YEARS
Licensed Practical Nursing applicants with licensure exceeding more than five years are eligible for one of two alternate placement options:

1.  PLACEMENT IN THE LPN BRIDGE:   PROFICIENCY TESTING

• Eligibility for this option requires LPN level scores on the ATI tests for Nursing Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Maternal Newborn, and Psychiatric Nursing Content.
• This testing option must be completed by September 1 for the LPN Bridge spring semester placement.   
  

2.  ADVANCE PLACEMENT IN THE ADN PROGRAM: PROFICIENCY TESTING FOR 2ND SEMESTER PLACEMENT

• The score on the ATI meets the nursing program established benchmark.
• Advanced placement in the second or third semesters of the Associate Degree Nursing program is based on space available in the required course sequence according to lottery as outlined in the Associate Degree Nursing Program Student Handbook.
  

BRIDGE ESCROW NURSING CREDITS POSTED
Bridge Nursing program students who have completed NRS 108, NRS 207 and NRS 210 with a minimum grade of C and who have met all prerequisite courses with a grade point average of 3.0 are awarded 17 credits in the following courses not to be posted until completion of NRS 232 or NRS 234 (third semester courses) with a minimum grade of C.

• NRS 105 Professional Nurse Role I (1 credit)
• NRS 110 Core Concepts I (2 credits)
• NRS 111 Core Concepts II (4 credits)
• NRS 214 Family HLT Nursing (2 credits)
• NRS 222 Family HLT Clinical (3 credits)
• NRS 217 Psychiatric Nursing (2 credits)
• NRS 224 Psychiatric Clinical (3 credits)         

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

1.    Complete RVC new, returning, or transfer student admission requirements according to the RVC Course Catalog procedures.

2.    A separate nursing program application must be completed hereafter referred to as the nursing application.

3.    The nursing application is dated upon receipt by the Nursing Division Office and must be received by the required application deadlines.  Only completed applications and letters of intent received during regular business hours by the due date are reviewed.

4.    Re-application:  Applicants not admitted to the program may submit a new application for each admission review and see an advisor to discuss admission deficiencies.

5.    Students seeking readmission will be evaluated by the admission committee within the current application schedule according to available space and additional academic remediation and current clinical practice.  

ENROLLMENT POLICIES
1.    Qualified applicants who are residents of Community College District 511 or who reside in a district that has a cooperative agreement with the Rock Valley College will be admitted first. Out-of-district applicants will be admitted only if the nursing class has not been filled and all qualified in-district applicants have been accepted.

2.   Admitted students are required to maintain the following:

• Admission physical exam & current immunizations
• Essential abilities as provided in the Student Nurse Handbook:  RVC.
• Background check—a finding may result in inability to complete the program
• Proof of professional liability, accident/and health insurance
• Current CPR for the health care provider
• Current nursing assistant certification (IDPH) or LPN for the Bridge
  

3.   A minimum of a C grade must be achieved in each course.

4.    A student may repeat only one nursing course (theory or clinical) as provided in the Student Nurse Handbook:   RVC.  

5.    Progression criteria must be met according to the policies and procedures provided in the RVC Student Nurse Handbook:   RVC and course syllabi.

Associate Degree Nursing                                              (69 credits Total)

Required NRS Program Courses                                      (45 credits Total)

NRS     105    Professional Nurse Role I                    (1)
NRS     108    Pathophysiology - Altered Health Concepts            (3)
NRS     110    Core Concepts I - Professional Nursing            (2)
NRS     111    Core Concepts II - Professional Nursing            (4)
NRS     207    Pharmacology for Nursing Care                (2)
NRS     212    Adult Health Nursing II                    (2)
NRS     213    Adult Health Nursing I                    (2)
NRS     214    Family and Reproductive Health Nursing            (2)
NRS     215    Child and Family Health Nursing                (2)
NRS     217    Psychiatric Nursing                    (2)
NRS     218    Adult Health Nursing III                    (2)
NRS     222    Family and Reproductive Health Clinical            (3)
NRS     224    Psychiatric Nursing Clinical                (3)
NRS     225     Professional Nurse Role II                    (2)
NRS     232    Child and Family Health Clinical                (3)
NRS     234    Adult Health Clinical I                    (3)
NRS     242     Adult Health Clinical II                    (3)
NRS     244     Adult Health Clinical III                    (3)
PNU    107    Basic Principles of Pharmacology for Nursing        (1)

General Education Course Requirements:           (18 credits)         
BIO     185    Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology            (5)
BIO     274    Microbiology                        (4)
PSY    170    General Psychology                    (3)
FWS    237    Nutrition for Optimum Living                (3)
ENG    101    Composition I                        (3)

General Education Elective Requirements:                        (6 credits)

Students may choose any approved IAI General Education Core Curriculum course

Recommended courses include PSY 270 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3), SOC 190 - Introduction to Sociology (3) and MTH 220, Elements of Statistics (3).

Note: NRS 210 - Transition to Associate Degree Nursing (3 credits) is a required course for LPNs who are admitted to and are completing the LPN Bridge for the Associate Degree Nursing program.