Practical Nursing #5404
Certificate – 36 credit hours
Limited transfer
Program contact: Nursing program office, (815) 921-3261
Program overview
Licensed practical nurses are integral health team members who provide expert care for challenging patients under the direction of the RN. This is a 10 1/2 month program that prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-PN examination to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Work and employment
Graduates of the program are qualified to work in healthcare facilities such as nursing homes, home healthcare, physicians’ offices, and ambulatory care.
Career advancement
Licensed Practical Nurses can use their education and experience toward an associate degree in nursing at RVC. The LPN Bridge for the Associate Degree Nursing program allows LPNs to complete the nursing program without repeating courses taken in the LPN program. For details, see “LPN Bridge.”
Program approval and vocational licensure
The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN according to the requirements for licensure in the Illinois Nursing and Advanced Nursing Practice Act.
Information sessions
Students interested in the nursing program should attend a nursing information session to familiarize themselves with specific admission procedures, requirements, and standards. Information about the Nursing program and applications may be obtained by calling (815) 921-3261.
Testing and transcripts
Applicants who have not attended college before will need to call (815) 921-2382 to schedule an appointment for an assessment test. Transfer applicants should submit all transcripts to the Rock Valley College Admissions and Records Office with indication of the intent to apply to the nursing program.
Admission to the program
The applicant pool is competitive; selection for admission is based upon above average grades in anatomy and physiology as well as in the cumulative GPA. There are specific requirements and prerequisites to be admitted to the Practical Nursing program.
Practical Nursing program application, admission policies and requirements
1. APPLICATION procedures
- A COMPLETE application includes an application to RVC, an application to the nursing program, completed transcript review, and a 1 page writing sample of educational, professional and career goals.
- Applications are due April 15 for fall semester admission.
2. Applicants will be considered for admission to Rock Valley College according to college policies governing full-time students.
Nursing program admission requirements are:
- Graduation from a recognized or accreditedsecondary school or completion of high school equivalency through the General Educational Development (GED) test
- Admission to Rock Valley College as a certificate seeking student
- Completion of an approved certified nursing assistant course with current certification as a nursing assistant.
3. Prerequisite course requirements are:
- MTH 095 - Elementary Algebra or higher math course approved by the nursing program with a grade of “C” or better; OR HS Algebra (2 semesters) within the past 5 years with a grade of “C” or better for each semester
- CHM 100 - Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry with at least a “C”; OR HS Chemistry (2 semesters) within the past 5 years with a grade of “C” or better for each semester
- BIO 185 Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology * with a grade of “B” or better (*completed within the last eight years)
4. Personal statement and interview: Students with completed applications will be notified of the process for completing an interview with a nursing program representative.
Practical Nursing program enrollment policies
1. Good health as certified by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner and completion of Rock Valley College physical exam and immunization records.
2. Essential abilities standard as outlined in the Practical Nursing Student Handbook.
3. A criminal background check will be required; a positive background check may result in the inability to complete the program.
4. Professional liability insurance (available at group rates to nursing students through the college).
5. Current CPR certification as a healthcare provider.
6. A minimum grade of “C” in all corequisite courses. These courses include:
PSY 170 - General Psychology (must be completed by the end of first semester).
FWS 237 - Nutrition for Optimum Living
* ENG 101 - Composition I (may be completed in the summer/fall semesters).
7. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in each nursing course. Students receiving a grade below “C” in any required nursing course must repeat the entire course, both theory and clinical.
8. Students admitted to the Nursing program are expected to meet all progression criteria including academic and performance standards (clinical standards) with or without reasonable accommodations. These standards are provided in the program’s Student Nurse Handbook.
9. Repetition of a course requires re-admission to the program and review by the faculty admission committee.
Practical Nursing Certificate Requirements: (36 credits)
Practical Nursing Core Requirements: (27 credits)
* PNU 103 Practical Nursing: Fundamentals (7)
* PNU 107 Basic Principles of Pharmacology for Nursing (1)
* PNU 120 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Mental Health (1)
* PNU 140 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Conception Through Adolescence (6)
* PNU 160 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Young Adult Through Middle Adult (6)
* PNU 201 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Geriatric (6)
General Education Course Requirements: (9 credits)
PSY 170 General Psychology (3)
FWS 237 Nutrition for Optimum Living (3)
* ENG 101 Composition I (3)
*Course has a prerequisite—refer to course descriptions.
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