The Program

The Associate Degree in Nursing is a combination of nursing and general education courses. In the nursing component, you’ll participate in formal classes, auto-tutorial laboratory practice, and clinical experience.

In addition to assigned preparation for class, the program requires maturity for self-pacing in the learning process. The nursing department recommends that students with outside responsibilities plan to complete the program in more than two years. In addition, effective interpersonal relationships with peers, patients, and other members of the health team are essential for success in the program.

Upon completion of the first nursing course, you will be qualified to work as a nurse’s aid in a variety of community settings. In addition to gaining valuable work experience, you will learn to manage your time and finances, and build your self-confidence. Upon demonstration of a commitment to nursing and successful completion of the program, you’ll be awarded the A.A.S. degree and will be eligible to apply for the State Board Examination to become a Registered Nurse.

All licensed Practical Nurses meeting Rock Valley College Nursing Department admission requirements may take the following proficiency exams: Fundamentals of Nursing, and Obstetrics and Pediatrics. Passing these exams is considered the equivalent of one year of nursing courses. Practical Nursing students may also qualify for our Bridge Program, which grants credit for previous nursing coursework.

Accreditation

Our two-year associate degree program is approved by the State of Illinois and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

Your Future in Nursing

This is a good time to enter the nursing profession as well-trained nurses are in high demand across the country due to shortages in the industry. Upon graduation from RVC, you’ll find an abundance of employment opportunities in hospitals, home healthcare, nursing homes, physician’s offices, industrial plants, and pharmaceutical companies. Specific positions include staff nursing, management, critical care nursing, flight nursing, and home nursing. RVC offers career counseling and job placement services to all graduates throughout their lifetime.

The Faculty

You will learn from experienced faculty, including registered nurses with master’s degrees in nursing.

Hands-On Learning

As a nursing student, you should expect to spend up to 20 hours each week beyond class time in the Audio-tutorial Laboratory (ATL), completing class assignments using computer and audio aids. Located in Building F on the main campus, the Audio-tutorial Lab is open five days a week: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon. An experienced registered nurse is available on a full-time basis to provide tutoring, assistance, and guidance. Students are advised to check with the lab instructor for updates.

In addition to honing your skills in the ATL, you’ll also gain clinical experience during the eighth week of your first nursing course and throughout the nursing curriculum. You may work in any of the following hospitals:

• Rockford Memorial Hospital
• OSF Saint Anthony Hospital
• Swedish American Hospital
• Singer Mental Health Center

In addition, you could be placed in selected community health agencies. In these settings, you’ll learn to care for mothers, babies, children, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens.

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants will be approved for admission to Rock Valley College according to Rock Valley College policies governing full-time students.
2. An applicant must be a graduate of a recognized or accredited secondary school at the time of enrollment or have completed the high school equivalency through the General Education Development (G.E.D.) test.
3. Admission to nursing is by one of two categories, high school graduate or college transfer student. Applicants are reviewed based on the following criteria:

High School Graduate Criteria

• ACT scores: a minimum of an 18 in mathematics and 20 on the composite. In addition, a class rank in the upper one-half of the graduating class.
• Two semesters of high school chemistry within the past five years with a grade of “C” or better for both semesters or complete Chemistry 100 or its equivalent at Rock Valley College with a grade of “C.”
• Personal Statement and Interview: Students with completed applications will be notified of the process for completing an interview and personal statement.

College Transfer Student Criteria

• Post Secondary Credit Hours: Applicants must have completed 12 or more post-secondary credits to be considered for transfer criteria.
• Cumulative GPA: Documentation of a cumulative GPA of at least “C” (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) from all colleges (post-secondary) attended. In addition, applicants must be in good academic standing at the time of review for admission.
• Prerequisite course GPA: Completion of eight hours of credit in two of the required prerequisite courses in Biology with a GPA of 2.40 or completion of one of the required Biology courses with a grade of “A” or “B” with current enrollment in the remaining requirement in Biology. Approved courses include: Biology 185 or Biology 281 and 282, and Biology 274. Applicants must have completed all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” to be considered for admission.
• Chemistry Requirement: Two semesters of high school chemistry within the past five years with a grade of “C” or better for both semesters or complete Chemistry 100 or its equivalent at Rock Valley College with a grade of “C.”
• Math Proficiency Requirement: Demonstrate math proficiency by passing a math exam or by completing Math 090 or a higher level Math Course approved by the nursing program with a grade of “C.”
• Personal Statement and Interview: Students with completed applications will be notified of the process for completing an interview and personal statement.
• CNA requirement: Current Certification as a Nursing Assistant.
• Applicants admitted to the nursing program are required to meet the following requirements in order to enroll in nursing courses:
  • Be in good health as certified by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, and complete in full the medical and immunization validation records.
  • Carry professional liability insurance (available at group rates to nursing students).
  • Earn a minimum grade of “C” in each clinical nursing course. Students receiving a grade below “C” in any required nursing course must repeat the entire course, both theory and clinical.
  • A student may repeat only one clinical nursing course.
  • Earn a minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses required for the nursing major. These courses include: Biology 185 or Biology 281 and 282, Biology 274, English 101, PPR 133 (Nutrition), Psychology 170, and Sociology 190.
  • Students seeking re-entry to the program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the nursing faculty. Evidence of remedial course work and validation of clinical practice will be taken into consideration.
  • Students admitted to the nursing program are expected to meet all progression criteria including academic and performance standards (technical standards) with or without reasonable accommodations. These standards are provided in the Rock Valley College Student Nurse Handbook.
• Final selection is based on the most qualified applicants. Qualified applicants who are residents of Community College District 511 or who reside in a district that has a cooperative agreement with 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.

Nursing Admissions Procedures

1. The following records must be directly mailed to the Nursing Programs Office, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61114:
   • ACT scores
   • High school transcripts or G.E.D. scores
   • College and/or nursing school transcripts
   • Proof of current certification as a Nursing Assistant
   • Copy of current L.P.N. license, if applicable.
2. A separate application for admission to the nursing program must be completed, hereafter referred to as the nursing application.
3. All materials required (see admission policy) for review of the application must be submitted for an application to meet the required application deadlines. Students requesting admission must submit application materials by February 15 for fall term and September 15 for spring term in order to receive priority consideration for admission. All applications will be stamped with the time and date of receipt by the Nursing Programs Office. Only completed applications are reviewed for admission.
4. Re-application: Applicants reviewed and not admitted to the program for one starting class are responsible for reactivating and updating their application file for subsequent starting classes by submitting a new nursing application form and letter of intent to be admitted the following term to the Director of Nursing.

Credit By Examination Policy (Nursing)

If you wish to receive credit by examination in nursing, you must meet the admissions requirements set for all students in nursing. Students will also abide by College procedures for credit by examination described in this catalog. The proficiency examination will be offered to students with previous nursing education. To earn credit for the nursing proficiency examination you must satisfactorily complete the next clinical nursing course in the Rock Valley College nursing curriculum.

Policy Regarding Nursing Courses

You must earn a minimum grade of 'C' in each clinical nursing course.

You must show satisfactory clinical performance as determined by instructors in order to continue in the nursing program.

Placement Policy (Nursing)

Transfer students will be individually evaluated and a placement examination may be given.