Nursing
Program Type
Associate in Applied Science
View Courses in the Catalog
Paying for Your Program
Contact
- Health Sciences Division
- (815) 921-3261
- RVC-Admissions@rockvalleycollege.edu
- Main Campus - Health Sciences Center
About the Program
A nursing career is dynamic and exciting. No two days on the frontline of healthcare are the same. At Rock Valley College, our nursing program faculty are responding to the ever changing needs in healthcare by offering top quality nursing education from highly experienced instructors who care. With attention to developing proficient hands-on skills, critical thinking to anticipate client needs, and outstanding communication with clients, families and other members of the healthcare team, the RVC nursing program teaches students to protect the cultural dignity of the client within legal and ethical frameworks. The excellent education provided is evident by our exceptional NCLEX pass rates remaining higher than national and state averages.
How to Apply
- NAD 101 Nursing Aide – Active Nurse Aide Certificate (CNA) with no disqualifying convictions (background check).
- Overall 2.50 GPA (or higher) in the following courses:
- BIO 100 or 103 Introductory Biology (3 credits)
- BIO 185* Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology (5 credits) – OR – BIO 281* & 282* Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (8 credit total)
- BIO 274* Microbiology (4 credits)
- PSY 170 General Psychology (3 credits)
- ENG 101 Composition I (3 credits)
- *If an “A” or a “B” was earned on the only attempt of Anatomy/Physiology or Microbiology, there is no expiration of these courses.
- NRS 104 Pathophysiology: Altered Health Concepts (3 credits); course must be within two years with a grade of "C" (80%) or better.
- ATI TEAS (Scheduled through the RVC Testing Center)
- ATI TEAS Test Version Seven (3 ½ hours)
- Overall Score: must be “Proficient Level” or higher
- If any of the sub-scores are at a “Developmental” level, a student will be disqualified from consideration and will need to re-take the TEAS.
- Electives – Any two of the following courses (6-7 credits total):
- CHM 110 General, Organic, and Biochemistry (4 credits)
- FWS 237 Nutrition for Optimum Living (3 credits)
- MTH 220 Elements of Statistics (3 credits)
- PSY 270 Lifespan Development Psychology (3 credits)
- SOC 190 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
- SPH 131 Fundamentals of Communication (3 credits)
All prospective nursing students are highly encouraged to watch the Registered Nursing Program video to learn more about RVC's options and pathways. The video focuses on nursing as a career and on admission requirements and is narrated by the Nursing Program Director together with an Academic Advisor.
Once you have reviewed the admission requirements and nursing information session, you may complete the Nursing Program Application (PDF) to apply.
What can I do with this degree?
Potential Careers & Wages
Program Pathways
Students should meet with an Academic Advisor to develop a clear pathway leading to a seamless transfer experience or transition to the workforce. For additional possibilities that may require an advanced degree or certification, make an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
Nursing at RVC
Check out this short video to learn more about the Nursing program at RVC!
Rock Valley College’s (RVC) Associate Degree Registered Nursing (RN) Program has been approved by the Illinois State Board of Nursing since 1967, and has remained in good standing.
October 2020: The associate nursing program at Rock Valley College located in Rockford, IL is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Initial Accreditation. Rock Valley College’s RN Program will be up for re-accreditation in 2025.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org
The Rock Valley College Nursing Program wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in Room 1214 of the Health Sciences Center (HSC) located at the RVC Main Campus (3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61114).
Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at PublicComments@acenursing.org or to the ACEN office:
Attn: Accreditation Services
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta GA, 30326
All written comments should be received by the ACEN by Feb. 11, 2025.
All students who successfully complete the RVC Nursing program earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN to earn the Registered Nurse (RN) credential. All our graduates are employable at all three local hospitals in Rockford, as well as other healthcare agencies. Once hired, these hospital employers are expecting nurses to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree. To help facilitate an easy transition into an RN-BSN Completion Program, RVC Nursing has developed partnerships with five RN-BSN Completion Programs.
The nursing program is responsible for providing our community with quality nurses who care for their clients safely. In order to become a quality, safe practicing nurse, students will be required to attend all classes and all clinicals. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to clinical sites.
All nursing courses require a "C", which is 80% to pass. Students who do not earn a "C" (80%) or better in any given nursing course will remediate by course repetition. Course repetition is only allowed once.
All supporting courses/electives required for the degree must also be completed with a "C" or higher in order to receive the A.A.S. degree in nursing.
The Nursing Student Handbook that includes the nursing program policies is available by contacting Ellen M Njølstad-Øksnevad, MS, RN, Director of Nursing at (815) 921-3273 or E.NjolstadOksnevad@rockvalleycollege.edu.
Clinical facilities must comply with their regulatory requirements and best practices. The nursing program provides clinical education at various clinical agencies. The nursing program must adhere to these facilities' requirements. At any given moment, clinical agencies may modify the health requirements, notifying educational institutions of changes, which students must comply with. All admitted students will be required to provide the following at the expense of the student. Blood work can be done at your doctor's office, Health Department, or AnyTime Lab (815) 397-8370.
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Physical exam (with no restrictions, within 90 days of program start)
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Immunizations:
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Lab titers to show immunity to:
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Rubella
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Rubeola
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Mumps
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Hepatitis B
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Varicella
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Vaccination Record for:
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Tdap (within 10 years)
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Current Influenza vaccination
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Current COVID vaccination
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TB (Tuberculous)
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Proof of current Health Insurance
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Current BLS-CPR for the healthcare provider (AHA, ARC)
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10-panel Drug Testing, including marijuana
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GSA/IOG Background Check
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(NOTE: Clinical facilities reserve the right to change requirements at any given time.)
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Upon successful completion of the nursing program, students will sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to earn the credentials of RN (Registered Nurse). This process has additional fees. Approximately $450.
- Fingerprinting Fee
- Application Fee for NCLEX-RN testing
- NCLEX-RN Exam Fee
- RN Licensure Fee
On completion of the Associate Degree, nursing component of the Rock Valley College Nursing Program the graduate shall practice in accordance with the State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act and shall:
- Apply clinical and theoretical knowledge and skills to providing care.
- Use effective communication with clients, families, and the healthcare team.
- Incorporate cultural variances to provide client-centered care.
- Apply ethical and legal knowledge and skills to providing patient care.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: The Expected Level of Achievement (ELA) for NCLEX-RN pass rate is to be at 80% or greater for all first-time test-takers. The ELA for NCLEX-RN ultimate pass rate, to include repeaters, is to be at 90% or greater.
| Year | National Pass Rate | IL Pass Rate | RVC Pass Rate | Ultimate Pass Rate (including repeaters) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82% | 82% | 83% | 100% |
| 2022 | 80% | 77% | 86% | 97% |
| 2023 | 89% | 85% | 100% | 100% |
| 2024 | TBD | TBD | 96% | 100% |
Nursing Program Completion Rate:
- On-Time Completion: 75% of all students who remain in the program after the EVR date in NRS 106, NRS 107, and NRS 110 will complete the program on-time in four semesters.
- Ultimate Completion: 80% of all students who remain in the program after the EVR date in NRS 106, NRS 107, and NRS 110 will ultimately complete the program in five semesters.
| Year Started Program | On-Time Completion | Ultimate Completion |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 81% | 85% |
| 2021 | 69% | 88% |
| 2022 | 70% | 85% |
| 2023 | TBA | TBA |
Graduate Job Placement: 90% of graduates will report employment as a Registered Nurse within 12 months of graduation. Of those who responded to the survey:
| Year Graduated | Job Placement |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | TBA |
You are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to ensure a seamless pathway from prerequisite courses through the nursing program and into a BSN completion program.
The Nursing Academic Advisor is Amanda Lonsway and she is located in the Health Sciences Center.
For more information, please contact Amanda Lonsway at a.lonsway@rockvalleycollege.edu