Nursing Education

What does a Registered Nurse do?

Southwestern Illinois College's Nursing Education program prepares students with the basic skills necessary to become a registered nurse (RN). RNs provide for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of their patients. Nurses must have good knowledge of the principles and practices of nursing, interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, ability to relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds, organize, set priorities and manage a caseload.

Nursing encompasses a variety of specialties: case manager, emergency/trauma, home health/hospice, infection control/employee health, labor & delivery, medical/surgical, neonatal, pediatric, psychiatric, telemetry, transplant, etc. The job duties vary based on the working environment and the role of the nurse in that setting. Contact the SWIC Career Activities and Employment Center for possible job shadowing or mentoring opportunities in nursing. For further information regarding the field of nursing, refer to the National League for Nursing Web site or the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Handbook. 

In accordance with the Illinois Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, 2008, the purpose of the Nursing Education Curriculum at Southwestern Illinois College is to prepare students to:

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What are the job opportunities for Registered Nurses?

A graduate of the Nursing Education program is prepared to work as a registered nurse following successful NCLEX exam - in general entry level positions under the direction of a more experienced RN. Entry level nursing positions may be found in hospitals, public/community health settings, ambulatory care settings and nursing homes/extended care facilities.

Graduates who successfully pass NCLEX may also opt to continue their education at institutions which offer RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs.

SWIC nursing graduate survey results (averaged over a three-year period); indicate 100 percent of the nursing graduates are employed within six months after completing the program.

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What is the average/starting salary?

The average full-time starting salary for a registered nurse is $25.98/hour or $54,000/year.

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Where and when is the Nursing Education program offered?

Nursing Education courses are offered at the Belleville Campus with clinical experience at hospitals/clinical facilities throughout the district and in the St. Louis region. The required general education courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses.  Students begin clinical experience in the fall semester of the first year and every semester throughout the remainder of the program.

The Nursing Education program begins every summer semester with NE classes scheduled during the day. The program can be completed in two years.  

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What are the admission requirements for this program?

To apply for admission to the Nursing Education program, applicants must submit the following:

• Nursing Education application 

Official Transcripts/Proof of completion of pre-requisite courses.
The following pre-requisite courses must have been completed by the end of fall 2009 semester and within 10 years preceding Feb. 1, with no grade lower than a "C." College course grades supersede high school grades when both appear on official transcripts. The most recent grade in courses meeting these requirements is used in determining an applicant's admission qualifications and rank.

• Biology 
• Algebra 
• Chemistry 
• Medical Terminology 
• Official High School Transcripts/GED
• Official transcripts from all colleges, universities or accredited schools of Nursing Education attended.
  • Students who have completed college level coursework must have a SWIC cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater to be considered for admission. Applicants may earn additional points on their application by earning a final grade of at least a "B" for general education courses that are required for the NE degree.
• Nursing Entrance Exam 
• Compass Test Results
  The Compass test identifies skill levels in math, reading and writing. Students must score high enough to be eligible to enroll in ENG 101 and MATH 94. If results are too low, students must complete required developmental courses prior to enrolling in ENG 101, BIOL 157/158 or MATH 94.

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What if I am already and LPN or a CNA, are there any advanced standing opportunities?

LPN Articulation Application Process
An articulation process exists for Illinois licensed LPNs. The articulation program will escrow up to 15 credits, which will include the three credits for NE 100-Clinical Calculations. Admission criteria will remain as listed for the generic RN program. LPNs must complete the prerequisite courses and first year general education courses prior to admission into the articulation program, unless waivers have been secured from the NE director. Escrowed credits will be awarded pending successful completion of the first NE courses attempted in the summer. If not successfully completed, on the first attempt, no articulation provisions will apply and the generic nursing program must be completed. Any LPN may opt not to enter the articulation program - to but enter the generic RN program. LPNs should see the Nursing director concerning other stipulations before beginning the articulation process and submitting an application - the "Advanced Standing Nursing Application for LPNs Only." To review the criteria on that application see the Advanced Standing for current LPNs Only Nursing Education Application Planning Guide.

Nurse Assistant Articulation Application Process
An articulation process exists for certified Illinois nurse assistants. The articulation process will escrow two NE credits for Illinois certified nurse assistants. Admission criteria, prerequisite courses and general education courses will remain as listed for the generic RN program. NE 100 must be completed successfully in the summer before entry into fall classes. The two credits will be awarded for NE 102 pending successful completion of NE 103 on the first attempt. If NE 103 is not completed successfully, no articulation provisions will apply. Any certified nurse assistant may opt not to enter the articulation program - but to enter the generic RN program. CNAs should see the Nursing director concerning other stipulations.

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How many students do you accept and how is selection determined?

The NE program generally accepts 80-90 students each summer semester. Selection of qualified applicants for the Nursing Education will be based upon a numerical ranking procedure, using admission test scores, high school and/or college grades and percentage of completed general education courses that are required for graduation. See NE Application Planning Guide. Information on the numerical ranking procedure and the admission process is available from the SWIC Enrollment Services office.

To arrange a meeting with a counselor or obtain more information about entrance requirements for the Nursing Education program, call or visit the Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., 618-235-2700, ext. 5206; the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, 4950 Maryville Road, 618-931-0600, ext. 6633; or the Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St., 618-282-6682, ext 8114.

Applicants will be notified of their status regarding admission as quickly as possible, typically in April depending on the number of applications received. In the event that there are fewer qualified candidates than there are spaces available, applications will continue to be accepted until the program's maximum capacity has been reached or through the first week of classes during the fall semester. Contact the Enrollment Services office at 618-235-2700, ext. 5541 or 5542 or the Counseling Center at 618-235-2700, ext. 5206 for information about possible application deadline extensions. The college reserves the right to fill the program when there are fewer applicants than spaces available by whatever means it deems necessary to assure both academic integrity and fairness in the selection process.

In the event that there are more qualified applicants than spaces available in this program, applicants residing outside the SWIC district or in a district that does not have a joint agreement with SWIC for this program, will not be eligible for consideration or admission. Resident status is determined by address on file with the Enrollment Services office by Feb. 15.

The admission procedures for the Nursing Education program are in accordance with Illinois law. The law requires that programs with insufficient space and resources to accommodate all applicants will accept the best qualified applicants, using rank, ability and achievement test scores as guides, with preference given to students residing in the district.

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How do I improve my chances of getting accepted?

Applicants are rated by a point system. To find out what you can do to accumulate points see the Nursing Education Application Guide or the Advanced Standing for current LPNs Only Application Planning Guide.

For an individual consultation about your application, contact Allied Health Coordinator's Assistant Candice Rodgers at 618-235-2700, ext. 5355 if needed.

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What classes do I take to complete the Nursing Education program?

Acceptance to the program is required before an applicant will be permitted to register for nursing courses. Nursing courses are only offered during the day.

Associate in Applied Science (0025)

This is a 70 credit hour, two-year accredited degree program, which can be completed in four semesters and one summer. The SWIC NE program combines the basic sciences, general education and professional courses with clinical education performed at affiliate hospitals to prepare graduates for entry-level nursing practice. There are 31 credit hours of general education courses and 39 hours of NE courses. General education courses can be completed prior to admission; otherwise all courses must be completed during the semesters indicated. Nursing courses begin the summer semester following admission for the generic and Advanced Standing students.

Clinical experiences are completed off campus in various practice settings. Students may be required to travel outside of the college district for clinical experiences and are required to have background checks and drug testing prior to beginning clinicals. Clinical experience begins in the fall semester of the first year, except for the LPN bridge program in which clinical experience starts in the summer semester.

Applicants selected for admission take NE 100-Clinical Calculations in the summer following admission to the Nursing Education program. This course must be successfully completed before fall classes begin. Students may be allowed to take an NE 100 proficiency test after acceptance into the NE program and waive the NE 100 course. Information concerning this course, as well as the proficiency test, will be presented at the orientation session held for entering students.

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Is the Nursing Education program accredited?

The Southwestern Illinois College Nursing Education program is a member of the National League for Nursing Council of Associate Degree Nursing Programs and is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, located at 100 Randolph, Suite 9-300, Chicago, IL 60601, 312-814-4500; and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, located at 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000. 

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What kind of time commitment is required to complete the program?

Nursing Education courses are offered during the day and clinical hours are scheduled in the day, evenings and/or weekends. The program can be completed in five semesters; including one summer. It is recommended that if employed, take non-NE required courses prior to entrance into the program.

Student schedules are determined by courses and clinical site placement. Students within the same course may have different schedules due to clinical placement. To complete the program, students must be willing to adapt their schedules as needed.

Students are responsible for their own transportation and attendance to all classes and clinicals assigned by the program. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed, although the program attempts to take into account students' residency in attempt to reduce excessive travel.

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Are there any other requirements I should be aware of while completing this program?

1. Applicants accepted to this program must attend all required orientation sessions (held typically in April and July), meet program specific medical requirements and be able to perform the essential functions of the job as listed in the Student Course handbook, with reasonable accommodation if needed. Applicants and enrolled students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Special Services at 618-235-2700, ext. 5368, to discuss potential issues associated with meeting these requirements.
2. Clinical facilities require health insurance during clinical education courses. Students are responsible for any costs incurred for injuries occurring during clinical experience.
3. Applicants admitted to the program must follow the requirements for graduation at the time they are admitted and must meet all course, program, degree and sequencing requirements as specified. Posted changes in course prerequisites are applicable to all newly admitted students. Second year students will continue to work from prerequisites listed when admitted. Students are responsible for program policies as listed in each year's Nursing student handbook. Students who fail to meet program specific requirements will be dropped from the program and may be required to re-apply and compete for admission in a succeeding year.
4. The Nursing Education program must be completed within five years of beginning nursing courses for first time and five semesters for LPN articulation students. Students must repeat the failed course the following year, ie. students cannot "sit out" the following year.

5. An average grade of "C" in theory tests and a grade of "C" on the final exam and a satisfactory in lab/clinical evaluation are the minimum requirements for passing nursing courses. Any standardized testing required for the course must be completed. A grade of "C" is the minimum grade acceptable for ALL courses in the nursing curriculum.

6. NE students will be required to possess current CPR certification at the health care provider level; show proof of immunizations, TB test and physical examination; and verify health insurance coverage before beginning any clinical experience.

7. A criminal background check, random drug test, and name search on government registries (that prohibit employment for health care professionals) also are required prior to clinical experience courses.

   Students with positive results on the drug test or a listing in prohibitory government registry will be dismissed from the program. Dismissal for positive criminal background check, drug test or listing on a government registry does not qualify students for refund of tuition or lab fees. Students who have concerns regarding their status with the above regulations are encouraged to discuss the matter with the program coordinator or coordinator's assistant prior to seeking admission.

8. Students enrolling in Nursing Education should be aware that fingerprint criminal background checks will be required within 60 days of NCLEX applications and receipts for the check must be attached to the NCLEX applications. Convictions of certain crimes may preclude ability to obtain RN licensure in Illinois. Information will be provided concerning this stipulation. For information contact the Nursing Education coordinator at ext. 5268.

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How much will it cost to complete this program?

The estimated cost of the NE program for the 2009-2010 academic year is $10,785. The total costs incurred are inclusive of health examination fees, certificate examination testing and necessary supplies and equipment, such as uniforms, name pins, etc. For more details see the program cost sheet.

Financial aid is available subject to financial need and satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the college. The SWIC Foundation office offers many scholarships and there is a student work program for which financial aid eligibility is not required.

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After I complete the program, are there any other requirements before I can work?

After successful completion of the Nursing Education program, students apply for the NCLEX-RN exam. Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination, graduates apply for licensure as a registered professional nurse.

After written documentation confirming successful completion of NCLEX-RN has been received by the graduate, the graduate can be employed in a license-pending category and work under the supervision of an RN until the Illinois license has been received. Graduates seeking licensure in a state other than Illinois, are required to follow the regulations of that state.

Averaged over three years, 95 percent of SWIC Nursing Education graduates passed the NCLEX-RN examination on the first attempt.

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