Program Overview
Nursing
Biological and Health Sciences Division, Room B213, (847) 543-2042
https://www.clcillinois.edu/programs/biodv/nursing
Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Plan 21NC
This is a limited-enrollment program. Students are required to meet the screening requirements in effect at the time of screening. Students who screen and are accepted into a limited enrollment program will be required to complete the curriculum that is in place at the time of entrance into the program. If students who screen are not granted admission, they must rescreen and satisfy all screening and curriculum requirements in place for a future program start.
NOTE: Nursing faculty may make changes to program policies which must also be followed.
To complete an A.A.S., students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Success Advisor to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements.
Screening Deadline: Fourth Wednesday in February and the Fourth Wednesday in September
The Associate Degree Program in Nursing prepares individuals to practice as registered nurses in entry level positions across health care settings. The program provides a balanced curriculum of general education and nursing courses. Clinical experience is provided at local hospitals and health care agencies.
The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3390 Peachtree Rd., NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.com. It is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 320 West Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62786, www.IDFPR.com. After the completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nursing and, if completed successfully, may apply to any state in the U.S. for licensure as a registered nurse.
Registered nurses must be licensed by the individual State Board of Nursing. To become licensed, applicants must graduate from an approved nursing education program, pass the NCLEX examination for registered nursing, pay the required fees and satisfy requirements of a Federal criminal history record check.
The number of students admitted into the nursing program is limited for both the fall and spring semester; therefore, a screening procedure is used to select the academically most qualified candidates among those who request consideration. Preference will be given to residents of Community College District 532. Students who live outside CLC's district but are eligible for in-district tuition because they are employed by a district employer are NOT considered residents of the district for purposes of selection into the program.
Students who are selected for the program are required to undergo a background check and a urine drug screen. The results of the background check and drug screen may result in the student losing their seat in the program.
To be considered for admission to the Nursing Program, Students must complete the following screening requirements prior to the screening deadline. Students must have submitted the following documents to the Welcome and One-Stop Center :
Student Information Form
Official high school transcript with graduation date OR, Official GED test scores OR, Official college transcripts with graduation date and degree awarded OR, Official foreign high school or college transcript evaluated by a NACES approved agency
Nursing Program Request for Screening Form once screening requirements and prerequisites are completed.
If using courses from another college to meet prerequisites or degree requirements, submit an official transcript and a “Request for Evaluation of Prior College Transcripts” form to the Office of Registrar and Records.
Minimum Selection Criteria:
Student Records must indicate the following:
College Reading and Writing Readiness and Basic Algebra Readiness
CLC Cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above
CHM 120 or CHM 121 or an equivalent course (C or better)
BIO 123 or BIO 161 or an equivalent course (C or better) *
BIO 244 or an equivalent course (C or better)
NLN PAX OR NEX Exam with minimum acceptable RN percentile rank scores of 50 in the verbal, math, and science sections, and a composite RN percentile rank of 60 (within 3 years prior to the screening deadline)
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) on the Illinois Healthcare Worker Registry or Illinois Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) if applicable
Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the start of the program
All required materials must be submitted to the Welcome and One Stop Center by the screening deadlines.
* If BIO 244 AND BIO 246 (or equivalent) are completed at another accredited college with a grade of “C” or better, BIO 123 will not be required.
Please note that MTH 102 or equivalent is a prerequisite for BIO 123 and CHM 120.
Note: Applicants may take the NLN NEX Exam once every 45 days . NLN PAX Exam results that are less than 45- days between exams will not be considered. Scores used for screening into the nursing program will be valid for only 3 years prior to a screening deadline. Scores older than 3 years will not be considered for screening. Students who have completed any of the following courses (or an equivalent) must have obtained a grade of “C” or better. These courses are not prerequisites, but program requirements. They may be taken prior to acceptance into the program.
Visit : https://stuportal.clcillinois.edu/resources/student-records or https://www.nln.org/education/assessment-services
Students who are selected for the program are required to confirm their acceptance within the designated timeframe and attend a mandatory orientation session. Failure to attend the mandatory orientation session may result in the student losing their seat in the program.
Students must maintain a minimum grade of “C” in each of the courses listed below to continue in and graduate from the program. In addition, students must maintain a CLC GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Recommended Plan of Study
First Semester | 13-14 Credits | |
CoURSE | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
College Success Seminar | 2 | |
course * | Principles of Biology or | |
General Biology I | 4 | |
course * | Chemical Concepts or | |
General Chemistry I | 4-5 | |
English Composition I | 3 | |
Second Semester | 8 Credits | |
CoURSE | Title | Hours |
Microbiology | 4 | |
course * | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
Third Semester | 15 Credits | |
CoURSE | Title | Hours |
Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | |
Foundational Concepts of Nursing Practice | 8 | |
Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
Fourth Semester | 14 Credits | |
CoURSE | Title | Hours |
Medical Surgical Nursing | 8 | |
Lifespan Development | 3 | |
Critical Thinking or other Humanities or Fine Arts Elective | ||
Fifth Semester | 11 Credits | |
CoURSE | Title | Hours |
Fundamentals of Speech or | ||
Dynamics of Small Group Discussion or | ||
Interviewing Practices | 3 | |
NUR230 | Nursing Care of Special Patient Populations | 8 |
Sixth Semester | 11 Credits | |
CoURSE | Title | Hours |
Cultural Anthropology or | ||
Cross-Cultural Relationships | 3 | |
Complex Medical, Surgical and Leadership Nursing | 8 | |
Total Hours for A.A.S. | 72-73 |
* Courses used to fulfill the nursing program screening requirements may not be used as a general elective, with the exception of NUR110.
For more information on recommended courses or program specific advising, contact the Director of Nursing Education, Dr. Stephanie Suk (ssuk@clcillinois.edu), or the Nursing Education Office at (847) 543-2043.
Nursing Technical Performance Standards
Nursing is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on those requirements and [the State of Illinois licensing requirements], a list of “Performance Standards” has been developed. Each standard has an example of an activity or activities that a potential student will be required to perform while enrolled in the nursing program.
Issue | Standard | Examples of Required Activities (Not all inclusive) |
Visual | Visual ability for observation and assessment necessary in the operation of equipment and care of patients. | • Ability to observe subtle changes in patients such as skin color intensity, color coded supplies and abnormal skin conditions. • Ability to view various equipment settings such as patient monitors, infusion pumps, syringes with minute calibrations and Intravenous and medication labels. • Ability to view computer records necessary for patient care. • Ability to perform procedures using hand-to eye-coordination. • Ability to read medication administration records in paper or electronic format. |
Hearing | Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and assess patient needs, and to provide a safe environment. | • Ability to hear and verbally respond to patient questions and directions from instructors, students, and staff, in person and/or over the phone. • Ability to listen to breath and heart sounds while assessing vital signs including BP, pulse, and respiration rate. • Ability to hear equipment monitors such as IV pumps, bed alarms and heart monitors. • Ability to hear patient call lights. • Ability to hear faint body sounds (heart sounds, bowel sounds) and assess placement of tubes. • Ability to hear in situations where masks are required such as surgery or isolation rooms. |
Tactile | Tactile ability sufficient for patient assessment and treatment and operation of equipment | • Ability to perform the required techniques using patient equipment such as probes, sensors, pumps, bed controls, monitors, and computers. • Ability to perform palpation of pulses in a variety of locations on the body. • Ability to palpate the body surface during physical assessment. • Ability to sense changes in body temperature by touch. |
Mental | Mental ability sufficient for patient assessment and treatment and operation of equipment and care of patients. | • Ability to visually concentrate and focus attention, thoughts, and efforts on patients and equipment for varying periods of time. • Ability to respond to patients’ changing physical conditions • Ability to function in rapidly changing and high stress situations and environments. • Ability to respond in a calm manner during an emergency situation. |
Issue | Standard | Examples of Required Activities (Not all inclusive) |
Environmental Requirements | Physical health sufficient enough to be able to tolerate certain conditions present in the clinical setting. | • Ability to tolerate risks or discomforts in the clinical setting that require special safety precautions, additional safety education, health risk monitoring, working with sharps, chemicals, and infectious disease. Students may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, goggles, gloves. |
Communication | Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. | • Ability to effectively communicate to the patients in order to assess, instruct, relieve anxiety, converse, gain their cooperation during procedures, provide care and treatments, dispense medications, and understand the patients when they are communicating symptoms of a medical emergency. • Ability to obtain information, explain treatment procedures, initiate health education training, and describe patient situations • Ability to perceive non-verbal communications • Ability to document following ethical and legal guidelines • Ability to read the patient’s medical history and/or medical consult. • Ability to document own actions and patient responses as indicated. • Ability to collaborate with other members of the health care team verbally, on the phone or in writing. • Ability to accurately report a patient’s condition to others verbally, on the phone or in writing. |
Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces. | • Ability to assist all patients in turning, moving in bed, transferring, and ambulating according to individual needs and abilities. • Ability to move in confined spaces. • Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time. • Ability to squat, bend, and stoop. • Ability to push, pull, and lift 50 lbs. • Ability to push a wheelchair, cart, bed, or equipment without injury to self, patient, or others. • Ability to reach above the shoulders to assess and maintain IV fluids or bedside monitors. |
Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe effective patient care. | • Physically be able to administer emergency care including performing CPR. • Ability to execute the small muscle hand and finger movements required to safely perform nursing procedures such as medication administration, intravenous therapy, dressing changes, and tube or catheter insertion and removal. • Ability to grasp, twist and manipulate small objects such as IV tubing, syringes, droppers, and medication packaging. |
Issue | Standard | Examples of Required Activities (Not all inclusive) |
Critical Thinking | Critical thinking ability sufficient for safe clinical judgment. | • Ability to recognize cause-effect relationships in clinical situations. • Ability to develop and implement nursing diagnoses and patient care plans. • Ability to assess subtle changes in a patient’s condition and respond appropriately. • Ability to evaluate patient information such as assessment data, vital signs, or laboratory values and respond appropriately. • Ability to safely administer medications and understand the actions and potential reactions. • Ability to initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR, based on assessment data. |
Interpersonal Behavioral and Social Skills | Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. | • Ability to establish rapport with patients, families, and colleagues. • Ability to allow mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and fellow workers (interpersonal skills). • Ability to tolerate a physically taxing and mentally challenging workload. • Ability to function effectively under stress. • Ability to adapt to changing environments (flexible schedules, emergency conditions, multiple interruptions, noised, distractions). • Ability to display compassion, professionalism, empathy, integrity, concern for others, and interest and motivation. • Ability to negotiate in situations of conflict and appropriately resolve the conflict. |
The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and College of Lake County policy prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. One of the purposes of this document is to ensure that students are aware of the requirements of this program and acknowledge their understanding of the program requirements. Students who have a disability and are in need of accommodations or modifications must contact the Office for Students with Disabilities (“OSD”). The OSD will determine whether or not any reasonable accommodations or modifications can be provided.