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Nursing (ADN) - Associate in Applied Science (052)

(052) Associate in Applied Science

This program prepares graduates to function with the knowledge, skill and judgment of an entry level staff nurse in a variety of health care settings. This program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Work and Employment

Registered nurses care for the sick and help people stay well. They provide bedside nursing care in collaboration with a physician in the hospital, in long-term care facilities or in the home. Nurses also provide services in community facilities like schools and clinics. Industry is another setting where nurses are employed. With experience and education, nurses may work in specialized areas such as pediatrics, emergency or intensive care units. Nurses may obtain bachelor's degrees and advanced degrees such as master's or doctorate degrees.

TEAS Testing-Requirement for All Nursing Applicants

• All new applicants and re-applicants to the nursing program must take the ATI TEAS test.
• TEAS testing must be completed prior to the application deadline date.
• Testing will included areas of Reading, English, Mathematics and Science.
• Applicants may not test any more than once a semester. Retesting allowed in subsequent semesters. Test may be repeated three times.
• TEAS testing applicable for admission MUST be completed at SVCC or additional charges for official ATI transcripts are incurred.
• You must set up an ATI account with a user name and password.
  • Go to www.atitesting.com
  • Click on create a new account and develop a user name and password of your choice.
    • ATI will then provide you with an ID number.
    • Note User name, password and ID number as it must be brought with you for testing session.
  • Click on the online store tab in Main Menu on the left hand side.
  • Once in the shop section, scroll down to Register for TEAS.
  • Choose The State of Illinois and City of Dixon.
  • Sign up for the date and time of your choosing.
  • Fee paid to ATI per credit card.
• BRING THE FOLLOWING TO THE TESTING SESSION:
  • ATI user name, password and ID number.
  • Photo ID.
  • YOU MUST BE ON TIME FOR THE SESSION, LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TEST, but your time allowance will be affected.
• Study guides are available in the SVCC Library or may be purchased online at www.atitesting.com. For free practice tests, please visit www.testprepreview.com/teas_practice.html.
• TEAS score valid for 3 years.
• Points will be awarded according to your score as detailed in the Nursing Admission Handbook.

Special Considerations

In order to become licensed as a registered nurse, one must complete a state approved program like Sauk Valley's and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses (RN).

Admission Requirements

Satisfy all of the following academic criteria:

1. Active CNA certificate on file with IDPH with verification of work history (starting with 2013 application cycle) or documentation of successful completion of a state approved CNA program within the last 2 years. CNA work history verification can be documented via: tax records, payment stub, IDPH registry (if clinical updates are present) or a letter from the employer. (Advanced Placement students - LPN license is applicable for this requirement.)
2. MATH (Note: only one of the following must be met. The most recent score or grade will be utilized.)
   • Four semesters of high school algebra with a "C" or better within the last five years of when the algebra course was taken.
   • Satisfactory completion of MAT 106 or 081 or a higher level math course with a grade of "C" or better at SVCC.
   • Grade of "C" or better in an equivalent course at another college/university.
   • Placed into entry-level transferrable college level math, (MAT 110/115; 121/240 or higher).
3. CHEMISTRY (Note: only one of the following must be met. The most recent score or grade will be utilized.)
   • Grade of "C" or better for two semesters (1 year) of high school chemistry.
   • Grade of "C" or better in CHE 103, CHE 102, or higher at SVCC.
   • Grade of "C" or better in an equivalent course at another college/university.
4. BIOLOGY (Note: only one of the following must be met. The most recent score or grade will be utilized.)
   • Grade of "C" or better for two - four semesters of high school biology based on BIO 109 completion date.
   • Grade of "C" or better in BIO 105 or BIO 108 at SVCC. BIO 105 qualifies for higher points.
   • Grade of "C" or better in an equivalent course at another college/university.

High school coursework used to fulfill requirements must be completed within 5 years of application to the program. This means the last course completed not the graduation date.

The biology department requires a student who has not had a high school biology course within 5 years with a grade of "C" or better, to complete BIO 105 or BIO 108 prior to registering for BIO 109 and BIO 110. Also, those candidates who did not complete high school chemistry with a grade of "C" or better within the last 5 years must complete CHE 103 prior to registering for BIO 109. It is highly recommended that associate degree nursing applicants complete high school algebra, biology and chemistry.

Admission Procedure

1. Complete the college's general admission procedure.
2. Attend a nursing information meeting.
3. Meet with the Health Career Education Counselor and develop an academic progression plan.
4. File a current Nursing program application form with the Dean of Health Professions.
5. Submit two letters of recommendation to the Dean of Health Professions.

Further admission information is available in the Admission Handbook.

Application Deadlines

The admission requirements and the admission procedure must be completed by March 1 of the year the applicant wishes to be admitted. If the class is not filled, a second candidate evaluation will be implemented after June 1.

Out-of-District Application

Out-of-district applicants to the nursing program will be considered after June 1, if space is available and there are no qualified in-district applicants.

Program Requirements

A grade of "C" is the minimum passing grade for all major field requirements, social science, natural science, and mathematics courses. Successful completion of a nursing course requires a "C" in the classroom, satisfactory clinical performance and "Pass" on clinical competency examinations. A student who is unsatisfactory in any one of these areas will receive a failing grade for the course. If an NRS course is failed, it may be repeated once. No more than one NRS course may be repeated.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Health Career Education Counselor, 815/835-6354;
Janet Lynch, Dean of Health Professions, 815/835-6374.

Follow this link for career information.