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Nursing: Practical - Certificate (E91)

(E91) Certificate

This program is designed to prepare the graduate to function in the role of the beginning practical nurse to provide bedside care in a variety of health care settings. The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Work and Employment

Licensed practical nurses assist in caring for the sick under the direction of registered nurses, physicians, dentists or podiatrists. They perform procedures and treatments such as measuring vital signs, applying dressings and giving medications. LPNs work for nursing homes, hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities. With experience and training, they may work in specialized areas such as recovery room, intensive care or obstetric units on rare occasions. Advancement in health care education is generally required for specialized areas.

Special Considerations

In order to become licensed as a practical nurse, a person must complete a state-approved program like SVCC's and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for practical nurses (PN).

Admission Requirements

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. Fulfill Reading Proficiency requirement by verifying ONE of the following: (The most recent score or grade will be utilized.) Reading Assessment: placed out of a reading course. RDG 098 with a "C" or better. (ENG 105 with "C" or better prior to Fall 2002)
3. Fulfill Math Proficiency requirement by verifying ONE of the following: (The most recent score or grade will be utilized.) Place into MAT 106 or 081 or higher using SVCC placement or ACT score. Successful completion of MAT 075 or a higher level math course. Equivalent math course at another college or university with a grade of "C" or better.
4. Fulfill Writing Proficiency requirement by verifying ONE of the following: (The most recent score or grade will be utilized.) Writing Assessment: placed into ENG 101 using SVCC Placement or ACT score. ENG 099 with a "C" or better. (ENG 100 with a "C" or better prior to Fall 2002) ENG 101 or the equivalent with a "C" or better.

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 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.

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.

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 those 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.