Nursing, A.A.S.
A.A.S. Degree—69 credit hours
Curriculum Code 1545
This program prepares students for nursing careers in hospitals and other health care facilities. Admitted students who wish to earn an Associate in Science degree in addition to an Associate in Applied Science degree should consult with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center.
Students learn to deliver nursing care to people of all ages using principles of the biological, physical and behavioral sciences, plus study how to assess nursing care needs of patients and how to make judgments in planning, implementing and evaluating appropriate nursing care.
This two-year program starts in either the fall or spring of each year and continues for a total of five consecutive semesters, including prerequisites and excluding summer. The Nursing Program conducts a rigorous curriculum of lectures, labs and clinicals. Clinicals are conducted on site at a variety of hospitals during the day time or evening with no flexibility in scheduling. Therefore, holding a full-time job while in the program may affect student success and is not recommended. However, general education classes are available morning, afternoon or evening, and can be completed part-time, if necessary.
For licensed LPNs, learn about the LPN - RN Transition Program and speak to an academic advisor.
Employment Outlook
Job opportunities for RNs in all specialties are expected to be excellent. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations, and, because the occupation is very large, many new jobs will result. In fact, registered nurses are projected to create the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations. Thousands of job openings also will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation, especially as the median age of the registered nurse population continues to rise.
Much faster-than-average growth will be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit a greater number of medical problems to be treated, and by an increasing emphasis on preventive care. In addition, the number of older people, who are much more likely than younger people to need nursing care, is projected to grow rapidly.
Accreditation
Moraine Valley’s Nursing Program is approved and licensed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Department of Vocational Technical Education.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). They are located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 or by phone at (404) 975-5000.
Licensure
Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Springfield grants licensure for registered nurses. **Upon successful completion of the first year and completion of the nursing elective NUR-165, students will be eligible and have the option to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This is an option embedded in the MVCC ADN program.
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Springfield grants licensure for registered nurses. Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam, graduates may apply to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for Registered Nurse licensure. Graduating from a state-approved and licensed nursing program guarantees the right to apply to write for the licensing exam.
Application and Selection Processes
For complete information about the Nursing Program application and selection processes, please refer to the Nursing Program website.
Application process
Selection Process
Academic Standing
Fees—Fees associated with specific nursing courses include use of equipment, some supplies, online learning assessment and remediation, and malpractice insurance if it is a clinical nursing course.
Health Physical—Prior to enrollment, admitted students must submit a complete health history and physical form signed by the applicant and physician or nurse practitioner. The health history and physical must be updated every two years. The health physical includes required laboratory tests and immunizations as required by clinical affiliates. This requirement may cost around $400. Mandatory TB tests, annual flu vaccine, background check, and drug screening are required. Questions about the health physical should be directed to the department chair of Nursing. Health physical forms may be obtained from the Admissions Office. Admission is contingent on your drug screen and background check according to the Nursing Practice Act and our clinical affiliates.
See the ADN rules and regulations for specific information on reporting pregnancy, illness, injury, surgery or need for medications.
Readmission—Upon withdrawal or failure to maintain a minimum GPA in the Nursing Program, students seeking readmission must follow the Department of Nursing policies for readmission. The readmission policies are contained in the Nursing rules and regulations that are distributed to every student at orientation and discussed the first day of class.
Students seeking readmission need to:
- Complete and submit an attrition form. (Attrition forms are available from the instructor and should be returned to the department chair/director of Nursing.)
- Meet conditions for readmission as stated on the Nursing Program attrition form, and the program rules and regulations.
- Make sure health record and CPR status meet program requirements.
Program Requirements
All courses in the Nursing program must be completed with a minimum grade of “C.”
As per Nursing program policy, courses may be repeated only once for a total of two enrollments in a course.
Traditional Nursing program students must complete the program within six semesters from admission. This includes any readmission into the first semester of nursing courses and may include any leave of absence granted.
LPN-RN program students must complete the Nursing program within three semesters starting from the third semester of nursing courses.
Additional requirements:
- Responsible for transportation to and from clinical affiliates.
- Responsible for submitting a completed health physical prior to start of program and update results as required—see Health Physical section on this page.
- Responsible for complying with drug screens, criminal background check, etc., as required by clinical affiliates. This will be at the student’s expense.
- Provide proof of comprehensive health and accident insurance.
- Responsible for all program fees.
- Responsible for obtaining uniforms.
- Maintain and report proof of current AHA Health Care Provider CPR certification while in program.
- Required to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct. See the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of this catalog.
Curriculum
Required General Education Courses—12 credit hours as follows:
Required Program Science Courses —12 credit hours as follows:
| BIO-119 | Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO-180 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO-181 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
Required Career Courses—45 credit hours as follows:
Electives:
There is no requirement that a student in the program take any elective courses or elective credit hours.
| NUR-145 | Nursing Enrichment I Special Topics | 1 |
| NUR-165 | Nursing Transitions I | 3 |
| NUR-245 | Nursing Enrichment II Special Topics | 1 |
Students must have completed required course prerequisites, be currently enrolled in required course corequisites, and successfully pass all pre- and corequisites to continue in the ADN Program.
A minimum level of competency in mathematics is required for graduation for all A.A.S. degrees. This minimum competency is demonstrated as part of the special admissions requirements for the Nursing program. Students must place into MTH-120 or higher to be admitted into the program.
Suggested Schedule
Semester 1 (7 credit hours)
| BIO-119 | Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| PSY-104 | Life-Span Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Semester 2 (16 credit hours)
Semester 3 (16 credit hours)
| BIO-181 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| NUR-122 | Pharmacology & Disease Processes II | 2 |
| NUR-141 | Nursing Concepts II | 3 |
| NUR-142 | Nursing Concepts III | 3 |
| NUR-152 | Nursing Arts III | 1 |
| NUR-161 | Nursing Clinical Practice II-OB | 1-2 |
| NUR-162 | Nursing Clinical Practice II-MS | 2 |
Semester 4 (14 credit hours)
Semester 5 (16 credit hours)
Note: Semesters 1 - 3 plus a summer bridge course NUR-165 constitute the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate program.