Nursing (ADN)

*SEE UPDATES AND CLARIFICATIONS SECTION IN THE 2024-2025 CATALOG

This program prepares graduates to function with the knowledge, skill, and attitudes needed to adapt quickly within the ever-changing healthcare environment for entry-level nursing practice in a variety of healthcare settings. This program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Work and Employment

Registered nurses deliver care to patients in all areas of the healthcare spectrum in collaboration with interprofessional members of the healthcare team in hospital, long-term care, or in the patient's home environment. Nurses also provide services in community facilities such as health departments, industry, schools, and clinics. Promotion of health and general well-being is provided by the registered nurse in all settings.   With experience and education, nurses may work in specialized areas such as obstetrics, 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 to the nursing program must take the ATI TEAS test. Reapplicants can opt to retake the ATI TEAS test.
• TEAS testing must be completed prior to the application deadline date
• Testing will include areas of Reading, English, Mathematics, and Science
• Applicants may not test any more than once per 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 username and password
  • Go to www.atitesting.com
• Contact the Academic Advising office at 815-835-6354 to submit a request to the Testing Center to schedule the TEAS test.
  • Fee will be paid to ATI per credit card at the time of testing
• BRING THE FOLLOWING TO THE TESTING  SESSION:
  • ATI user name, password, and ID number
  • Photo ID
  • Credit  card for payment to ATI
• Study guides are available in the SVCC Library or may be purchased online at http://www.atitesting.com  For free practice tests, please visit http://www.testprepreview.com/teas_practice.html
• TEAS score valid for 3 years

TEAS score will determine placement in the ADN application pool as detailed in the Nursing Admission Handbook (obtained at the required nursing informational meeting).

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 IP with verification of work history or documentation of successful completion of a state CNA program, NRS 121 (recertification) or VOC 121 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.  Verification of passage of the certification exam is required; admission will be provisional until successful passage of exam. (Advanced Placement students - LPN license is applicable for this requirement.)

2.  Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.5 or above.

3.  ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (Note: only one of the following criteria must be met. Applicants are encouraged to complete higher-level English courses without risk to admission being earned.  (This category does not provide points for admission.) 

• SVCC Placement Test/ACT/SAT Writing Score validating minimum ENG 101 placement
• Completed ELA 099 or higher with a grade of "C" or better

4.  MATH (Note: only one of the following must be met. The highest level point standard achieved will be utilized. Applicants are encouraged to complete higher level math courses without risk to points earned.)

• HS Algebra 2 or MATH 3 with a "C" or better (within the last five years of when the algebra course was taken.)
• Satisfactory completion of MAT 078, MAT 081, or a higher level math course with a grade of "C" or better at SVCC. (note: MAT 106 is not a higher level math course
• Grade of "C" or better in an equivalent course at another college/university
• Placed into entry-level transferable college-level math, (MAT 110/115; 121/240 or higher utilizing an accepted valid placement measure).

5.  CHEMISTRY (Note: only one of the following must be met. The highest level point standard achieved will be utilized).

• Grade of "C" or better for two semesters (1 year) of high school chemistry (within the last 5 years of when the chemistry was taken.)
• 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

6.  BIOLOGY (Note: only one of the following must be met. The highest level point standard achieved will be utilized.)

• Grade of "C" or better for four semesters of high school biology (within the last 5 years of when the biology was taken.)
• 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
• Grade of "C" or better in BIO 109 or BIO 110 (utilization of BIO 109 or 110 for application will negate bonus points for course

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 102 or 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 Advisor in the semester of intended application prior to the admissions deadline 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, candidates must meet the second candidate evaluation deadline of June 1.

Out-of-District Application

Sauk Valley Community College is required by the Illinois Community College Act (110 ILCS 805/3-17) to give preference to in-district resident candidates. Out-of-district applicants will be considered if space is available after June 1 of the year of application to enter the program. Out-of-district applicants to the program coming from colleges with cooperative agreements will be given the same consideration (March 1 deadline) as in-district applicants.

Program Requirements

A grade of "C" is the minimum passing grade for all major field requirements, communication, social science, humanities, and natural science courses. Successful completion of a nursing course requires a "C" in the classroom, satisfactory clinical performance and "Pass" on clinical competency or skills-based performance measures.  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.

The NRS courses are organized to be completed in a two-year sequence. However, provisions are made for those who need to distribute the general education courses over a longer period of time. See Option I and Option II.