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Certificate – 7 credit hours
Non-transferable
Program contact: Nursing program office, (815) 921-3264
| Name & Number of Certificate Program: Nursing Aide 5411 |
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| Information |
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| 2011 (Jan-Dec) |
2012 (Jan-Dec) |
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| 1. Length of Program in Months (based on FT status) | 8 or 16 weeks |
8 or 16 weeks |
| 2. Cost of programs (tuition/fees only) | $709.50 | $709.50 |
| 3. Additional Fees (program-specific) | $307.50 | $307.50 + Flu Vaccine |
| 4. Estimated cost of books and supplies (program-specific) | Approx. $90 |
Approx. $90 |
| 5. SOC Code | 33-2011.01 | |
|
6. Completers |
375 completers |
336 completers |
Nurse assistants are in great demand with the current shortage of nursing personnel. This program prepares students to enter the health care workforce. Nurse assistants work as caregivers in all types of healthcare facilities and agencies. As health team members, nursing assistants work under the supervision of nurses and provide routine daily care and essential duties related to patient care. Classroom, skill lab, and clinical attendance are required.
The nursing aide course grade of C or higher, a passing criminal background check, and a passing score on the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation prepares the student for employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant and for partial completion of nursing program admission requirements. The average salary for a nursing assistant is $11-13 per hour.
The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible for the Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation.
Enrollment in the course requires one of four testing options: the College Assessment Test administered by Rock Valley College Assessment Center, or the Certified Nursing Assistant Reading Test administered by RVC Assessment Center, or the TABE Test administered by RVC grant programs, or the ACT scores reported from the American College Testing Service. A physical exam, two-step Mantoux TB skin test, and a criminal background check are required and will be initiated the first week of class. The program is 80 hours of theory in the classroom and 40 hours of clinical experience in an area health care facility.
NAD 101 Nursing Aide (7)
Certificate – 36 credit hours
Limited transfer
Program contact: Nursing program office, (815) 921-3261
| Name & Number of Certificate Program: Practical Nursing 5404 |
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| Information |
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| 2010-11 |
2011-12 |
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| 1. Length of Program in Months (based on FT status) | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| 2. Cost of programs (tuition/fees only) | $2,988.00 | $2,988.00 |
| 3. Additional Fees (program-specific) | $369.00 | $369.00 |
| 4. Estimated cost of books and supplies (program-specific) | $1,744.00 | $1,744.00 |
| 5. SOC Code | 33-2011.01 | |
|
6. Completers |
29 completers (96.5% employable in field- passed NCLEX-PN) |
18 expected grads (June 2012) |
Licensed practical nurses are integral health team members who provide expert care for challenging patients under the direction of the RN. This is a 10 1/2 month program that prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-PN examination to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Graduates of the program are qualified to work in healthcare facilities such as nursing homes, home healthcare, physicians’ offices, and ambulatory care.
Licensed Practical Nurses can use their education and experience toward an associate degree in nursing at RVC. The LPN Bridge for the Associate Degree Nursing program allows LPNs to complete the nursing program without repeating courses taken in the LPN program. For details, see “LPN Bridge.”
The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN according to the requirements for licensure in the Illinois Nursing and Advanced Nursing Practice Act.
Students interested in the nursing program should attend a nursing information session to familiarize themselves with specific admission procedures, requirements, and standards. Information about the Nursing program and applications may be obtained by calling (815) 921-3261.
Applicants who have not attended college before will need to call (815) 921-2382 to schedule an appointment for an assessment test. Transfer applicants should submit all transcripts to the Rock Valley College Admissions and Records Office with indication of the intent to apply to the nursing program.
The applicant pool is competitive; selection for admission is based upon above average grades in anatomy and physiology as well as in the cumulative GPA. There are specific requirements and prerequisites to be admitted to the Practical Nursing program.
Practical Nursing program application, admission policies and requirements
1. APPLICATION procedures
2. Applicants will be considered for admission to Rock Valley College according to college policies governing full-time students.
Nursing program admission requirements are:
3. Prerequisite course requirements are:
4. Personal statement and interview: Students with completed applications will be notified of the process for completing an interview with a nursing program representative.
1. Good health as certified by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner and completion of Rock Valley College physical exam and immunization records.
2. Essential abilities standard as outlined in the Practical Nursing Student Handbook.
3. A criminal background check will be required; a positive background check may result in the inability to complete the program.
4. Professional liability insurance (available at group rates to nursing students through the college).
5. Current CPR certification as a healthcare provider.
6. A minimum grade of “C” in all corequisite courses. These courses include:
PSY 170 - General Psychology (must be completed by the end of first semester).
FWS 237 - Nutrition for Optimum Living
* ENG 101 - Composition I (may be completed in the summer/fall semesters).
7. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in each nursing course. Students receiving a grade below “C” in any required nursing course must repeat the entire course, both theory and clinical.
8. Students admitted to the Nursing program are expected to meet all progression criteria including academic and performance standards (clinical standards) with or without reasonable accommodations. These standards are provided in the program’s Student Nurse Handbook.
9. Repetition of a course requires re-admission to the program and review by the faculty admission committee.
Practical Nursing Certificate Requirements: (36 credits)
Practical Nursing Core Requirements: (27 credits)
* PNU 103 Practical Nursing: Fundamentals (7)
* PNU 107 Basic Principles of Pharmacology for Nursing (1)
* PNU 120 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Mental Health (1)
* PNU 140 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Conception Through Adolescence (6)
* PNU 160 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Young Adult Through Middle Adult (6)
* PNU 201 Nursing Throughout the Lifespan: Geriatric (6)
General Education Course Requirements: (9 credits)
PSY 170 General Psychology (3)
FWS 237 Nutrition for Optimum Living (3)
* ENG 101 Composition I (3)
*Course has a prerequisite—refer to course descriptions.