Lincoln Land Community College Nursing Program Review

Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) offers classes at its main campus in Springfield, as well as in satellite locations all over southern and south-central Illinois. The college holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and is able to offer associate degrees and certificates, as well as transfer degrees which allow a student to move seamlessly into the upper level of a baccalaureate program at a four-year school.

Among the programs are several in the health sciences field, including an associate degree in nursing and a certificate in nursing. Lincoln Land Community College’s nursing program has accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approval from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Here is a review of the available programs:

Basic Nurse Assistant Certificate

A Basic Nurse Assistant program can provide an entry point for a student who wishes to enter the nursing profession, and it is the necessary starting point for a student who wishes to pursue a practical nursing certificate at Lincoln Land Community College. The college’s Basic Nurse Assistant Certificate program takes one semester to complete, and is worth six and a half credits. It consists of classroom and clinical instruction, and prepares a graduate to take the Nurse Aide Competency Exam offered by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Graduates may seek work as Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA).

Practical Nursing Certificate

Lincoln Land Community College’s Practical Nursing Certificate program provides prospective nurses with the quickest way to enter the nursing profession. As Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), graduates will provide nursing care to patients under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RN) and physicians. While this is an entry-level position in the nursing field, it is a solid and in-demand career path and also provides an excellent foundation for further education and advancement.

Students in the practical nursing certificate program will study for three consecutive semesters; courses include nursing classes and general education classes in anatomy and physiology, composition, and psychology. Practical nursing students earn a total of thirty-six credit hours. Incoming students must already be CNAs. Graduation from the practical nursing program enables a student to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN).

Associate Degree Nursing

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program prepares students to enter the nursing profession at the level of RN. It consists of seventy credit hours, and takes two years to complete (not including a summer term). Students will take general education courses, nursing support courses in the sciences and psychology, and nursing courses. Graduates of the program may sit for the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). IF successful, they may begin working at once. Alternatively, they can bridge into a full Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Lincoln Land Community College has agreements in place with several universities, allowing ADN graduates to transfer and complete a BSN degree in two years. These universities include Benedictine University, Kaplan University, MacMurray College, Methodist College of Nursing, and Millikin University.

Associate Degree Nursing – LPN Bridge

An LPN may bridge into the ADN program. She must complete a five-credit LPN-ADN transition nursing course in order to be eligible to take the upper-level nursing courses in the ADN program. Along with the transition course and the upper-level nursing courses, she must complete general education requirements to earn her ADN. Upon graduation from the ADN program, she is eligible to take the NCLEX_RN and seek a nursing position with more responsibility.

Contact:
Lincoln Land Community College
5250 Shepherd Road
Springfield, IL 62794

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