Kaskaskia College Nursing Program Review

Kaskaskia College (KC), in Centralia in south central Illinois, prepares students for transfer into baccalaureate programs at other four-year schools. As a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, Kaskaskia College students can transfer general education courses from the college to a number of four-year schools in Illinois.

In addition to preparing students to transfer, Kaskaskia College offers a number of career and technical programs that allow a graduate to directly enter the work force. Among these programs are two in the nursing field. They are approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Practical Nursing Certificate

The Practical Nursing Certificate program at Kaskaskia College prepares students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN). As Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), graduates can provide care to patients under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses (RN). This is the quickest way to enter the nursing field, and provides an excellent basis for further education and career advancement. Kaskaskia College’s practical nursing program takes three semesters to complete, but prior to starting the program, a student must take a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training course. This can be done at Kaskaskia College. An applicant must also complete one semester of college biology or two semesters of high school biology before beginning the program. The program focuses entirely on nursing courses; no general education courses are necessary. Students earn a total of forty-four credits.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS in Nursing) program is more intense than the Practical Nursing Certificate program. It takes four semesters to complete, and consists of both nursing courses and general education courses in psychology, sociology, English, and biology. AAS in Nursing students must take seventy-two credit hours in order to graduate. After graduation, they are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). As with the Practical Nursing certificate program, students in the AAS in Nursing program must be CNAs before enrolling, and must have taken one semester of college biology or two semesters of high school biology.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing – LPN Advanced Placement

An LPN who chooses to go back to school and earn the full AAS in Nursing degree is eligible for advanced placement. He will have to fulfill all general education requirements toward the AAS in Nursing degree, but should not have to take all the nursing courses. He must show proof of successful completion of an LPN program, and work with an advisor to determine an appropriate course of study.

Other Options – Certified Nurse Assistant

The Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training course at Kaskaskia College is a prerequisite for both the practical nursing program and the AAS in Nursing degree, but it can also be a way for students to directly enter the healthcare field. The program takes only seven weeks to complete; students learn the basics of caring for patients, including feeding, bathing, and transporting. The program includes classroom instruction and clinical practice, and focuses in particular on caring for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Contact:
Kaskaskia College
27210 College Road
Centralia, IL 62801

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