Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Nursing Program Review

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) is comprised of four schools: Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Olney Central College in Olney, and Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel. Together, the four schools that make up Illinois Eastern Community Colleges enroll nearly 40,000 students in associate degree programs, certificate programs, continuing education classes, and pre-baccalaureate programs.

Olney Central College offers a nursing program which the other three members of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges participate in. Prospective nursing students can take classes at any of the four campuses. The nursing program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program

Before beginning any of the nursing programs at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, a prospective nurse must become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). She can do this through the Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program, which is offered at all four member schools of Illinois Eastern Community College. The program takes one semester to complete, and prepares the graduate to take the Illinois licensing exam. In addition to being the basis for the nursing programs, the Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program can provide a direct entry into the nursing profession.

Practical Nursing Certificate

Prospective Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) should enroll in Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ Practical Nursing Certificate program. Before enrolling in the program, a student must earn CPR certification and become a CNA. Once enrolled, she will take forty-four credits over the course of three semesters. The courses consist of both general education classes and nursing courses. The program begins each fall, and by the following summer, a student is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN) and seek work as an LPN. Alternatively, she can continue into upper-level nursing courses through the associate degree program.

Associate Degree Nursing

A student who wishes to enter the workforce as a Registered Nurse (RN) should enroll in Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. As with the practical nursing program, applicants must already be CNAs. Once enrolled, the program requires two full years (including one summer semester) to complete. First-year students take all the same classes as the practical nursing students, but after the second semester, they go on to additional general education courses and more in-depth nursing courses. After earning a total of seventy-two credit hours, ADN students are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN).

Associate Degree Nursing – LPN Advanced Placement

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges are committed to the idea of continuing education, and try to make the transition from one degree level to the next as smooth as possible. With this in mind, LPNs can transition easily into the ADN program. Graduates of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ practical nursing program can start right away in the second year of the ADN program. However, if more than three years pass between the completion of the practical nursing program and the start of the ADN program, an LPN must complete one transition course in nursing. LPNs who received training through a different school may need to complete additional courses.

Continuing Education Options

In the same spirit of continuing education, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges provide a smooth transition for ADN graduates to move on to a full Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program through several different universities in Illinois and Indiana. ADN students who wish to go this route should work with an advisor to make sure that they complete any additional general education requirements and prerequisites in addition to the ADN coursework.

Contact:
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
District Office
233 East Chestnut Street
Olney, IL 62450

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