Lake Land College Nursing Program Review

Lake Land College (LLC) in Mattoon, Illinois prepares graduates for a successful transition to the working world. It is especially easy to measure the success of graduates of the health sciences programs, as they have to pass certification exams in order to enter the work force.

Lake Land College’s practical nursing certificate program has a certification rate of 100 percent; the associate degree program has a passage rate of 98 percent. Both programs are approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Basic Nurse Assisting Certificate Program

In just one semester, a student can learn the skills she needs to give basic nursing care to patients. Lake Land College offers a Basic Nurse Assisting Program that prepares her to take the Illinois credentialing exam and become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). As a CNA, she will gain valuable, hands-on nursing experience that can pave the way to further nursing education. The program consists of both classroom and hands-on learning, and is worth eight credit hours. A graduate of the nurse assisting program receives a certificate.

Practical Nursing Certificate

Given the success of its graduates, it is understandable that Lake Land College’s Practical Nursing Certificate program is competitive. The program has room for sixty students each year; approximately 40 percent of the applicants are accepted each year. While applicants do not have to complete any prerequisites, they do have to have passing scores on English and math placement exams. It is not necessary to be a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) in order to apply to the program, but incoming CNAs can receive two credits toward the first nursing class. The program begins each fall, and runs through three, consecutive semesters. Given the rigorous nature of the coursework and clinical rotations, it is not possible to complete the program on a part-time basis. Students must complete forty-two credit hours of nursing courses; no general education courses are required. The program is available on the main campus, as well as in Effingham and at the extension center in Pana. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN) and begin working as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).

Associate Degree in Nursing

Like the Practical Nursing Certificate program, Lake Land College’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program has room for sixty students each year. Admission is competitive; about 40 percent of the applicants are admitted each year. While the nursing sequence of the program takes two years to complete, ADN students must complete prerequisites before starting the nursing sequence. In all, it usually requires three years to complete the program. Applicants to the program must have already completed courses in biology and chemistry (high school courses are acceptable). Before beginning the nursing sequence of courses, students must complete courses in anatomy and physiology, psychology, composition, and nutrition. Once these are complete, students begin nursing classes and clinical rotations. After earning seventy-five credit hours over five semesters (including one summer semester), students are prepared to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). The ADN program is available on the main campus and in Effingham.

Associate Degree in Nursing – LPN Advanced Placement

Lake Land College welcomes LPNs to enroll in the ADN program. They must complete all the same prerequisites as the traditional ADN students, except for the class in nutrition. After completing the prerequisites, LPNs may begin with the second-year nursing courses and complete the ADN degree in just two semesters.

Contact:
Lake Land College
5001 Lake Land Blvd.
Mattoon, IL 61938

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