Lewis and Clark Community College Nursing Program Review

Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC), located thirty miles north of St. Louis, provides students in southern Illinois with work-training opportunities and pre-baccalaureate programs. In addition to its own associate degree and certificate options, Lewis and Clark Community College hosts baccalaureate and graduate programs that are provided by other schools. Prospective nurses can enroll in one program at Lewis and Clark Community College: an associate degree. Here is a review of the available program:

Associate Degree Nursing

Lewis and Clark Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The program begins each fall and each spring, and takes two years to complete. In order to be eligible for admission, an applicant must complete one college-level biology class and one college-level chemistry class.

If the student does not earn passing scores on English and math placement tests, he must also complete classes in those areas before applying to the ADN program. Once enrolled in the ADN program, a student takes seventy-three credit hours over the course of two years (including a summer semester). The courses consist of general education requirements, nursing courses, and clinical rotations at local clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. At the conclusion of the program, graduates are prepared to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). If successful, they can immediately begin working as Registered Nurses (RN) or they may transfer into a RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion program at a four-year college.

Associate Degree Nursing – LPN Track

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can quickly advance in the nursing profession by earning an ADN degree and becoming an RN. Lewis and Clark Community College helps Licensed Practical Nurses move up the career ladder through an LPN track in the ADN program. While LPNs must complete all the general education course requirements, they may skip the whole first year of nursing courses (with the possible exception of a course in Community-Based Psychiatric Nursing, depending on the LPN’s previous education and work experience). LPNs start the nursing course sequence with a transition course, and if successful in this course, they receive credit for the first year of nursing courses. The length of the program can vary, depending on how many general education courses the LPN must take, but the nursing courses should only take a year to complete.

Other Options – Nurse Assistant Training Course

As a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), a prospective nurse has the opportunity to learn important nursing skills, and determine whether nursing is the right career path for her. As the CNA training class is short, a student who is hesitant about committing to the nursing program may want to consider completing this course and working in the field before deciding. Lewis and Clark Community College’s CNA training class is worth six credits, and includes six days of clinical experience. After completing the course, a graduate can apply for certification from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Contact:
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035

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