Practical Nursing (PN), Certificate of Achievement

Nursing Program

The Nursing Education department offers two programs of study in nursing. Students enrolled in NU500: Nursing (RN) earn an Associate in Applied Science degree. Students enrolled in NU060: Nursing (PN) earn a Certificate of Achievement.

Students are admitted into the Nursing program in both fall and spring semesters. The following is the admission procedure for the nursing program:

1. All students must meet the following prerequisites prior to application:

2. Applications for the Nursing program will be accepted by the Admissions office twice a year for the fall and the spring semester. Applications are to be submitted online. The application period for the fall class will be February 1-15. The application period for the spring class will be August 1-15. If a student is not admitted into the program after applying, another application must be submitted for the following application period. No applications will be kept on file after the start of the semester.
3. If a student has attended another college(s), transcripts must be submitted for evaluation no later than December 1 for the February application period and June 1 for the August application period. The student must complete a Transcript Evaluation Form and submit it to the Credentials office.
4. Because of the large volume of applicants for the Nursing program, a ranking system will be used to determine admission. Each eligible application will be given a number for anonymity by the Admissions office and all demographic data will be removed. Applications will then be sent to the  Nursing Admissions Committee. Applicants will be scored and ranked based on:
   1. TEAS Composite Score
   2. TEAS Reading Score
   3. Calculated GPA based on grades for ENG 101 ; PSYC 101 ; PSYC 215 ; HEAL 109 , BIO 250 ; BIO 251  whether taken at JJC or transferred in. If a class was taken twice, the highest grade will be used to calculate the GPA. If a student has “clepped” out of a class (using the College Level Examination Program - CLEP-test), the grade will be counted as a “C”. If less than 12 credit hours of college courses completed, the high school GPA will be used.
   4. Number of pre-requisite/general education classes completed (ENG 101 ; PSYC 101 ; PSYC 215 ; HEAL 109 ; BIO 250 ; BIO 251 )
   5. In order to maximize the chance for success in the Nursing program, it is highly encouraged that students take the above courses before applying to the Nursing program. NURS 100  is also strongly recommended for all nursing applicants, especially those who did not place into ENG 101  or MATH 094  based on COMPASS scores.
   6. Admitting criteria is subject to change. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the criteria on a regular basis.
   7. The ATI Test for Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) will be used as one criterion for admission. This exam evaluates math skills, reading comprehension, and English and science proficiency. The fee for this exam is approximately $30. The TEAS test is mandatory. It may only be taken once per each application period. If a student applies more than once to the Nursing program the TEAS test does not have to be repeated. If the TEAS test is repeated, the Nursing Admissions Committee will take the higher score for the ranking.
   8. Students will be notified via the JJC e-mail account of their acceptance into the program or denial.
   9. Upon admission to the Nursing program, all students are required to have on file in the Department of Nursing and Allied Health:
      1. A current physical examination that includes specified immunizations and laboratory work.
      2. Verification of successful completion of CPR for Healthcare Providers.
      3. Current criminal background check and drug screen.

Nursing Licensing Policy

In accordance with the Illinois Nursing Act of 2008, the Board of Nursing of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may or may not issue a license to practice nursing in Illinois to candidates to whom any of the following apply: 1) conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony; or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession; 2) a pattern of practice or other behavior which demonstrates incapacity or incompetency to practice under the Nurse Practice Act; 3) engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public; 4) unlawful taking, theft, selling, distributing, or manufacturing of any drug, narcotic, or prescription device; 5) habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or another chemical agent or drug that could result in a licensee’s inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill  or safety; 6) being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services and under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected child Reporting Act; 7) have been denied a license, permit or privilege of taking an examination by any licensing authority; 8) have had a license encumbered in any  way; 9) attempting to subvert or cheat on a licensing examination; 10) physical illness, including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, mental illness, or disability that results in the inability to practice the profession with  reasonable judgment, skill or safety; 11) failure to file a tax return, or to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by a Tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time that the requirements of the Tax Act are satisfied.

Degree Requierments

The Certificate of Achievement Nursing program is designed for persons who wish to become licensed practical nurses (LPN). The program combines classroom experience on the Joliet Junior College campus with clinical experience in health facilities throughout the community.

A student who completes the program is awarded a Certificate of Achievement and is eligible to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as an LPN in Illinois.

General Education Requirements (Must include the following): 17 Semester Hours

• BIO 250 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIO 251 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• ENG 101 - Rhetoric
• PSYC 101 - General Psychology
• PSYC 215 - Life Span: A Survey of Human Development

Major Core Requirements: 24 Semester Hours

• HEAL 109 - Principles of Normal Nutrition
• NURS 140 - Basic Nursing Procedures
• NURS 150 - Concepts of Nursing Practice I
• NURS 160 - Concepts of Nursing Practice II
• NURS 163 - Pharmacology and the Nursing Process
• NURS 164 - Concepts in Pediatric Nursing

Total Required Hours: 41 Semester Hours