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Students learn to deliver nursing care to people of all ages using principles of the biological, physical and behavioral sciences, plus study how to assess nursing care needs of patients and how to make judgments in planning, implementing and evaluating appropriate nursing care. This two-year program starts in either the fall or spring of each year and continues for a total of four consecutive semesters, excluding summer. The Nursing Program conducts a rigorous curriculum of lectures, labs and clinicals. Clinicals are conducted on site at a variety of hospitals during the day time or evening with no flexibility in scheduling. Therefore, holding a full-time job while in the program may affect student success and is not recommended. However, general education classes are available morning, afternoon or evening, and can be completed part-time, if necessary. The additional expenses a nursing student will incur include: uniforms, liability health insurance and current CPR certification. This program is intended to lead to employment. Students considering transferring to a four-year college or university using the courses from this program should make an appointment with an academic advisor to review options. Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (B.S.N.) completion programs usually accept Associate degree in nursing (A.D.N.) graduates. Students should check specific admission guidelines for the schools under consideration. Nature of Work—Nurses are responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the care of patients in a variety of health care settings. Nursing involves interpersonal processes in which preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative measures are provided to individuals with health concerns. Related Job Title—Registered Nurse Employment Outlook—Job opportunities for RNs in all specialties are expected to be excellent. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2014, and, because the occupation is very large, many new jobs will result. In fact, registered nurses are projected to create the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations. Thousands of job openings also will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation, especially as the median age of the registered nurse population continues to rise. Much faster-than-average growth will be driven by technological advances in patient care, which permit a greater number of medical problems to be treated, and by an increasing emphasis on preventive care. In addition, the number of older people, who are much more likely than younger people to need nursing care, is projected to grow rapidly. The U.S. Department of Labor—Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median annual earnings of registered nurses were $52,330 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $43,370 and $63,360. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,760. Many employers offer flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits, and bonuses. For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Placement Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, T904 at (708) 974-5737. www.morainevalley.edu/jpc Licensure—Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Springfield grants licensure for registered nurses. Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam, graduates may apply to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for Registered Nurse licensure. Graduating from an accredited nursing program guarantees the right to apply to write for the licensing exam. Accreditation—Moraine Valley’s Nursing Program is accredited by the National league for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), and approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Department of Vocational Technical Education. National League for
Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLVAC) Admission Requirements—This program has special admission requirements and limited enrollment. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all admissions requirements are met, and all documents and scores are submitted on time. Only complete application files will be reviewed for admission. Contact Academic Advising for more information. Nursing Admissions Process Criteria—Students will be admitted to the nursing program through a weighted score made up of three factors: cumulative high school or college GPA; number of college credit hours completed; and grades in specified course work. Points for various criteria will be given according to the chart below. Students also will be required to meet the current minimum standards for admission and to list on the application all colleges attended. Students will select one of the following options for calculating their college GPA for admission. Option 1 Option 2 Weighted Factor GPA
Points Number of college
hours Points Course Success
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