Nursing

Nursing is a career that is both in high demand and rewarding. In our program, you learn to deliver nursing care to people of all ages using principles of the biological, physical and behavioral sciences. You study how to assess the needs of patients as well as how to make judgments in planning, implementing and evaluating appropriate nursing care.

Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons, including an increased emphasis on preventive care; growing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population, as they live longer and more active lives; and nurses transferring to different occupations or exiting the labor force such as to retire.  Over the next ten years, Illinois is estimated to need more than 19,100 additional RNs, a projected employment growth of 15% nearly triple the rate for other occupations in Illinois.

Sources
U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
Illinois Nursing Workforce Center

Moraine Valley Community College’s Nursing program has a selective and competitive admission process. Students are required to complete a background screening, drug screening, physical exam, and required vaccinations (including COVID-19) and blood tests upon acceptance into the nursing program and stay compliant throughout the nursing program. COVID-19 vaccination is required prior to beginning the program.

Once admitted, students need to successfully complete four semesters of nursing courses and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to receive the Registered Nurse (RN) license.

Clinical affiliates set the nursing program policy regarding health requirements. To participate in clinical, all health requirements must remain up to date and complete at all times. If you fail to comply with the clinical affiliate’s requirements, you will be unable to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing.

All nursing students are required to complete a background check conducted through a company selected by the college.  Students are responsible for paying the background check fee. If you have a felony conviction of any kind and have questions on whether you can obtain a license in Illinois, we highly recommend contacting the IDFPR at (888) 473-4858. More information can be found here.

Get Started

The first step is to enroll at Moraine Valley. We recommend students talk to an academic advisor to discuss the admission requirements and application process for the program and develop an educational plan. If you completed college credit at another college or university, please bring transcripts with you. Please note that incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.

Application Checklist

Next, complete the Nursing Application Form. Below, you will find details on the basic requirements and documents you need to complete a successful application.

­­­­Math requirement is met by one of the following:

• Test into college-level math determined by Moraine placement test.
• ACT score in Math of 20 or higher OR SAT score of 520 or higher.
• Completion of MTH096 or MTH098 with a grade of “C” or higher at Moraine.
• Previous college-level math credit with a grade of “D” or higher.

English requirement is met by one of the following

• Test into college level for both English and Reading determined by Moraine placement test.
• ACT score in English and Reading of 19 or higher OR SAT score of 480 or higher.
• Completion of all developmental levels in English and Reading at Moraine.
• Previous college-level English composition credit with a grade of “C” or higher.

TEAS Results must be submitted with your application. TEAS results are only valid for one year prior to the application deadline. Review the TEAS information on this Nursing program webpage.

• The qualifying score is the average score of the four testing areas (adjusted individual total score) of 60 percent or higher.

Admission to the program depends on successful completion of HSC-150, BIO-119, and PSY-104 with a grade of “C” or higher by the end of the semester. These courses can be in progress at the application deadline.

Admission requirement: All nursing student applicants must successfully complete the Basic Nurse Assistant course with a “C” grade or better by the end of the semester of application. The Basic Nurse Assistant certification can be in progress at the time of application. Please speak to an Academic Advisor for course planning and any questions you might have.

An official sealed high school or high school equivalency transcript must be submitted. Your current transcript must show either the graduation date or the ongoing student status. The high school equivalency report must show passing scores.

College transcripts (if applicable) need to be submitted and be official, sealed college transcripts; electronic transcripts directly from the college or a transcript service are accepted. If you took your required general education classes at Moraine, no transcript is needed. The records department will evaluate these transcripts and notify the applicant by their student email of the decision.

Please submit proof of acceptable certification/license for ranking score if applicable (see below for ranking process and admissible certifications).

Documents to prove residency must also be included. Students must have a permanent U.S. Social Security Number. Priority admission is given to in-district students. Out-of-district students are encouraged to apply but are considered after all in-district students have been ranked.

You can submit completed applications with all required documents by the application deadline to the Records Department in Building S, Room 111 or by emailing them to records@morainevalley.edu.

General Education

For a comprehensive list of the general education courses for the program, please see below. Students are encouraged to discuss an educational plan with an academic advisor.

All courses required for graduation from the Nursing program must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Ranking

Your rank score is determined by:

Licensure RN

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.

The Moraine Valley Nursing program meets the state education requirements to apply for the NCLEX-RN board exam and to apply for a Registered Nursing license in the state of Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College has not determined if the Associate in Applied Science Nursing program meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.

Optional LPN licensure

Upon successful completion of the first year and completion of the nursing elective NUR-165, students are eligible and have the option to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This is an option embedded in the Moraine Valley A.A.S. program.

The Moraine Valley Nursing program meets the state education requirements to apply for the NCLEX-PN board exam and to apply for a Licensed Practical Nurse license in the state of Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College has not determined if the curriculum for the first year of the RN program and the elective course NUR-165 meet the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia for LPN licensure there.

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Springfield grants licensure for licensed practical nurses. Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-PN exam, graduates may apply to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for Licensed Practical Nurse licensure.

Additional Expenses

The additional expenses a nursing student incur include books, computer-based programs, uniforms, liability, and health insurance, current CPR for Basic Life Support for Healthcare

Professionals through the American Heart Association certification, history and physical, vaccinations including COVID-19, blood tests, background check, drug screen, and practice lab kits.

Furthering your education

While most B.S.N. completion programs accept A.A.S. graduates, upon completion of the nursing program and RN licensure, many Illinois colleges and universities provide seamless agreements into a Bachelor of Science (B.S.N.) program, commonly called a RN-BSN completion program.

Moraine Valley has a dual enrollment agreement with University of St. Francis (USF) in Joliet where students admitted to the Moraine Valley nursing program can apply for this dual enrollment program with the University.  While in the Moraine Valley nursing program, students may take USF classes online and graduate with their B.S.N degree in as little as one to two semesters after graduating from the Moraine Valley nursing program.  See the Dual Enrollment link on this webpage.

If you are considering transferring to a four-year college or university using the courses from this program, make an appointment with an academic advisor to review your options.

While most B.S.N. completion programs accept A.D.N. graduates, it is important to know more about the requirements of your chosen transfer institution at the beginning of your college experience.

The Moraine Valley Gamma Pi Chapter of the OADN Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society recognizes the academic excellence of students in the study of Associate Degree Nursing. The society encourages the pursuit of advance degrees in the profession of nursing as well as continuing education as a life-long professional responsibility.

Provisional membership is offered to students after the first two semesters who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all general education courses, and have earned a B or better in each nursing class with no previous failures. Full membership is granted upon completion of all fourth semester classes if the student’s cumulative GPA for all general education courses remains 3.0 or above, and has earned a B or better in each nursing class with no previous failures; and completes a capstone project approved by the Gamma Pi faculty advisors. In addition, students must also demonstrate conduct on and off campus and in the clinical areas that reflects integrity and professionalism.

Moraine Valley's LPN-RN Transition program has a selective and competitive admission process.

The program's two-step application process is below. Once complete, accepted students can enroll in the one-semester 8 credit hour LPN-RN Transition course (NUR-199).  You need to complete the transition course with a C or better before starting the Nursing program in the third semester.

After admission into the Nursing program, students need to complete the last two semesters of nursing courses and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam to receive the Registered Nurse (RN) certification.

Beginning Your LPN-RN Transition

It is recommended that applicants talk with an academic advisor to discuss the admission requirements. An advisor can help you through the application process and develop an educational plan. If you completed college credit at another college or university, you will need to submit your transcripts. If you took your required general education classes at Moraine, no transcript is needed.

College transcripts (if applicable) need to be submitted and be official, sealed college transcripts; electronic transcripts directly from the college or a transcript service are accepted. If you took your required general education classes at Moraine, no transcript is needed. The records department will evaluate these transcripts and notify the applicant by their student email of the decision.

Application deadlines

The LPN to RN application deadline is October 15, 2023, for the program start date of Spring 2024. Mandatory Nursing Orientation and Mandatory Nursing Bootcamp dates will be posted when available.

Step One

All items on the following list must be completed before the application is submitted. Incomplete applications are not accepted. Students cannot move on to Step 2 until finished. Click on the following link to print out the LPN-RN Transition application form.

• Complete Moraine Valley's admission process
• Applicants must provide documentation of at least six months of working experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse providing direct patient care within one year of the application deadline. Proof of letter from the employer which list job description is needed.
• Submit official sealed college transcripts or electronic transcripts directly from the college or a transcript service (if applicable).  Transcripts will be reviewed by the records department and applicant will be emailed to their student email the decision.

Math requirement is met by one of the following:

• Test into college-level math determined by MVCC placement test
• ACT score in Math of 20 or higher OR SAT score of 520 or higher
• Completion of MTH096 or MTH098 with a grade of “C” or higher at MVCC
• Previous college-level math credit with a grade of “D” or higher.

English requirement is met by one of the following

• Test into college level for both English and Reading determined by MVCC placement test.
• ACT score in English and Reading of 19 or higher OR SAT score of 480 or higher
• Completion of all developmental levels in English and Reading at MVCC
• Previous college-level English composition credit with a grade of “C” or higher.

Other Requirements

• Completion of BIO 180 with a grade of “C” or better before the application deadline in the last 5 years.

• The following courses can be in progress at the application deadline. Admission to the program is pending on the successful completion of these courses with a “C” or better at the end of the semester of application: PSY-104, BIO-181, BIO-119. There is a 5-year time limit on BIO-180, BIO-181, and BIO-119.

• For a comprehensive list of the general education courses for the LPN-RN Transition program, please see below. All courses required for graduation from the Nursing program must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
• Submit proof of active, unencumbered Illinois LPN license.
• Submit official sealed high school or high school equivalency transcripts. The current transcript must show either the graduation date or the ongoing student status. The high school equivalency report must show passing scores.
• Submit official sealed college transcripts (if applicable). Transcripts must be accompanied by a transfer evaluation request.
• Documents to prove residency. A permanent U.S. Social Security number is an application requirement. Priority admission is given to in-district students. Out-of-district students are encouraged to apply but are given consideration after all in-district students are ranked.
• Complete the LPN-RN Transition Program application form and submit it with all required documentation attached to the Records Department, located in Building S, Room S111 or email scanned application and documents to records@morainevalley.edu by the deadlines.

Step Two

Once Step 1 is complete, qualified students receive an email in their Moraine Valley account with detailed instructions on the KAPLAN test. Email instructions for Step 2 are only sent after completion of Step 1.

• Students must complete the KAPLAN test at Moraine Valley. Test results from other testing facilities are not accepted.
• The fee for the test is $50. (This fee is subject to change.)
• The minimum acceptable score is 55 percent.
• Students can take the test once per application period. The test expires after one year.
• Instructions on test location and further details are sent to qualifying students by email

Ranking Process

Applicants are accepted and ranked based on the score of the KAPLAN entrance exam.

Notification

Students are notified about acceptance into the program by the first week of May for fall admission. Notifications are sent the first week of December for spring admission. This notification includes further information about a mandatory orientation and a mandatory boot camp for students admitted into the program.

Tiebreaker

If a tiebreaker is needed it is based on the date and time the completed application was received in person or by email.

Please be aware that the required transition course, NUR 199, 8 credit hours, will ­­NOT be eligible for financial aid. The remainder of the third and fourth-semester nursing program courses for the LPN/RN transition program should be financial aid eligible. Please contact the Financial Aid Office in room S107 (708-974-5726) if you have any questions about the above information.

Gainful Employment Disclosures – 2022

Program Name: Licensed Practical Nurse - Certificate

This program is designed to be completed in 12 months.

This program will cost $9,000 if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting but may have changed.

Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with N/A* of debt.

*Fewer than 10 students completed this program within normal time. This number has been withheld to preserve the confidentiality of the students.

The program meets licensure requirements in the following state: Illinois

The program qualifies students to sit for the licensure exam in the following state: Illinois

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here.

The TEAS test is the admission exam for Moraine Valley's Nursing program and is issued by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI).

The TEAS test may be taken at any authorized testing center in person. Moraine Valley is an authorized testing center. Online testing is not accepted.

The areas of testing are written at a 12th grade level and consist of four areas: Reading and Comprehension, Writing, Science, Math. Prospective Nursing students must achieve an average score of the four testing areas (adjusted individual total score) of 60 percent or higher. The scores for Math and Science will be the most important part of the total score for ranking purposes.

TEAS scores are good for 12 months.

Taking the TEAS

To schedule a day and time to take the TEAS test you must go to the Testing Services website at and click Schedule an Exam to schedule a test date for your TEAS exam and pay the $73.00 testing fee.

Additional Help

For ATI test information, preparation and/or remediation resources please visit the ATI website.

Our library has TEAS test preparation materials available.

If you are taking the online version, a four-function drop-down calculator is built into the exam (multiplication, addition, subtraction, and division).

Re-Test Procedures

It is strongly recommended that you wait 10 days to study and review before retesting. Your test results are broken down into categories under each testing area. This will help you to identify what topics you need to review. There are TEAS test review books in the library and ATI has resources you can go to their website to purchase.

Remediation between test taking attempts is encouraged. Your test results are broken down into categories under each testing area. This will help you to identify where remediation is necessary.

When submitting your application, you choose which test result you want to include in your application packet.

Tutoring

Our tutoring department offers TEAS tutoring on Math and English. To use the services you MUST present an orange tutoring passport, which can be picked up in Room B150. Directions on how to use the services are on the passport.

If you are currently a student, schedule your tutoring appointment online.

If you are not currently a student, obtain your orange pass and then call or email the tutoring department at (708) 974-5746 or tutoringcenter@morainevalley.edu.

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). They are located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 or by phone at (404) 975-5000.

ADN Student Achievement Outcomes