Registered Nursing, AAS

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Program Overview

MCC’s Nursing Program prepares students to be professional nurses in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes and offices. The MCC Nursing Program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Examination (NCLEX-RN®), which may lead to licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN).

For more information, visit: www.mchenry.edu/adn

Admission Requirements

A grade of C or higher is required for all general education and support courses: BIO 255 , BIO 263 and BIO 264 , ENG 151 , HCE 110 , HCE 111 , HFE 250 , PSY 151 , PSY 250 , and SPE 151 (or equivalent courses). BIO 263 and BIO 264 (or equivalent) must have been completed within five years of acceptance into the Nursing Program. A refresher course is available for students who have taken BIO 263 and BIO 264 more than five years ago and received a grade of C or higher. Please contact the director of Nursing if interested.
The cumulative GPA of the prerequisite courses must be at least 2.5.
MAT 099 , or MAT 020 and MAT 120 , or a college algebra course with a C or higher, or placement into MAT 161 on the Math Placement Exam is required.
Applicant must complete the preadmission testing (TEAS). Test dates and procedures will be posted on the MCC website at www.mchenry.edu/adn.
Applicant must be a Certified Nursing Assistant with documentation of good standing on the Illinois Health Care Worker registry (formerly CNA registry). This documentation can be found on the registry website at www.hcwbc.idphnet.com/BgChecks. Public/Search.aspx.
Preference is given to residents of McHenry County College District #528.

NOTE: All admission requirements must be complete or in progress in order to apply to the Nursing Program. Please contact an academic advisor with any questions.

Admission Process

All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a nursing student information session. These are generally scheduled monthly. Dates are posted on the nursing website www.mchenry.edu/adn.

Individuals must have an MCC student ID number to apply to the Nursing Program. If an applicant has never attended MCC as a credit student, a MCC Admissions Form and a $15 fee must be submitted online at www.mchenry.edu/apply or at the Registration Office, Room A258.
Students should complete and submit the AAS in Nursing Program application. This application is available in the Nursing Program office, Room E212, or on MCC’s website www.mchenry.edu/adn.
The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on April 15. The completed Nursing application and the documentation of good standing on the Illinois Health Care Worker registry must be returned to the Nursing department secretary in Room E212.
If any general education or support courses were taken at another institution, an official transcript from that college must be submitted to the Admissions Office with a request for it to be reviewed for the Nursing Program. It is highly recommended that official transcripts and evaluation requests be submitted by October 15.
Preadmission testing dates and procedures will be published on the website www.mchenry.edu/adn. It is the student’s responsibility to watch for these dates and to register to test through the Testing Center, Room A245. A non-refundable fee must be paid at the time of testing registration. To do well on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) students should have completed most of the supportive courses, especially the science courses, prior to testing. The TEAS may be taken twice. The last score will be used in the application process. Study guides are available in the bookstore. The study guide and online practice tests may also be purchased online at www.atitesting.com/onlinestore. No other nursing preadmission exam scores are considered.
Students who are not accepted into the program must reapply for the following year. MCC does not maintain a waiting list.

Factors Influencing Acceptance into the Program

The number of students admitted into the Nursing Program each fall is limited; therefore, admission is extremely competitive. The screening process is designed to select the most academically qualified students and takes into consideration the TEAS score plus the cumulative GPA in the general education and support courses. All general education and support courses must be completed prior to admission into the program.

Students are required to show proof of current American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Providers certification.

A recent physical exam, proof of current immunizations, two-step TB test, drug screen and background check documentation are also required. The medical form and details about the drug screening and background check are distributed at Nursing orientation. Students are also required to show proof of individual health insurance coverage throughout the duration of the nursing program.

Notification of Acceptance

Students are notified by mail of their acceptance into the Nursing Program. They must complete and return an acceptance agreement within two weeks of receiving notification. Letters are sent to all applicants.

Program Costs

While many costs associated with the Nursing Program are incorporated into course fees, students should anticipate buying a uniform, a stethoscope, an analog watch with a second hand, and many books, among other things, during the first semester. The costs are by far the greatest in the first and last semesters. First semester costs including books, uniforms, stethoscope and supplies will cost approximately $1,000. The last semester expenses include the licensing exam cost of nearly $300 and other costs associated with graduation.

Clinicals

Clinicals are scheduled in or near McHenry County. Reliable personal transportation to the clinical site is required. Clinical times and days vary from semester to semester. Students may be required to arrive at the clinical site by 6:30 a.m. or earlier or attend an afternoon clinical that may not dismiss until 9:00 p.m. or later. Clinical days, times and locations cannot be guaranteed.

Scholarships

There are several scholarships available to Nursing students only. Students may learn more about scholarships at the Financial Aid Office in Room A258 or at www.mchenry.edu/scholarships.

LPN to RN Bridge Program

The LPN to RN Bridge program allows current Illinois licensed practical nurses the opportunity for educational advancement and licensure as a Registered Nurse. LPN bridge students must complete the same prerequisites as students who enter the RN program. LPN bridge students must take NUR 125 as a prerequisite course within a year of entering the RN program. Upon successful completion of NUR 125 with a grade of C or higher, students may apply to the RN program. Students accepted into the RN program will receive 4 credit hours of advanced standing for their Illinois LPN license. After successful completion of NUR 125 and acceptance into the nursing program, students will enroll in NUR 130 .

For more information, visit: www.mchenry.edu/lpn

The primary purpose of an Associate in Applied Science degree is to prepare students for employment. The AAS degree is not designed specifically for transfer; however, there are opportunities to apply some coursework or the whole degree to a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, see an academic advisor and the department chair.