Associate Degree Nursing (0050)
The Program's mission is to prepare nurses to work in a multicultural, multiracial, diversified metropolitan industrial area that is surrounded by rural communities. The purpose of the ADN Program at Richland Community College is to prepare competent, caring, and critically thinking graduates for entry-level positions in a variety of healthcare settings and to encourage commitment to personal and professional growth.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students receive an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and are eligible to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates who successfully complete the examination and meet all other state requirements (including a criminal background check) are able to work as registered nurses. Some courses may not transfer to four-year institutions, but transfer opportunities exist for students wanting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Accreditation and Program Approval
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Sample Job Titles
Nurse, Registered Nurse (RN), Professional Registered Nurse
Nursing positions are available throughout the United States as well as internationally. Nurses care for people in hospitals, schools, clinics, corporations, homes, wellness centers, or anywhere people need health care services. Areas of nursing practice include pediatric, geriatric, obstetrics, intensive care, emergency care, mental health, oncology, orthopedic, case management, and medical-surgical.
Articulated AAS Degree Programs
Articulated programs are designed for Richland students who intend to transfer to another institution to complete a four-year degree after earning an associate in applied science degree at Richland.
Success Coaches and other staff in the Student Success Center provide extensive transfer information on Richland’s associate in applied science degree transfer curriculum articulated agreements with various baccalaureate institutions.
Benedictine University (3+1)
Eastern Illinois University – RN to BSN
Illinois State University – dual enrollment or pre-admission to RN to BSN
Indiana Wesleyan University – RN to BSN
University of Illinois, Chicago (3+1)
Selective Admission Requirements
Admission into the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program is selective and competitive and admission into Richland Community College does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Students must meet the minimum admission criteria to be eligible to apply. Once the criteria have been met, students are scored on a rubric, and the students with the highest scores are offered conditional admission.
The ADN Program follows the Health Professions' selective admissions process. Students use the online Pre-Advisement Plan on myRichland to apply during the designated application period. For spring admissions, applications are accepted between August 1 to September 1. For fall admissions, applications are accepted between January 2 and February 1. Out-of-district applicants are considered for the program when space is available.
Transferring from Another Institution
Students who have completed nursing core courses at another institution may be eligible to transfer into the ADN Program. To receive transfer credit for courses completed at another institution, official transcripts must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Transfer credit for nursing core courses is based upon successful completion of equivalent coursework, standardized tests for appropriate courses, and available space. Students are responsible for the costs of any standardized tests. All admission and graduation requirements must be met in order to graduate from the ADN Program including a minimum of two semesters of core nursing courses completed at Richland. All required forms, transcripts, and supportive documentation must be received by September 1st to be considered for spring admission and by February 1 for fall admission.
Prerequisites to Apply
- Listed in good standing on the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry as an active CNA or provide evidence of current enrollment in a CNA training program with a test date prior to the start of the semester for which the student is applying.
- High school biology (2 years) and high school chemistry/physics (1 year) with a 'B' or better within the last 3 years or completed BIOL 101 with a 'C' or better. Students who have completed BIOL 201, BIOL 202, or BIOL 220 must have completed one within the last 5 years.
- Completed 10 credit hours of ADN Program courses or high school GPA of at least 2.5 AND ACT scores (within the last 3 years) with composite 21, science reasoning 20, and no score below 15 OR SAT scores (within the last 3 years) with Analysis of Science (20) and minimum Total Score (980).
- Completed all prerequisites and ADN Program courses with a 'C' or better and a Program GPA or 2.5 or better.
The ADN Program GPA is calculated using grades and credits earned in completed ADN Program courses. Program courses that can be completed prior to admission include BIOL 201, BIOL 202, BIOL 220, ENGL 101, and PSYCH 110. Richland and transfer credits are used in calculating the ADN Program GPA.
Curriculum Requirements
Graduation Requirements
Total Credit Hours: 63 credit hours in courses numbered 100 or above.
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)" 2.0 ('C') or better for all work applicable toward the degree.
- Residency: 15 credit hours or more at Richland Community College.
- Course Requirement: 'C' or better in all prerequisite and Program courses.
- Meet the standards of the ANA Code of Ethics, Richland Academic Integrity Policy, Richland Student Conduct Policy, and the Health Professions Standards of Conduct.
Additional Program Considerations
All Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees include a required minimum of 15 general education credits. Students must earn a grade of 'C' or better in the Program prerequisites, core curriculum courses, and general education courses.
Required Courses - Start Fall 2023
Suggested Course Sequence - Start Fall 2023
First Semester
Second Semester
| BIOL 202 | Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 | 4.0 |
| NURS 154 | Pharmacological Principles for Nursing Practice | 3.0 |
| NURS 162 | Mental Health Nursing | 5.5 |
| NURS 165 | Medical-Surgical Nursing I | 5.5 |
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
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Phone: 217.875.7200, ext 6267
Email: admissions@richland.edu