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. In-district students are accepted into the program before out-of-district students. 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.

Once admitted, students need to successfully complete four semesters of nursing courses and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to qualify for a 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 complete the nursing program nor earn an Associate Degree in Nursing.

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 of application. These courses can be in progress at the application deadline.

All nursing students are required to complete a background check conducted through a company selected by the college. In-district students are accepted into the program before out-of-district students. 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.

*Placement tests are only valid for 18 months from the test date. If the placement test results are low, student will need to pass the remedial classes with a "C" grade or higher and complete the required math remedial courses before applying.

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.

*Placement tests are only valid for 18 months from the test date. If the placement test results are low, student will need to pass the remedial classes with a "C" grade or higher and complete the required English and/or Reading remedial courses before applying.

TEAS Results must be submitted with your application. TEAS results are only valid for one year prior to the application deadline. Only 2 TEAS tests may be taken each application cycle. 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 with more emphasis on math and science scores.

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 of application. 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 though CNA certification is not required. 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@airllevant.com.

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 7 courses required below must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to graduate from the Nursing program.  BIO119 and PSY104 are pre-requisites and must be completed with a “C” or better before beginning the nursing program.

Ranking

Your rank score is determined by:

Moraine Valley Community College Notification of Clinical Health Requirements

Moraine Valley Community College partners with healthcare facilities to provide clinical experiences for its students.  These facilities prescribe various health requirements for all students who are placed at their clinical sites.  Students who intend to participate in the clinical component of any program must submit documentation reflecting their compliance with the following clinical health requirements[1] prior to the deadline established by their program of study.

1. Measles (Rubeola) Titer
2. Mumps Titer
3. Rubella Titer
4. Varicella (Chicken Pox) Titer
5. Hepatitis B Titer
6. QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test Annually
7. Tdap Vaccine every 10 years
8. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Annually
9. COVID-19 Vaccination
10. Physical Exam by Healthcare Professional
11. American Heart Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Professionals every 2 years
12. Background Check Annually
13. Drug Screen Annually (medical marijuana cards are not accepted)
14. Medical Health Insurance – Upload Card Annually

Unless otherwise indicated, in writing, by a student's assigned clinical site, all of the above health requirements must be met before the student may participate in a clinical rotation.

A student who fails to timely submit documentation by set compliance deadlines reflecting compliance with the clinical health requirements listed above may be unable to participate in the required clinical component of their program in a timely manner, and their graduation may be delayed.  The College cannot guarantee clinical placements for students who fail to satisfy all clinical health requirements by the set compliance deadlines.

Inquiries regarding the College’s clinical health requirements may be directed to Ms. Debi Savage MSN, RN-Director of Nursing via (708) 974-5586 or savaged25@airllevant.com.

[1] This list of clinical health requirements is subject to change based upon the policies of the clinical facilities.  Students will be notified, in writing, of any modifications to the list of clinical health requirements.

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 will incur include books, computer-based programs, uniforms, medical health insurance, current American Heart Association CPR for Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals certification, history and physical, vaccinations including COVID-19 and influenza, titer blood tests, background check, drug screen, stethoscope, watch with a second-hand, bandage scissors, penlight, 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 after being admitted to the Moraine Valley nursing program. 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.

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 $95 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.

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 on your TEAS results report. 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 purchase from their website.

Applicants may take the TEAS test up to twice each application cycle. No third test retakes in one application cycle will be allowed. If student pays for a TEAS test and it is found to be their third retake that cycle, the testing appointment will be canceled and there will not be a refund of the fee to the student for this canceled appointment. Applicants may only take the TEAS test up to twice each application cycle – no exceptions, no refunds.

Remediation and tutoring between test taking attempt is encouraged. Your test results are broken down into categories under each testing area on your TEAS results report. This will help you to identify where remediation is necessary.

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

Tutoring

Our tutoring department offers TEAS tutoring on Math, Science, and English. Bring your TEAS test studying materials with you to an appointment with your tutor.

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

If you are not currently a student, then call or email the tutoring department at (708) 974-5746 or tutoringcenter@airllevant.com.

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN). They are located at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326.

ADN Student Achievement Outcomes