Practical Nursing Program

Practical Nursing Programs Admission Special Requirements and Policies
Accreditation/Approval Process
Pre-application Process
Application Process
Acceptance Process

The Practical Nursing (PN) Program provides students with a basic knowledge of nursing theory and practice. It prepares nursing graduates to take the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Practical nurses are employed in a variety of settings such as long term care facilities, ambulatory care settings and hospitals. The practical nurse functions as an integral member of the health care team, reporting to the registered nurse. This is a full time program, with some classes being offered online.

Practical Nursing Programs Admission Special Requirements and Policies

BIO 115 or BIO185/186 must be completed with a C or better within the last 5 years to be eligible for admission to the Practical Nursing Program. Prior to the completion of the Practical Nursing Certificate, all students will be required to take a standardized exit test and pass with a score or 800 or better, before receiving their application for the NCLEX (national licensure examination)

Accreditation/Approval Process

The Practical Nursing Program (PN) is accredited by the:

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Telephone (212) 363-5555
Web site: www.nlnac.org

The program is approved by the:

State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
320 W. Washington
Springfield, IL 62786
Telephone: (217) 785-0800
Web site: www.idfpr.com

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to take various licensure exams (see above).

Pre-application Process

Prior to receiving an application to the PN Program the student is required to:

submit a South Suburban College application to Admissions.
forward official high school or GED and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions.
complete the college placement test. See the college catalog for details. (should be done prior to meeting with counselor).
complete required college preparatory classes as indicated by the college placement test.
meet with a nursing counselor (x2306) for assistance in academic planning.
provide evidence of a nursing assistant certification.
complete or be currently enrolled in the following admission requirements with a “C” or better:
  BIO 115 - Human Body Structure*
  ENG 101 - Composition and Rhetoric
  NUR 101 - Medication Dosage Calculation.

* BIO 185 & 186 can be used in place of BIO 115. Biology courses must be current and successfully completed no earlier than 5 years of acceptance into the Nursing Program.

Application Process

After completion of the above requirements the applicant is required to:

make an appointment with a nursing counselor (x2306) to obtain an PN application form. Counselors will provide applications after students complete the above requirements and/or while students are enrolled in their final admission requirements. Applications for Fall will be available after November 15.
submit the completed PN application with attachments to the Department of Nursing Office, Room 4120. All information must be on file by April 1. Students are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline.
obtain a permit to register for the standardized preadmission nursing entrance examination from the Department of Nursing when the application is submitted. Applicants must test on one of the established testing dates in the SSC Testing Center. Entrance examination is at students’ expense.

The Admissions Committee reviews all applications to the PN Program. Residents of South Suburban College’s District will be given first priority for admission into the program. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to the program.

All students will be notified in writing of their admission status by the end of June.

All Practical Nursing students, prior to graduation will be required to take a standardized exit test and pass with a score of 800 or better to receive their application for the NCLEX (National Licensure Examination).

Students who do not achieve this score will be required to take a remediation course and then retest until the 800 score is achieved.

The PN program is a full-time curriculum. All courses are offered during the day. Some courses are offered in the evening. PN students are admitted only in the Fall semester.
Nursing programs are academically rigorous. Students are advised to carefully limit the number of hours they intended to work while enrolled in Nursing classes. It is strongly recommended that all Nursing students complete all General Education (non-Nursing) courses before entering either program to maximize success. All General Education and Nursing courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
It is strongly recommended that all nursing students complete all General Education (non-nursing) courses before entering either program to maximize success. All General Education and Nursing courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Students are required to provide their own transportation to classes and clinical sites.
Math 095 and/or Reading 105 may be required prior to admission for students with low pre-admission testing scores.
Students are encouraged to meet with a nursing counselor regularly as they progress through the admission requirements. Counseling appointments are made at ext. 2306.

For more information, please contact the Nursing Department
or call (708) 596-2000 ext. 2260