1. High school graduation or GED.
2. Minimum enhanced ACT score of 18 or 12 hours of college credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
3. One year of high school biology and chemistry, or appropriate college courses completed within the last five years with a minimum grade of C.
4. Complete the Oakton composition assessment test and place into EGL 101, or show evidence of credit in EGL 101 or its equivalent.
5. Complete the Oakton reading assessment test (DRP) with a score of 65 or higher.
6. Complete the National League for Nursing RN Pre-Admission Test with a composite score in the 60th percentile or higher and a verbal score in the 50th percentile or higher.
7. High school grade point average of 2.5 or better (or a minimum of 12 college semester credit hours with a GPA of 2.5 or better, whichever is most recent).
8. Complete a Basic Nurse Assistance course (e.g., BNA100) and be certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
9. Complete a two-credit Mathematics for Allied Health course (MAT102) with a grade of A or take the proficiency test and score at least 90 percent.

First year students who meet all minimum requirements are ranked for acceptance to the program.

Conditional Admission
Students meeting all other Nursing prerequisites but having lower than the specified scores on the Verbal section of the NLN Pre-Admission Test may be admitted as "conditional students: (priority is given to in-district students). Space is limited to 20 students. Additional requirements are: completion of BIO 131 and 132, and a NLN verbal score of 30-49. Students are admitted by ranking and required to complete an 8-week summer program prior to entry in the fall Nursing Program.

LPN Admission
Licensed practical nurses who already meet the above prerequisites are given advance placement and eligible for admission after:

1. Successful completion of all first level support courses (BIO 131, PSY 211 or PSY 120, BIO 113 or equivalent), all with a grade of C or better.
2. Scoring at least 65 percent on the Nursing Mobility Profile I examination;
3. Submission of a certificate indicating completion of an approved pharmacology course (or BIO 111) and must be administering medications;
4. Providing evidence of at least 6 months of clinical experience as a licensed practical nurse in a health care setting within the last five years;
5. Showing verification of residency; and
6. Successful completion of NUR 153.

All students who are LPNs applying for the advance placement and who meet the LPN requirements listed above, or are seeking readmission to the program, are granted an interview with the program chair and/or committee. The interview is designed to clarify applicant questions and help determine applicant motivation toward and understanding of the nursing profession. Admission status is determined after the interview.

All students admitted to the program must submit a current and complete physical examination and proof of medical insurance coverage.

Advance placement students must also document having a current CPR certificate.

Health Career curricula are governed by specific objectives, rules and regulations formulated by the College, accrediting bodies and participating clinical facilities. Students should familiarize themselves with these standards. Students should also be aware that failure to maintain satisfactory progress in nursing courses may significantly delay completion of the curriculum or may result in the student being dropped from the curriculum. Each student’s right to participation in the clinical portion of the curriculum is also contingent upon compliance with the rules of the clinical facility. The clinical facility has sole discretion to determine when its rules have been violated.

All courses must be completed prior to or during the semesters indicated below. All NUR and science courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.

Clinical placement may require a health assessment, certain immunizations, substance abuse testing, specific skill certification (i.e., CPR) and health insurance. The requirements represent an additional program cost to the student.

NUR 151, LPN Option, a five credit hour course offered during the summer session, must be completed by the student who enters the program with the intention of becoming a licensed practical nurse. It is required for students who entered as "conditional students" and is optional for other students in the program. The availability of NUR 151 is contingent upon sufficient enrollment for the course.

NUR 153, Introduction to Registered Nursing for the Licensed Practical Nurse, is required for LPNs seeking advance placement into the Nursing Program.

Nursing courses are offered in specific semesters only. The Nursing courses also build on certain support courses. Therefore, accepted students must complete the course sequence listed below, unless general education and science courses are taken prior to entering the Nursing program.

Fall semester:
BIO 111, BIO 113, BIO 131, NUR 103, NUR 104, PSY 120 or PSY 211

Spring semester:
BIO 132, NUR 105, NUR 106, NUR 108, elective from humanities, NUR 153 (for LPNs), NUR 155, NUR160

Summer session:
NUR 151 (optional)

Fall semester:
BIO 151, EGL 101, NUR 207, NUR 212, NUR260

Spring semester:
EGL 102 or SPE 103, ANT 202, NUR 208, NUR 209, NUR 210, NUR 211

For more information, contact the chair Sandra Kubala, 847-635-1720 or skubala@oakton.edu.