Nursing

By studying nursing at Oakton, you benefit from our celebrated faculty, rigorous curriculum and commitment to equity. Oakton's Nursing program was ranked one of the 10 Best Schools in Illinois for Registered Nursing Programs (2023) for its academic quality, passing rates on the NCLEX entrance exam, affordability and reputation.

Since 1984, more than 2,400 students have received an associate of applied science degree in nursing credential from Oakton. Instructional classes and labs for the program typically meet in the Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center, featuring a state-of-the-art nursing simulation hospital and nursing classrooms. Students enrich their learning through the clinical experiences offered in a variety of healthcare settings throughout the community.

Degrees and Certificates

Oakton offers an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) in nursing for students who wish to start a career in nursing. If you plan to pursue a BSN in nursing, consult the Office of Advising, Transitions and Student Success, as well as the transfer institution's catalog. This will help you select courses that will meet both Oakton's and your transfer school's requirements.

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The goal of the Perioperative Nursing Certificate program is to provide individuals with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to provide safe, patient-centered care in the operating environment. This three-hour certificate can be completed in one semester.

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This certificate is only open to students admitted to and enrolled in Oakton's Nursing Program. This is not a standalone program.

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What's Next?

We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.

Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.

99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.

To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.

We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.

Learn more about your options for paying for your education

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As your community college, we serve students from various backgrounds. We aim to make the application process as easy and as clear as possible for everyone.

We can help you get started on a degree or certificate. Applying to Oakton is fast and easy.

Your first step before you begin your studies is filling out an admission application and completing your enrollment process.

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What You Need to Know

Nursing is a limited enrollment program. Students must complete a series of prerequisites in order to be considered for admission to the program.

Fall 2024

  • Fall 2024 applications will be accepted Oct 1, 2023-Feb 14, 2024.
  • Prerequisites for students entering fall 2024 must be completed by Feb 28, 2024.

We are no longer accepting applications for spring 2024.

Call 847.635.1266 with questions or for more information.

Minimum Requirements

  • High school graduation or High School Equivalency Certificate. Foreign high school graduates or students with foreign college credits need to send English-translated copies of their transcripts to Educational Perspectives. Students with foreign college credits should request a catalog match.
  • Official high school and all college transcripts (except Oakton).
  • ACT score of 18 or higher, or SAT score of 960 or higher, or 12 hours of college credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
  • Chemistry (CHM 105 or equivalent) or one year of high school chemistry with lab or equivalent college course completed within the last five years with a minimum grade of C.
  • BIO 231, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, or equivalent college course with lab, within the last five years with a minimum grade of C.
  • EGL 101 placement based on Oakton’s Writing Skills Assessment Test (WSAT), or completion of EGL 101 course or equivalent.
  • HESI Admission Exam taken within the last two years;
    HESI cumulative score: Minimum 75%;
    HESI English composite score: Minimum 80%;
    HESI math score: Minimum 75%;
    HESI science composite score: Minimum 80%;
    Students may take the HESI exam once every 6 months.
    (Register for the HESI exam (Register for the HESI exam online. Go to “Browse Programs, Health Careers, View Health Career Courses, HESI Exam” or register through the Alliance for Lifelong Learning Office.
    Call 847.982.9888 with any questions.
  • Overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • ACT score of 18 or higher, or SAT score of 960 or higher, or 12 hours of college credit.
  • Complete a Basic Nurse Assistant Training (e.g., Oakton’s BNA 100) and pass the Illinois State CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Exam. (Oakton offers a 9 week or 16-week course titled Basic Nursing Training (BNAT).
  • Completion of MAT 070 or a higher-level math course within the last two years or placement above MAT 070 within the last two years.

Students who complete all prerequisites by Feb. 28, 2022, are ranked and accepted by the following criteria:

  • In-district residency;
  • HESI Admission Assessment Exam cumulative Score (minimum 75%);
  • HESI Admission Assessment Exam English composite score (minimum 80%);
  • HESI Admission Assessment Exam math score (minimum 75%);
  • HESI Admission Assessment Exam science composite score (minimum 80%);
  • Cumulative college GPA. After 12 credit hours earned at Oakton, the Oakton GPA takes precedence.

Gateway Admission (fall semester only)

Students meeting all other nursing minimum requirements, but having lower than the specified scores on the English or science composite section of the HESI exam, may be admitted as “conditional students,” with priority given to in-district students. Space is limited. Additional requirements are completion of BIO 232 and an English or science composite score between 70 - 79. Students are admitted by ranking and must complete an eight-week summer program prior to entering the fall nursing program.

Other Requirements

  • Current physical exam
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Meet physical, communicative/cognitive, emotional/psychological criteria

Students who refuse a criminal background check and/or drug screen will not be considered “clear” and will not be authorized to participate in the clinical component of the health career program, necessitating withdrawal from the program at that time. Individual results of student background checks and drug screens are considered confidential. Determination of whether or not a student can participate in the clinical component of a particular health career program will be communicated to the respective program chairs by the background check/drug screen vendor. Students may view their personal results on the vendor’s website.

For more information contact Margaret Gas, nursing chair, at mgas@oakton.edu.

We also recommend that you view an Information Session video below prior to applying.

  • New Oakton students should apply online. Current and returning Oakton students should apply through the applicant dashboard found in the New Student Information section on the home page of their myOakton account.
  • View your Admission Checklist with your New Student Portal, which includes your Admission Checklist and next steps.
  • Submit admission documents, including transcripts (high school, college, AP, military) and proof of residency.
  • Complete all minimum requirements needed for admission.

All applicants must meet with Julie Rosenberg (jmrosenb@oakton.edu), health career specialist.

Clinical placements require a health assessment, certain immunizations, yearly flu vaccine, substance abuse testing, criminal background check, specific skill certification (i.e., CPR) and health insurance. These requirements represent an additional cost to the student.

All Oakton College Health Career students in nursing, physical therapist assistant, medical laboratory technology, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, health information technology, cancer registry management, and medical assistant programs must have "clear" criminal background checks and drug screens in order to participate in any and all clinical components of any health career program courses. See the career programs pages for further details.

To comply with state statutes and clinical affiliation agreements, and to provide a safe environment for students, employees, and patients cared for by students, those accepted into Oakton's health career programs will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening through a company contracted by the College. Health Career students will be charged a fee for this service.

Timelines for completing criminal background checks and drug screens may vary among the various programs. Deadline dates for each program will be provided by the individual department chairs at the time of a student's acceptance into a health career program.

Students without a clear criminal background check and/or clear drug screen will not be allowed to enroll in clinical practicum courses or attend clinical programs. This would further necessitate that the student withdraw from the health career program at that time.

Students who refuse a criminal background check and/or drug screen will not be considered "clear" and will not be authorized to participate in the clinical component of the health career program, necessitating withdrawal from the program at that time.

Individual results of student background checks and drug screens are considered confidential.

Determination of whether or not a student can participate in the clinical component of a particular health career program will be communicated to the respective department chairs by the Background Check/Drug Screen vendor. Students may view their personal results on the vendor's website.

HESI A2 Entrance Exam

The HESI Entrance Exam is used by Nursing Programs nationwide as a tool to help them screen applicants. The test is also referred to as the HESI Admissions Assessment Exam or the HESI A2.

The HESI A2 consists of both an academic portion and a personality portion.

The HESI A2 content exams that Oakton has chosen are:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary and General Knowledge
  • Math
  • Biology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Learning Styles
  • Personality Profiles
  • Critical Thinking

For more information on the content exams Oakton has chosen, and also in order to prepare for the HESI entrance exam, you can access the HESI information page.

Material for preparation:

  • HESI Admission Assessment Exam, Edition 3 or 4
    This book is available for purchase in Oakton’s bookstore and on Amazon.com

Register for the HESI exam online. Go to “Browse Programs, Health Careers, View Health Career Courses, HESI Exam” or register through the Alliance for Lifelong Learning Office (Room 1420  Des Plaines and Room A120, Skokie), or online. Call 847.982.9888 with any questions.

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Oakton College at the Des Plaines campus located in Des Plaines, Illinois is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.975.5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

Oakton’s nursing program is approved by:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Board of Nursing
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62786

Each state and territory has different licensure and certification requirements.  Oakton has researched and/or contacted state licensing authorities to confirm that the program meets the educational requirements leading to professional licensure. Other licensure requirements may include professional certification exams, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc.

Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. As of July 1, 2020, we have determined that individuals that successfully complete LIcensed Practical Nursing Certificate Program curriculum:

Meets the education requirements leading to licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Illinois

Does NOT meet the education requirements For licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: 

We have not made a determination if the program curriculum meets the requirements for licensure/certification in these states and US Territories: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada,New Hampshire, New Jersey,New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

If you intend to practice in any state other than Illinois, you should contact the appropriate licensing agency to independently verify whether Oakton’s program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in a particular state before beginning Oakton’s program. Be aware that state licensure requirements may change from time-to-time and that states may have conditions for licensure in addition to educational requirements.

This information is provided to meet the Disclosure Requirements for Academic Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification.

Year

Oakton ADN Pass Rate

State Pass Rate

National Pass Rate 

Completion Rate (On-time)

Completion Rate (Time and a half)

Job Placement

2020

93%

88%

87%

60%

73%

86%

2021

93%

82%

82%

70%

83%

87%

2022

89%

77%

80%

47%

90%

76%

Meet Your Faculty and Experts

Oakton's professors and lecturers are experts in their fields with advanced degrees and years of real-world experience. 

In addition to classroom learning, students receive support from our panel of expert advisors.

Margaret Gas, Chair
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Lewis University
M.S.N. University of Phoenix
M.P.A. Roosevelt University
mgas@oakton.edu
847.635.1833
Office: Room 107, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Dezrine Dunn
Associate Professor of Nursing
A.D.N. Oakton College
B.S.N. Lewis University
M.S.N. Lewis University
D.N.P. Chamberlain College of Nursing
ddunn@oakton.edu
847.376.7261
Office: Room 202, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Nefize Fejza
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University
D.N.P. Rush University
nfejza@oakton.edu
847.376.7359
Office: Room 206, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Carla Ferguson
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola
M.S.N. Rush University
cferguso@oakton.edu

847.376.7043
Office: Room 205, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Carrie Kelly
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S. DePaul University
ckelly@oakton.edu
847.376.7219
Office: Room 205, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Teresa Kirwan
Assistant Professor of Nursing
BS Boston University
M.S. University of Illinois at Chicago
A. S. N. Harry S. Truman College
M.S.N. Rush University
tkirwan@oakton.edu
847.376.7278
Office: Room 227, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Antoinette Maglione-Solans
Associate Professor of Nursing
A.A. Kendall College
B.S.N. Rush University College of Nursing
M.S.N. Loyola University of Chicago
tsolans@oakton.edu
847.376.7157
Office: Room 260, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Ciaran O'Sullivan, Coordinator
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S. National-Louis University
M.S.N. University of Phoenix
Ed.D., National-Louis University
cosulliv@oakton.edu
847.635.1825
Office: Room 223, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Leandro Resurreccion
Professor of Nursing
B.S. University of Santo Thomas
B.S.N. Aurora University
M.S.N. Lewis University
Ed.D., National-Louis University
lresurre@oakton.edu
847.376.7213
Office: Room 223, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Debbie Schiltz
Associate Professor of Nursing
A.A.S. Oakton College
B.S.N., University of Illinois
M.S.N., Chamberlain College of Nursing
dschiltz@oakton.edu
847.367.7259
Office: Room 225, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Winnie Sitt
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S.N. Rush University
wsitt@oakton.edu
847.635.1829
Office: Room 227, Des Plaines, Lee Center

Amber Davis, RN-B.S.
Nursing Degree-Completion Coordinator
Northern Illinois University School of Nursing

Kari Kennedy, RN
Alumni
NorthShore University Health Systems Glenbrook Hospital

Audra Lawer, RN
Alumni
NorthShore University Health Systems
Swedish Hospital

Tammy Lis MSN, RN-BC, CCRN, NPD-BC
Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Nursing Education and Professional Development, Undergraduate Clinical Affiliations Placement Coordinator
System Online EKG Course Support Team
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Stephen Gautschi
Healthcare Development Specialist
Chamberlain University

Jim Gwynn
KHE Regional Territory Director ( Illinois )
Working in collaboration with Purdue Northwest University

Michelle A. Madda DNP, RN, CWOCN, GCNS-BC
Vice President of Health and Wellness Services
Mather

Annmarie McDonagh MBA, DNP, RN
Director of Nursing Professional Practice and Magnet Certification
Ascension Saint Francis

Mary C. Meyer MS, RN, NPD-BC
Manager Professional Development and Academic Affiliations
NorthShore University Health System

Peggy Ochoa MSN, RNC-OB
Obstetrics
NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston Hospital

Scott Padolina, MSN-RN, ONC
Nursing Students Clinical Coordinator
Ascension Alexian Brothers

Linda S. Ramirez DNP RN, PCCN
Director of Clinical Operations
Ascension Resurrection

Ellen Stoneberg
Nurse Education Coordinator
Westminster Place

Staci Wagers
Senior Executive Director | AP
Online RN to BSN program
University of Illinois Chicago

Maryla Wozniakowski MSN, RN, CIC
System Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Nursing Education and Professional Development
Advocate Condell Medical Center


Ex-officio members

Maribel Alimboyoguen
Dean of Health Careers
Oakton College

Margaret Gas MPA, MSN, RN
Program Chair, Associate Degree Nursing
Oakton College

Mary Kakenmaster
Nursing Faculty
Oakton College

Ciarán O’Sullivan
Coordinator, Associate Degree Nursing Program
Oakton College

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