Unlike many academic and career and technical education programs at Richland, admission into the Bridge Program is selective and competitive. Admission to Richland Community College does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Late and out-of-district students will be considered for the program when space is available.

Students must meet the minimum admission criteria to be eligible to apply. Please read below for description of prerequisites and admission criteria. Once the criteria are met, applicants are scored on a rubric and the applicants with the highest scores are accepted in rank order.

Please read below to determine if you are eligible to apply. Current or former students may also use the Pre-Advisement Plan on myRichland to review unmet prerequisites. If you have questions, please speak with an advisor in Student Services.

Prerequisites and Admission Criteria

• Graduate of a State-approved Practical Nursing Program
• Current LPN license or eligibility to be licensed before the program begins. Students must have current LPN license to begin NURS 203 (Bridge course)
• Eligibility for ENGL 101
• Eligibility for MATH 098 Intermediate Algebra or successful completion with a “C” or better of MATH 091 (or equivalent) and MATH 106
• Complete the Nelson Denny Reading Test with score of 120 or greater in each area (vocabulary, reading, and composite)
• BIOL 201 with a “C” or better. Students who have completed BIOL 201, 202, or 220 must have completed one within the last 5 years
• Complete (or be in progress) with a “C” or better the following program courses: BIOL 201, BIOL 202, ENGL 101, PSYCH 110, and PSYCH 145
• Have a “C” or better in all prerequisites and program courses and maintain a minimum 2.5 Program GPA. For admission the Program GPA is calculated using grades and credits earned in any completed Bridge program course. Program courses that can be taken prior to admission include: BIOL 201, 202, 220*, ENGL 101, Fine Art elective*, HLTH 197*, NURS 154**, PSYCH 110, 145, and SOCIO 110*. Transfer and Richland credits are used in calculating the Program GPA.

* Course can be completed in program. Please refer to the semester-by-semester outline in the catalog.
** Course can be completed concurrently with NURS 203

• Students are strongly encouraged to complete all non-nursing courses prior to admission to the Bridge program.

• Students are responsible for LPN skills outlined in the Occupational Illinois Skills Competency Standards. Students should identify areas of weakness or areas for improvement and refine those skills in the open lab.

Each spring and fall, 6 students are conditionally admitted to the program. In the event of a tie for the 6th position, the student with the highest Program GPA is admitted. The following components are the basis of ranking:

1. Program G.P.A. (minimum 2.5)
2. Biology G.P.A. (minimum 2.0)
3. Number of courses completed
4. Nelson Denny reading level
5. Number of biology courses withdrawn (W) or completed with a grade lower than "C" within the last five years
6. Priority is given to the most qualified and in-district applicants

Shortly after the deadline, the ADN Program Admission Committee will meet to review the admission rubrics, rank students, and determine who will be admitted to the program. The rubrics are not attached to any indentifying student characteristics besides the student ID number. This allows the Committee to review the rubrics using non-discriminatory practices.

The top ranked students will be offered conditional admission to the Bridge Program. All applicants are notified in writing of their admission status within four weeks after the Admission Committee’s meeting.

Admission is conditional. This means that students must meet certain criteria before beginning the first Bridge course. The criteria are as follows:

• Students must have a “C” or better in all prerequisites and program courses and a 2.5 minimum Program G.P.A. All courses and the Program G.P.A. will be reassessed at the end of the semester in which the student applied to determine if the student is still eligible for the Bridge Program
• Students must submit their acceptance letter by the deadline
• Students must have a physician complete the Health and Immunization Record Form and have updated immunizations and proof of CPR certification. The completed form should be submitted by the deadline
• Students must complete a drug screen prior to beginning the program
• Verify that the LPN license is active and in "good standing" on the IDFPR website
• If currently enrolled in a practical nursing program, student must successfully pass NCLEX-PN exam and obtain licensure before the first day of class

Alternate List

After the top ranked students are extended conditional admission, an alternate list of other qualified students is developed in the event that someone should cancel or not meet the conditional admission criteria. Up to the day prior to the first nursing course, the alternates may be notified. The Bridge program does not maintain a waitlist. If not admitted, students must reapply to the program each semester.

Background Checks

Richland’s clinical sites require students to submit to a background check prior to entering their institutions. Students enrolled in the LPN Bridge Program, as active Licensed Practical Nurses with no disciplinary action cited by the State, will not be required to submit to another background check.

Professional Integrity and Code of Ethics

Richland’s ADN Program holds its students to a high standard. The American Nurse Associate (ANA) Code of Ethics will serve as the basis of Richland’s Professional Integrity Policy and Code of Ethics.

Affiliation agreements with our clinical partners require students submit documentation of health and safety requirements. Failure to comply for any reason may result in withdrawal of offer of admission or dismissal from the program.

Under no circumstances are students to attend clinical without current immunizations, initial Mantoux TB or current CPR. TB and CPR must be current from the first day of the semester through the last day of classes in the semester.

Nursing is a profession, which involves contact with individuals and requires the ability to perform wide variety of activities. Nursing students must be able to perform the essential duties and skills required by the clinical agencies. These are addressed in the Health and Immunization Record Form that students receive upon admission. Changes in the following functional performance areas must be immediately reported to the Nursing Program Director to ensure student and patient safety: Gross motor skills, physical endurance, physical strength, mobility, hearing, visual, tactile, smell, reading, emotional stability, analytical thinking, critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

All admitted students will submit to an initial drug screening as part of their conditional admission requirements. In addition, any of the clinical sites or faculty may require students to submit to random drug tests or for cause.

Health Insurance

Students are encouraged to obtain their own health insurance coverage. None is provided through the College.

• Obtain a “C” or better in all prerequisites and program courses
• Maintain a minimum program G.P.A of 2.5
• Complete all nursing psychomotor competencies with 76% of the designated skills performed in the clinical setting
• Obtain a score of 850 or greater on the HESI Exit Exam
• Meet the ANA Code of Ethics and the Ethical Standard Requirements