The Practical Nursing Program is a selective admission program, and minimum criteria must be met in order to receive an application. Admission to the program is by application. Admission to Richland Community College does not guarantee acceptance to the program. The program begins in June (Summer semester), and takes one year to complete.

Career and Technical Education Options

This is a career and technical education program. Some courses may not transfer to four-year institutions.

• Certificate in Practical Nursing (Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN) (47 hours)
• Request an advisement plan for Practical Nursing - required if you want to apply to the program

The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Illinois of Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and prepares entry-level students to provide nursing care to clients with normal and common health problems through the use of basic skills under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed physician. Job opportunities for LPNs include a variety of nursing positions such as in hospitals, agencies, physician’s offices, and extended care facilities. The program consists of classroom instruction, laboratory, and clinical experiences in hospitals, nursing homes, and community health settings. In addition, the curriculum is structured so that the practical nurse graduate may choose courses that will allow for continued study in Richland Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program.

Licensure/Certification

Upon successful completion of the program and on passing the required criminal background check, the graduate will then be eligible to write the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). After successfully passing this examination, the graduate can apply for licensure as a practical nurse. As required by the Illinois Nursing & Advanced Practice Nursing Act, the licensing process includes a criminal background check.

Admission Criteria

• Applicant must be a high school graduate, high school senior, or GED graduate
• Application must be received by 5 p.m. on March 1 for consideration for summer admission.
• Submit Application for Admission to Richland Community College
  • Submit official high school transript or GED certificate
  • Submit official college transcripts from any other college(s) for previous college course work if it is to be considered for the program
• Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or above in the prerequisites and general education courses that apply to the program
  • ENGL 101
  • BIOL 101, 201, 202
  • PSYCH 110, 145
  • HLTH 197/297, 220
• Biology GPA of 2.0 or better on 4.0 scale. The last biology course taken (BIOL 101, 201, 202) must have been completed within the past five years.
• Complete the College placement examinations as follows:
  • Placement exam for math shows eligibility for MATH 098 (or complete MATH 091 and MATH 106)
  • Placement score for English shows eligibility for ENGL 101
  • Achieve a score of 12th grade or higher on the Nelson Denny Reading Examination
• Applicant must be a CNA in good standing on the Illinois Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Registry.