Nursing Information
It feels amazing to help people regain their health and improve their quality of life. Become a nursing student at HCC and that's exactly what you'll learn how to do. Through coursework and clinical activities you'll build content knowledge and technical skills. You'll also learn to function as a core member of a healthcare team. Some of the 11 courses in Heartland's selective-admissions nursing program include:
- Medication Principles for Nurses
- Contemporary Nursing
- Nursing Care Concepts: Chronic Adult
- Many of our nation's 2.6 million nurses work in traditional settings. In-demand specialties on the rise include traveling nurses, nurse informatics specialists, acute nurse practitioners, geriatric, hospice, and home care nurses.
Employment of nursing aides, orderlies and attendants is expected to grow by 20% from 2010 to 2020. Job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to increase by 26% during that same period. In both cases that is faster than the average for all occupations.* With continued education you can work as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife or certified registered nurse anesthetist.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition
Heartland Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree to fulfill the Associate Degree in Nursing requirements. The Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Admission is selective, and is offered annually to both new students and Advanced Placement for Licensed Practical Nurses.
Additionally, HCC offers collaborative partnerships with Illinois State University and other 4-year universities which include dual enrollment and Pathways to complete the baccalaureate in nursing degree.
1. Earn your Heartland degree and transition directly into the workforce:
Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing
The AAS degree in Nursing prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN Examination for licensure to become a Registered Nurse (RN). RNs provide direct care to patients, families, and communities. They also use critical thinking skills to make clinical judgments in practice, provide emotional support to clients in distress, and teach patients and communities principles of wellness. Heartland graduates work throughout the community in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient settings.
Current Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may enter the second year of the program to complete the academic requirements necessary to take the NCLEX-RN.
2. Earn an industry credential at Heartland:
Pratical Nursing
The Practical Nursing course (NURS 136) provides an optional career ladder as part of the AAS Nursing degree. After completing the first year of nursing courses, students may elect to take the 8-week summer Practical Nursing course which meets the educational requirements for taking the NCLEX-PN Examination to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). As an LPN, you offer direct nursing care to patients while working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, or physician.
3. Complete your general education requirements and transfer to a four year university for your nursing education
Associate in Arts - Concentration in Nursing
If you plan to complete the first 2 years of general education requirements and then transfer to become a nursing major at another 4-year college or university in Illinois, the Associate in Arts (AA) transfer preparation program is the path for you. This 60-credit hour area of concentration includes general education requirements and recommended electives.