Persons interested in applying to the nursing program should contact the nursing office at one of the four colleges in the IECC District. The nursing office will provide prospective students with program information, an application, and a partial copy of the Illinois Nursing Act, which stipulates that a nursing license may be refused to persons who have been involved in a criminal offense, such as felony or misdemeanor, or unlawful sale of any drug, or alcohol/substance abuse. One convicted of a criminal offense is not automatically barred from licensure, but the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will take such convictions into consideration. Applicants will be asked to submit pre-admission documentation if concerns exist. Effective Fall 2007, a cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required to make application to the nursing program.
Conduct and HealthIn addition to meeting the nursing program requirements for admission, a student's conduct and health status must also meet the standards of the clinical agencies.
Application Deadline and Requirements
Completed applications must be received at the college site by February 15 to be ranked for the fall semester. Late applications will be accepted pending available space.
A cumulative GPA of 2.5* is required to make applicaiton to the nursing program.
Also, minimum COMPASS or ASSET test scores at or above the 34th national percentile are required for acceptance to the program. (Applicants may take the COMPASS or ASSET twice during an application process.)
A completed application consists of: 1) all official college and high school transcripts; 2) GED scores, if applicable; 3) a completed IECC application form; 4) an Associate Degree Nursing Program application; 5) COMPASS or ASSET scores; and 6) residency verification. Applicants with completed files will be ranked using the composite score which is derived from their COMPASS or ASSET scores, GPA, and science courses grades. A minimum entry-level composite score of 6 is required.
*Grades of F in college level courses from institutions outside of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges may be eligible for a grade forgiveness process for ranking purposes for acceptance into the nursing program. This grade forgiveness would be done manually and only one time and would not affect the applicant's official cumulative grade point average. Contact the Program Advisor for the Nursing Program at the college site to determine eligibility.
Requirements after the Student is Accepted into the Program
Requirements after acceptance to the program are: 1) return acceptance postcard within two (2) weeks of notification; 2) a physical examination and immunizations (due by assigned date); 3) CPR certification; 4) certification as nurse assistant*; 5) satisfactory background check; 6) evidence of completion of a study-skills course; and 7) negative drug screen. An unsatisfactory background check and/or positive drug screening test will negate program admission or result in administrative withdrawal.
* Certification as nurse assistant criterion:
1) Completion of training program within 2 years of the date of application deadline (February 15); and listed on the Illinois Department of Public Health Registry; or 2) Anyone who successfully completed the CNA course within the last 5 years and who has worked 400 hours within the last year prior to the application (must provide verification of hours worked from Feb - Feb) and be listed on the registry; or 3) Certification in other states or other health provider qualifications will be reviewed for compliance with program requirements. Additional course work or competency testing may be required.
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