Nursing

  • Health, Public Safety & Human Services

The nursing program of Joliet Junior College has a rich history, with the first nursing class of 11 having graduated in 1971.

Today, more than 100 students graduate from both the practical nurse program and the registered nurse program annually. Our students have the benefit of a state-of-the-art simulation center in the Health Professions Center. High-fidelity simulation enhances our students' education and adds to the realism of the learning experience.

The 2022 figures from the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) show the rates for candidates who have completed the registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) tests for the past five years. It is based on their completion of the licensure examinations for the first time upon graduating from an Illinois-approved nursing education program.

JJC’s first-time pass rate in 2022 for the NCLEX-RN was 87%. That’s well above the national average of 80%. 

As for the NCLEX-PN, JJC’s first-time pass rate in 2022 was 100%. By comparison, the national rate was 80%.

Note to Nursing Applicants

CNA Requirement

Beginning with the June 1-15, 2024 application period and all future application periods, all applicants must complete a CNA course at JJC or elsewhere with a grade "C" or better, be active on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry, and have passed the CNA certification exam.

  • One-Time Exception - June 2024 Application Only: Students enrolled in NA 101 CNA course at JJC or elsewhere prior to the June 1-15, 2024, will be allowed to apply with the understanding that they will complete the course with a grade "C" or better and be on the CNA Registry prior to entering the Nursing program in spring 2025. Failure to obtain the CNA certification prior to the spring 2025 semester will result in the candidate's removal from the nursing program.

Clinical Agency Policy Requirements

Students in the nursing program must follow each clinical agency’s policy regarding tattoos that are not hidden by clothing. All tattoos must be covered unless covering poses an infection control issue (i.e., hand tattoos).

Jewelry must reflect professionalism and asepsis and must be limited to a watch, a single pair of small post-type earrings and a plain wedding band. Students with ear gauges must wear a solid, skin-tone plug in the stretched lobe(s); gauges must be no larger than a nickel. Nothing can be dangling or hanging below the ear including, but not limited to, jewelry or ear tissue.

 

Vaccine Requirements

All nursing programs (RN, LPN, LPN Transition, CNA) require that all students must submit proof of the Covid-19 vaccination plus one booster prior to the start of the academic year in order to complete the clinical requirements of the program. Proof of other immunity and/or vaccination and a drug screen and criminal background check are also required and will be communicated to applicants when provisionally accepted into the program. If a student is accepted into the program and fails the criminal background check or drug screen and/or does not have the mandatory vaccinations, the student will be removed from the program.  

 

TEAS Testing

TEAS is the admission test required for the RN, LPN, and LPN Transition pathways. TEAS must be taken in-person at Joliet Junior College. More information can be found here: https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/testing-services/tests-administered.

Registered Nurse (R.N.)

The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed for persons who wish to become registered nurses (R.N.). The program combines classroom experience on Main Campus with clinical experience in community health facilities.

Practical Nurse (P.N.)

The Certificate of Achievement program is designed for persons who wish to become Practical Nurses (P.N.). The program combines classroom experience on Main Campus with clinical experience in community health facilities.

Licensed Practical Nurse Transition Program

This program is designed to assist the non-collegiate Licensed Practical Nurse in the role changes necessary for transition to the ADN (RN preparation) curriculum at JJC.

Certified Nurse Assistant Training Course

The Certified Nurse Assistant Training course (NA 101) prepares students to administer patient care as a member of a nursing team in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other extended care facilities.

Nursing Students Exceed National Standards on the NCLEX

Nursing Program Information Sessions

Learn more about our Nursing program by viewing one of our virtual information sessions or attending an in-person session.

Health, Public Safety & Human Services

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Additional Information

  • Program Accreditation Status

    The associate degree nursing program at Joliet Junior College located in Joliet, Illinois is accredited by the:

    Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
    3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
    Phone:(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 public information disclosed by ACEN

    Students considering a program of study that leads to professional licensure, endorsement or certification in Nursing should contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state where you plan to be licensed prior to enrollment at Joliet Junior College to ensure the coursework meets that state's requirements. Links to the requirements for each state can be found at the National Council for State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). https://ww.ncsbn.org/14730.htm

  • Completion Rates

    As part of our quest for continuous quality improvement and to meet our accreditation standards, the JJC Nursing Program tracks the number of students who graduate within 150% of time of the program. We use the 150% standard knowing that some students need to take a semester or two off for a variety of reasons and cannot finish within 4 semesters. These statistics represent the percentage of students who started in the semester listed who completed the 4-semester program within 6 semesters. Prior to fall of 2016, we did not collect data per cohort, rather as an entire program.

    Day Program (150% of the time/6 semesters)
    FL16 Cohort:   61%
    SP17 Cohort:  56%
    FL17 Cohort:   64%

    SP18 Cohort:  59%

    FL18 Cohort: 63%

    SP19 Cohort: 43%

     

     

    Evening Program (150% of the time/6 semesters)
    FL16 Cohort:   78%
    SP17 Cohort:  58%
    FL17 Cohort:   70%
    SP18 Cohort:  43%

    FL18 Cohort: 58%

    SP19 Cohort: 54%

    LPN Pathway (150% of the time/4 semesters)
    FL16 Cohort:   83%
    SP17 Cohort:  65%
    FL17 Cohort:   39%
    SP18 Cohort:  54%
    FL18 Cohort:   39%
    SP19 Cohort:  50%

    FL19 Cohort: 33%

    SP20 Cohort: 19%

    Program Completion Rate (150% of the time/6 semesters)
    SP16:  64%
    FL15:  64%
    SP15:  58%
    FL14:  70%
    SP14:  69%
    FL13:  74%

  • NCLEX-RN Passage Rates

    NCLEX-RN is the national licensure examination that nursing graduates take after graduation. The passage rate represents the students who passed the examination on their first attempt. Nurses must pass this examination before they can be licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN).

    2022: JJC 87%; National average 80%; Illinois average 77%

    2021: JJC 95%; National average 82%; Illinois average 82%

    2020: JJC 96%; National average 87%; Illinois average 88%

    2019: JJC 99%; National average 88%; Illinois average 88%
    2018: JJC 93%; National average 88%; Illinois average 88%
    2017: JJC 95%; National average 87%; Illinois average 86%
    2016: JJC 92%; National average 85%; Illinois average 85%
    2015: JJC 96%; National average 85%; Illinois average 86%
    2014: JJC 92%; National average 82%; Illinois average 84%
    2013: JJC 93%; National average 83%; Illinois average 85%
    2012: JJC 96%; National average 90%; Illinois average 91%
    2011: JJC 95%; National average 88%; Illinois average 88%

     

  • NCLEX-PN Passage Rates

    NCLEX-PN is the national licensure examination that practical nursing graduates take after graduation. The passage rate represents the students who passed the examination on their first attempt. Nurses must pass this examination before they can be licensed to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

    2022: JJC 100%; National average 80%; Illinois average 77%

    2021: JJC 88%; National average 80%; Illinois average 83%

    2020: JJC 100%; National average 83%; Illinois average 87%

    2019: JJC 99%; National average 86%; Illinois average 89%
    2018: JJC 100%; National average 86%; Illinois average 89%
    2017: JJC 98%; National average 84%; Illinois average 86%
    2016: JJC 100%; National average 84%; Illinois average 91%
    2015: JJC 99%; National average 82%; Illinois average 88%
    2014: JJC 100%; National average 82%; Illinois average 86%
    2013: JJC 98%; National average 85%; Illinois average 88%
    2012: JJC 100%; National average 84%; Illinois average 85%
    2011: JJC 99%; National average 85%; Illinois average 87%

  • Nursing Handbooks

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