Course Sequence
This is a 37-credit-hour, accredited certificate program that can be completed in one year.
The curriculum includes practical nursing courses and assigned clinical experiences.
Course Information
Clinical Education Experiences
Clinical experiences may be scheduled during the day, evening and/or weekends at hospitals/clinics located throughout Southern Illinois and in the St. Louis region. Students may be required to travel outside the college district for clinical experience courses. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed, and specific clinical schedules may be changed during courses.
Students should check location and schedule of classes to ensure availability and access. Students are responsible for their own transportation and attendance at any of the classes and clinicals assigned by the program.
Program Capacity
Summer Semester: Red Bud Campus – 20
Fall Semester: East St. Louis Community Center – 24
Spring Semester: Sam Wolf Granite City Campus – 35
Program Location
The Practical Nursing Education program consists of PN-prefix courses and assigned clinical experience. Specific locations depend on the course.
Practical Nursing Courses
The PN courses are offered on campus during the day of the semesters indicated.
Clinical Education Experiences
Clinical experiences may be scheduled during the day, evening and/or weekends at hospitals/clinics located throughout Southern Illinois and in the St. Louis region. Students may be required to travel outside the college district for clinical experience courses. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed, and specific clinical schedules may be changed during courses.
Students should check location and schedule of classes to ensure availability and access. Students are responsible for their own transportation and attendance at any of the classes and clinicals assigned by the program.
Licensure Requirements
Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing curriculum, graduates are awarded a certificate in practical nursing and are eligible to take the computer adaptive NCLEX-PN exam. To practice as a practical nurse, graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN examination. Graduates who pass the exam may apply to become Licensed Practical Nurses. All states require licensure to practice as a practical nurse.
Graduates who successfully pass the NCLEX-PN may also opt to continue their education at institutions which offer Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs or RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Information on ADN or RN-BSN articulation/dual enrollment is available in the Nursing Education office.
LICENSURE PASS RATE
Examination pass Rate on NCLEX-PN
Benchmark: A minimum of 75% of Practical Nursing graduates will pass the NCLEX –PN exam on the first attempt.
Year 2024 pass rate is
84%
To compare SWIC graduate licensure pass rates to other Illinois colleges, go to the Illinois Approved Nursing Education Program Pass Rates – Last 5 Years:
ilapnursingedprogpassrates.pdf (illinois.gov)