Nursing Education - RN Program - Southwestern Illinois College

Overview of the Nursing Education Program

Applications for Spring 2025, Day Nursing Education program are open from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.


Applications for Summer 2025, LPN Bridge Nursing Education program are open September 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024.


Applications for Fall 2025, Day Nursing Education program are open September 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024.


Applications for Fall 2025, Evening Nursing Education program are open September 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024.

Students must apply and be formally accepted into the Nursing Education program prior to enrolling in any NE courses.
Entrance into the Nursing program is highly competitive

Requirements to apply:

– Online application is available in your eSTORM Student Center

 – Online Application Procedures

  1. Log in to eSTORM
  2. Click the tile that says “Program Applications”
  3. From the drop-down bar, select the program you wish to apply for. Active and upcoming applications will be listed after clicking the appropriate program.
  4. Select “Apply Now” for the cohort you wish to apply for.
  5. Complete the application by following the steps as indicated
  6. Click “Submit”
  7.  

 – Steps to Apply

Download the Spring Day NE Planning Guide for Application Requirements

Download the Fall Day OR Evening NE Planning Guide for Application Requirements

Download the LPN Bridge/Advanced Standing Planning Guide for Application Requirements

To get started: 

  1. Download the planning guide
  2. Create student account 
  3. Send SWIC official high school and college transcripts 
  4. Apply during the above application period 

Program Capacity

The Nursing Education program generally accepts 80 traditional students at the Belleville campus.

The Nursing Education spring program generally accepts 16 traditional students at the Belleville campus.

The LPN Bridge program generally accepts 16 students at the Belleville campus.

The Nursing Education evening program generally accepts 16 traditional students at the Granite City campus.

Program Location

General Education Courses

The required general education courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City, Red Bud campuses or online.

Nursing Education Courses

The NE program courses are only offered at the Belleville Campus during the day and in the evening at Granite City.

Clinical Education Experiences

Students begin clinical experience in the first semester and throughout the remainder of the program. Immunizations, vaccinations, background check, and drug screenings are required prior to clinical experiences. Information will be provided upon acceptance into the program. Specific clinical placements cannot be guaranteed.

Program Cost

Nursing Education Degree program

For details, see the NE cost sheet.

LPN Bridge/Advanced Standing Degree program

For details, see the LPN Bridge cost sheet.

Financial assistance is available!

SWIC Financial Aid Office

Financial aid is available subject to financial need and satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the college.

The student work program does not require financial aid eligibility.

SWIC Foundation

The SWIC Foundation offers over 300 scholarships based on residency, enrollment and GPA criteria.

Time Commitment

Nursing Education courses are offered during the day or evening, and clinical hours are scheduled in the day, evenings and weekends. The traditional Nursing Education courses can be completed in four semesters. The LPN Bridge Nursing Education courses can be completed in three semesters. It is recommended that if employed, students complete non-NE pre-fix courses prior to entrance into the program.

Student schedules are determined by courses and clinical site placement. Students within the same course may have different schedules due to clinical placement. To complete the program, students must be willing to adapt their schedules as needed.

Students are responsible for their own transportation and attendance to all classes and clinicals assigned by the program.

Nursing Education Handbook

View the NE handbook

Program Accreditation

IDFPR Approval

The SWIC Nursing Education program is a member of the National League for Nursing Council of Associate Degree Nursing Programs and is approved by:

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

100 Randolph, Suite 9-300
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-4500

ACEN Accreditation

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

Verification of program accreditation can be viewed on the ACEN website.

NCLEX-RN EXAM Licensure Requirements

After successful completion of the Nursing Education program, students are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination, graduates apply for licensure as a registered professional nurse.

If students plan to be licensed/employed outside the state of Illinois please review the requirements for each state to ensure Southwestern Illinois College coursework meets states’ requirements. Links to the requirements for each state can be found at the National Council for States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm

After written documentation confirming successful completion of NCLEX-RN has been received by the graduate, the graduate can be employed in a license-pending category and work under the supervision of an RN, until the Illinois license has been received. Graduates seeking licensure in a state other than Illinois are required to follow the regulations of that state.

*Graduates who successfully pass the NCLEX may also opt to continue their education at institutions that offer RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs.

Graduate Outcome Measures

Completion Rates, Licensure Pass Rates, and Employment

View the Nursing Education program’s Graduate Outcome Measures.

To compare SWIC graduate licensure pass rates to other Illinois colleges, go to the Illinois Center for Nursing: Illinois Approved Nursing Education Program Pass Rates – Last 5 Years

Need more information

For more information, please fill out the contact form.

CONTACT THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez
Elizabeth.alvarez@swic.edu
618-641-5009

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