Apply to Community College | Admissions (2024)

Learn More About Nursing

Visit our Nursing page
Visit our catalog to view nursing course requirements.

Nursing Admission Requirements

Students must:

Meetresidency requirements.
Complete theJJC Application.
Submit official transcripts from any college/education training program attended before the nursing applicationdeadline (if applicable).
Have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in prerequisites, general education and recommended courses for the program

Note to Nursing Applicants

CNA Requirement – Beginning with the June 1-15, 2024 application period and all future application periods, all applicants must have completed a CNA course or have completed the JJC NA 101 course. Applicants must have a CNA certificate and be eligible on the CNA Registry prior to the application period.

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.

Vaccine Requirements

All nursing programs (CNA, RN, LPN, LPN Transition) strongly recommend that all students be fully vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19 prior to entrance into the program in order to complete clinical requirements of the program. Proof of other immunity and/or vaccination, 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.

Did you complete other educational/training programs before JJC?

If so,completeatranscript evaluation form. Make sure toselect"Associate in Arts"and the correctapplicant typelocated under the Transfer Evaluation Request Information section. Then, order official transcripts from your former collegeto be sent to the JJC Transfer Credit Evaluation Office. Questions? Email transfercredit@jjc.edu.

Placement Test/ACT Scores

Students must meet at least one of following requirements.

Complete the Nursing Program Entrance Exam,ATI-TEAS

TheATI-TEAS(Test of the Essential Academic Skills Version 7) exam evaluates math skills, reading comprehension, English and science proficiency.

How to Study for the Exam

TEAS prep study sessionsat the JJC Tutoring and Learning Center
Study guidesavailable for purchase via ATI Testing
Study guides available in the JJC Library and the Learning Resource Center at the Romeoville Campus

What You Need to Know About the Exam

Cost: approximately $90
Scores from other schools will not be considered
Students must take the TEAS test in-person on a JJC campus in order to be considered into the program. Test results from remote testing or proctoring will not be accepted
Must be scheduled in advance and paid online
Must be completed by the last day of the application period at the latest (Feb.15 or June 15); canonly be taken once per semester
Only three attemptsallowed in a five-year period (scores do not expire)

TEAS Scores & Eligibility
Students who score an 82 or above on the TEAS Composite are guaranteed to be admitted into JJC's nursing program depending on:

your background check and drug screening
when you complete thenursing application
other factors (see below)

If there are more studentsthan available seats, a ranking system will be used to determine who gets admitted first (see below). Students who score below 82 will also be ranked. Minimum TEAS score is 60.

After Taking the Exam
Schedule an appointment with a nursing advisor. Call815.280.2435.Note: Make sure you have met placement test requirements and have submittedcollege transcripts first (if applicable).

Ranking System

Each eligible application will be given a number for anonymity. All demographic data will be removed. Applications aresent to the Nursing Admissions Committee.

When Will I Know If I've Been Accepted Into The Program?
Within 3-5 weeks of submitting the nursing application, students will receive anemail sent to their JJC email accountinforming them if they qualified.

Applicants will be scored and ranked based on:

TEAS Composite Score - weighted 40%
*Calculated GPA based on grades for ENG 101, PSYC 101, PSYC 215, HEAL 109, BIO 250 and BIO 251 - weighted 30%
Percentage of general education classes completed:BIO 250 andBIO 251 - weighted 20%
Percentage of prerequisite/general education classes completed:ENG 101; PSYC 101; PSYC 215; HEAL 109 - weighted 10%

*If a class was taken more than once, the better grade will be used. If a student has "clepped" out of a class (CLEP Test),the grade will be counted as a "C"

Important
This criteria is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to review the criteria on a regular basis.

Transfer for Your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Students who want to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing shouldcomplete JJC's Associate of Applied Science degree first and then enroll in an RN to BSN program at a four-year college/university.

Another option for studentsis complete the Associate in Artsdegree and transfer to a college/university with a pre-licensure nursingprogramor nursing major.

JJC has agreements with several institutions. Meet with anursing advisor to learn more.

Thinking about becoming a nurse out of state?
Before you start at JJC, contact the nursing licensing agency in your chosen state. Ask them ifJJC coursework meetsrequirements for you to totake a nursing exam in that state. Learn more about nursing state requirements