Nursing (Pre-BSN)

Pre-Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Two types of academic programs lead to RN licensure: associate degree programs (ADN) and baccalaureate programs (BSN). Both programs prepare individuals to give direct patient care, but graduates of an ADN program have more limited career mobility.

The baccalaureate degree is required for public health nursing, school nursing and most supervisory positions at the unit manager level, and to enter most graduate nursing programs. In Illinois, a master's degree in nursing is required to teach in ADN, BSN or graduate-level nursing education programs.

College of DuPage students interested in pursuing the bachelor's degree in nursing can earn an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree while they fulfill all prerequisites for admission to a BSN nursing program. The Pre-Nursing program has been developed for this purpose. The ADN Nursing program, described in another program guide, is designed for students who plan to practice as a registered nurse (RN) immediately after graduation. Other educational institutions offer degree-completion programs for ADN nurses who later decide to pursue their BSN. Degree-completion programs generally can be completed in four to six semesters.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
RNs provide direct care and treatment for patients, supervise, and work as members of interdisciplinary teams in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, home health services, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory clinics and physicians' offices. Bedside services that RNs provide include injections, blood transfusions, intravenous feedings and dispensing of medications. BSNs also work in the public schools, in supervisory/managerial positions in nursing, and in the health department where they perform comprehensive health appraisals and provide patient education.

To practice as an RN, individuals must graduate from an accredited two-year associate degree program (ADN) or four-year baccalaureate program (BSN) and pass the national licensing examination. An RN must have a baccalaureate degree for employment as a public health nurse or school nurse, and for most supervisory/managerial positions at the unit manager level and above.

The employment outlook for RNs in all settings is excellent due to the prevailing shortage of nursing personnel.

ON-CAMPUS BSN OPPORTUNITIES

• Benedictine University
• Northern Illinois University

 

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Obtain a list of specific prerequisites required for admission to the BSN program(s) you would like to attend. You can obtain these directly from the transfer institution and, for some in-state schools, from COD's Counseling and Advising Services. Work with the Counseling and Advising Services to select COD courses that fulfill these prerequisites.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Please consult a faculty advisor listed below before beginning your coursework.

Degree

• Associate in Science

When planning your coursework, use the Student Planning Worksheet. Degree information and the worksheet can be found on the following files:
[ A.S. Degree , PDF file]
[ Student Planning Worksheet , PDF file]

Course Descriptions

FACULTY ADVISERS

If you are considering this program as an area of study, consult with a faculty advisor in this field. To send an email, click on the name of the advisor you wish to reach:

Linda Barkoozis
HSC 2207P, (630) 942-2569

Robert Berry
HSC 2207Q, (630) 942-2568

Theresa Bucy
HSC 2022H, (630) 942-8330

Rosa Colella-Melki
HSC 2202R, (630) 942-3445

Larinda Dixon
HSC 2207D, (630) 942-3363

Mary "Lynn" Engelmann
HSC 2207N, (630) 942-2538

Dilyss Gallyot
HSC 2202S, (630) 942-3238

Janice Miller
HSC 2207A, (630) 942-2318

Kimberly Oosterhouse
HSC 2202V, (630) 942-3050

Carol Stewart
HSC 2202G, (630) 942-2160

Maureen Waller
HSC 2207C, (630) 942-2204

If you are unable to contact an advisor, messages may be left with the Health and Sciences Division, HSC 1220, (630) 942-8331.