The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program prepares students to deliver nursing care in a variety of health care environments. The two-year program begins every fall and spring semester and prepares students to transfer to a bachelor's degree program.
Along with fulfilling general education requirements and completing required nursing courses, students will gain hands-on experience in the Nursing Simulation Laboratory located within the Health and Science Center (HSC). In the HSC, students will:
- Learn how to handle over 50 different scenarios in the Simulation Laboratory, ranging from administering medication to dealing with cardiac arrest.
- Learn using real-world equipment in the four bed-hospital Simulation Laboratory with lifelike manikin, a nursing station, birthing suite and debriefing room.
The program is designed so students can become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) halfway through their studies, allowing them to secure professional employment as they finish their associate degree.
Graduate are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). ADN graduates have a 95 percent pass rate on board certified exams due to the robust curriculum, rigor of the program, quality of faculty and hard work of nursing students.
Admission Information
Students must complete specific steps in order to apply to the ADN program which includes watching the mandatory advising session video. Note: All prerequisite coursework (including CNA course) must be completed by each admission cycle deadline
- Admission Deadlines - See admissions packet for specific deadline date:
- Fall admission deadline is in May.
- Spring admission deadline is in November.
- A full list of admission requirements can be found in the admissions packet.
- Students who are returning to the nursing program can reference the nursing re-admission packet.
First Step to Apply - Attend an Advising Session
Determine Your Path
Develop skills to provide direct care to patients, families and communities in various clinical settings including schools, hospitals, community health centers, outpatient clinics, home care, telehealth, mobile clinics, shelters, state prisons and summer camps.
The Nursing program at College of DuPage is one of the more robust nursing programs in the area. COD offers:
- Dedicated instructors with years of teaching and patient care experience. Graduates of the ADN program have consistently been above the national and state benchmarks when passing board certified exams.
- Hands-on learning through the state-of-the-art Simulation Laboratory. Students are also given the opportunity to work with other COD programs through large-scale simulated events.
- A one-on-one mentorship environment. The Nursing program assigns new students an upper-level student mentor to help them navigate the program. New students are also assigned a faculty advisor to help with guidance, support and other opportunities.
- Innovative transfer programs that facilitate a convenient, affordable and streamlined approach to earning a bachelor's degree.
- The opportunity to join Alpha Delta Nu National Honor Society for elite nursing students.
- Program approval from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation/Board of Nursing and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and reaccreditation in 2018 by The Higher Learning Commission.
Nursing
The Nursing Associate in Applied Science degree program prepares graduates to deliver nursing care in various health care environments.
Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Nursing (RN) licensing exam National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) awards the license upon successful completion of the exam.
Practical Nursing
The Practical Nursing certificate integrates classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction to teach concepts and skills that the Practical Nurse (PN) contributes to care of patients.
Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam. This certificate is only available to students admitted into the Associate Degree Nursing program.
The Associate Degree Nursing program at College of DuPage at the main campus located in Glen Ellyn, IL is accredited by:
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 with Conditions.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
Program Outcome Data
| Year | Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 93% |
| 2022 | 83% |
| 2023 | 92% |
| Admitting Cohort | 3-Year Program Completion Rate |
|---|---|
| Spring 2020 | 93.33% |
| Fall 2020 | 75.00% |
| Spring 2021 | 73.02% |
| Graduating Cohort | % Employed 1-Year After Graduation |
|---|---|
| Fall 2020 | 89% |
| Spring 2021 | 86% |
| Fall 2021 | 94% |
| Spring 2022 | 100% |
| Fall 2022 | 86% |
| Spring 2023 | 92% |
COD Stories
“The best thing about COD is how much it cares about the students. I was able to build so many lasting relationships and it prepared me for the future.” - Jhenevie Oca
Jhenevie's COD StoryCOD Stories
“Life is waiting for you and as you look for the next journey of your life, walk through the door. If you get on the other side and it’s not what you thought, pause and ask yourself, ‘What did I learn?" - Kim Armour
Kim's COD StoryCOD Stories
“The program constantly strives to give the students the best experiences available through wonderful clinical sites, a quality simulation hospital and teachers genuinely invested in their students’ success." - Brandon Smith
Brandon's COD StoryCOD Stories
“Thinking back to COD always puts a smile on my face. It was one of the best experiences of my life." - Stephanie Torres
Stephanie's COD StoryCOD Stories
“I formed relationships with other COD nursing students that have had such a profound impact on my life. Despite being all over the country, we stay connected to each other and constantly champion one another." - Sarah Stetina
Sarah's COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in the program is to read the admissions packet. The packet contains a admission checklist that you will need to follow in order to be eligible for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
The College of DuPage Associate Degree Nursing Program curriculum incorporates established professional standards, guidelines, and competencies.
- Safety: Provide safe and holistic nursing care throughout the lifespan to a culturally diverse society grounded in science and the nursing process.
- Patient-Centered Care: Apply nursing judgment to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care and promotion of health for patients within a family and community context.
- Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary health care teams to foster open communication, respect and shared decision-making.
- Evidence-Based Practice an Quality Improvement: Incorporate a spirit of inquiry to make evidence-based clinical judgments and management decisions for quality improvement.
- Informatics: Integrate information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, and support decision making in the practice of nursing care.
- Professionalism: Assumes accountability for practice in accordance with professional, legal and ethical standards.
College of DuPage has several nursing transfer opportunities in place with four-year colleges and universities to save you time, money and make the transfer process easier.
Many of these agreements with other colleges and universities have specific course requirements and a pre-determined course plan that needs to be followed to be eligible to transfer. Contact a program faculty member or academic advisor to learn more as course requirements vary by institution.
Career Information
Explore careers based on your interest, location and salary range or view top occupations by income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your frequently asked questions regarding the Nursing program.
If you are new to College of DuPage, you should start by talking to an Admissions Representative at (630) 942-2626.
If you have taken classes at COD before, you should start by attending an Advising Session; these are posted online.
Attending an advising session should be the first thing you do whether you are a current or prospective student.
- Group session
- No registration; no fee
- Plan to attend the entire session
You need to complete CNA prerequisites in order to apply. There are three ways you can show proof you've completed the CNA requirement:
- Be listed on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Health Care Worker Registry or
- Submit certification of completion to hsdmissions@cod.edu or
- Take the NURSA 1105 course at College of DuPage
The following are the prerequisite courses that must be completed by the date specified in the ADN admissions packet:
- Math 1102, equivalent or higher with grade C or better
- Micro 1420, equivalent or higher with grade C or better
- A&P 1551 and 1552, OR 1571 and 1572, equivalent or higher with grade C or better.
Review the ADN admissions packet for more information on completion deadlines.
Only A&P 1551/71 and 1152/72 prerequisite courses expire as they need to be completed within five years. Refer to the ADN admission packet for more information.
A&P 1500 is not an acceptable course for the ADN program.
You can register online for the HESI A2 through the Testing Center. The exam cost is $60 and is non-refundable.
HESI A2 test scores are valid for two years from the date of the examination. You are allowed to repeat the test every 30 days, for a total of three attempts in one calendar year. Refer to the ADN admission packet for more information.
Once you have made the decision to pursue the 3+1 nursing program with either Benedictine University or Governors State University, you need to fill out a 3+1 program application.
The application ensures you are receiving the most up-to-date information for anything related to the 3+1 Nursing programs.
After you have been accepted into College of DuPage's Associate Degree Nursing program and you are approximately a semester away from completing the program, you need to submit an admission application to either Benedictine University or Governors State University for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, and follow their application process.
