Southeastern Illinois College Nursing students Austin Koester (Ridgway) and Christina Hutchcraft (Harrisburg) work with one of the patient simulators. | Contributed photo
Southeastern Illinois College Nursing students Austin Koester (Ridgway) and Christina Hutchcraft (Harrisburg) work with one of the patient simulators. | Contributed photo
Southeastern Illinois College's (SIC) associate's degree in nursing program (ADN) and practical degree program are the best in the state, two nursing advocacy groups said recently.
The groups, Practical Nursing.org and RegisteredNursing.org, ranked schools based on clinical exam pass rates between 2012 and 2015.
SIC bachelor's degree students in the nursing (BSN) program ranked third in the state, going up against larger universities.
High scores and rankings look just as promising for 2016, with all SIC students taking the 2016 clinical exams passing. Only one other ADN program and two BSN programs in Illinois achieved perfect passing rates.
“SIC is dedicated to preparing our graduates for safe practice in an entry-level position,” SIC Nursing Director Amy Murphy said. “Our nursing students receive a rigorous curriculum with extensive training in delivery of patient care and professional skills.”
Illinois and many other states are facing an impending nursing shortage as a result of the aging baby boomer generation and a rapid rate of nurse retirements.
SIC is accepting applications through March for the fall semester. Contact the nursing office at 618-252-5400, ext. 2331 or nursing@sic.edu, or visit www.sic.edu/nursing.
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