Elgin Community College - Providing tomorrow's education today

Cost for two years of the program is approximately $7,500. This includes:

• Textbooks, reference books, and validation packets
• Uniforms, stethoscopes, shoes, watch with a second hand
• CPR Healthcare Provider certification
• Transportation to clinical sites
• Health insurance
• Malpractice insurance is highly recommended
• Background checks and drug testing. Background checks are done upon admission to the program. Drug testing is done annually and for cause. Information on costs will be given upon acceptance to the program.
• Physical examination, immunizations and lab testing
• PSB-HOA Exam score (each category must have a score above the 25th percentile)

• We recommend that nursing students work no more than 20 hours per week—less is better.
• A nursing student registered for NUR 114 and NUR 116 can expect to spend 40-50 hours of classroom, lab and study time per week. A significant amount of time would be spent on campus.

• 80 students are admitted in the fall semester, and 40 students are admitted in the spring semester
• Preference is given to candidates who are legal residents of Community College District 509. Working in-district does not meet this requirement.
• International students are not eligible for admission to the program

• This test consists of the following areas:  http://www.psbtests.com/site/products/hoaeref.html
  • Academic aptitude-verbal, nonverbal and arithmetic
  • Spelling
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Natural Sciences
  • Vocational Adjustment Index
• The minimum required score is 25th percentile in all 8 areas
• Students may only take the PSB-HOA exam twice, at least 30 days apart, but six months is preferred; you may repeat the entire exam or just the section where you want to improve your scores, the cost is $20 for the first exam as well as for the retake exam.
• Students sign up for the PSB-HOA exam at the ECC Testing website: www.elgin.edu/testing
• PSB-HOA exam review book is available at the ECC bookstore or online
• Check ECC nursing website for change in this testing requirement.

• Pre-admission  currently includes the following:
  • PSB-HOA exam
  • ESL level 10 is required if you attended secondary school in a country where English is not the primary language.

• Chemistry must be completed prior to applying to the nursing program
• Chemistry must be within ten years of application to the nursing program
• Chemistry must be fulfilled with one year of high school chemistry including a lab with a C or better each semester; or college chemistry (CHM 112 recommended) with a grade of C or better; or CHM 101; or CHM proficiency test.
• The prerequisite for CHM is Math 098 with a grade of C or better or ACT math score of 23 or better or acceptable math placement test at ECC
• BIO 110 needs to be completed prior to submitting your application; if you have already completed A&P and micro at another institution, BIO 110 is not required
• BIO 240 or BIO 245 and BIO 246 must be completed prior to submitting your application to the nursing program
• BIO 265 must be completed prior to beginning the third semester of the nursing program, but does not need to be completed prior to admission to the program.

• Attend an on-campus nursing information session and after reviewing all admission requirements on the ECC nursing program website.
• After you have completed an ECC application, requested official transcripts (high school diploma or equivalency or GED, or any college courses), you must request an official transcript evaluation of all courses for the ECC nursing program.
• After completing the above, make an appointment with an ECC counselor at 847-214-7390 to develop an education plan.
• After meeting with a counselor, determine when is the best time to take the PSB-HOA exam to meet application deadlines.

• Classes may be offered morning and afternoons and clinical lab sections are scheduled days, afternoons and evenings and may include weekends.

• Evidence of completed health professions application
• Copy of the PSB-HOA exam with scores of 25th percentile or above

• Copy of official transcript evaluation
• ACT Composite score of 21 and BIO 240 or BIO 245 & 246 with a grade of C or greater OR GPA of 12 credit hours of college credit earned which must include BIO 240 or BIO 245 & BIO 246 with a grade of C or greater at the time of application.  Once you have earned 12 hours of college credit, the ACt will no longer be considered for admission.  Microbiology must also be completed before entering the 3rd semester of the program--worth 30% of application score.
• Complete packets should be submitted to Jeanne Trout, Student Records Office, by the application filing date.

• August 15 for January admission
• January 15 for August admission
• Late applications will not be considered until the following application deadline!

• Review of completed nursing packet submitted ON TIME!
• A specialized and competitive admission procedure is required for the nursing program.  Students must submit admission materials and meet admission requirements before their applications is considered for screening.  The applicant is responsible to make sure all requirement have been met.  Once application packets are screened for the required admission criteria, student who meet the admission requirements will be ranked according to the following criteria:
  • Score in 25th percentile or better in each section of the PSB-HOA exam (may be taken two times, 6 months apart)- a composite will be calculated abased on all score--worth 30% of application score.
  • ACT Composite score of 21 and BIO 240 or BIO 245 & 246 with a grade of C or greater OR GPA of 12 credit hours of college credit earned which must include BIO 240 or BIO 245 & BIO 246 with a grade of C or greater at the time of application.  Once you have earned 12 hours of college credit, the ACt will no longer be considered for admission.  Microbiology must also be completed before entering the 3rd semester of the program--worth 30% of application score.
  • GPA of all required sciences--worth 30% of application score
  • Number or prerequisites courses completed--worth 10% of application score

• After admission to the nursing program, students must complete HPE 101 with a C or better before beginning the nursing program.
• Students must achieve a C or better in all general education, prerequisite, and nursing courses; courses with less than a C must be repeated as noted in the nursing curriculum.
• Clinical sites are varied throughout the local area and may require travel of up to 25-30 miles from ECC. Typical clinical assignments are: Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Sherman Hospital, Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Delnor Community Hospital, Centegra Hospitals of McHenry and Woodstock, St. Alexius Medical Center, and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.
• Students must comply with all orientation and policies of each clinical site.
• Students must comply with all clinical and program dress codes as follows: official ECC uniforms; student ID badges; no artificial fingernails; only clear (light) nail polish; visible piercing and tattoos must be covered or removed; white shoes without markings. Other requirements are listed in the nursing student handbook.
• Clinical sites, days and times are subject to change each semester due to scheduling and faculty availability.