The Career
Registered nurses (RNs) are hands-on professionals who provide focused and highly personalized care. These professionals promote health, prevent disease and help patients and families cope with illness. The have a unique scope of practice, yet work corroboratively with all members of the healthcare team.
Registered nurses assess a patient’s health and help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results. They also operate medical equipment, administer a variety of treatments and medications and assist with patient follow-up/rehabilitation. In addition, these healthcare professionals develop and manage a nursing plan of care, educate people on a variety of health issues and serve as advocates for patients, families and communities.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) also have a unique scope of practice. LPNs can become registered nurses with further education; those who have advanced their education to become RNs have many opportunities to diversify their employment and increase their earnings.
Professional Traits
Those pursuing a RN career should:
- Be caring and empathetic
- Have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Be dependable, supportive and detail-oriented
- Have the emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies and other stresses
- Be able to direct and supervise others
Employment and Salary Information
The registered nurse profession is experiencing faster-than-average job growth, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2020, the number of positions is expected to increase by 26 percent.
In May 2013, the median annual earnings of these professionals were $66,220. The middle 50 percent earned between $54,180 and $80,190. The lowest 10 percent earned $45,630, and the highest 10 percent earned $96,320.
* Effective for admissions January 2016: a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater will be required
The Program
ECC offers a LPN to RN Bridge program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing, designed to provide students who hold a Missouri LPN license the educational mobility to complete the RN classes in a format that specifically meets their needs. The evening and every-other-weekend format allows LPNs to still work while taking courses.
The nursing program is three semesters in length with a one semester, bridge-specific prerequisite course. All of the program prerequisites and general education requirements must be completed prior to the nursing courses. Prerequisites can be completed either part-time or full-time.
The LPN to RN Bridge program, offered at the ECC-Rolla location, utilizes some distance-learning technology to enhance access and flexibility. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to apply to write the NCLEX-RN Exam for licensure as registered nurses.
Admissions Requirements
To enter this course of study, students must meet these institution and program-specific criteria:
- High school diploma or the equivalent (documentation sent to the registration office)
- Application for admission to ECC
- A placement test as specified by the college (some courses require minimum placement results)
- An undisciplined Missouri LPN license
- Cumulative college GPA of 2.5* or greater
- HESI A2 Admission Test taken in the last two years with a composite greater than 75 percent
- Score of 700 or better on the HESI LPN to RN Mobility Exam
- Completion of prerequisites with a “C” or better
- Satisfactory criminal background check and drug screening once accepted into the program
- A completed nursing application on file by the specified deadline (available on the ECC Web site under the “Academic & Degree Programs” link)
Transfer Options
The AAS degree is designed for students seeking employment right after graduation. However, many of the credits, particularly the general education electives, are accepted as transfer credit by four-year schools. These decisions are made by those institutions, not ECC. Students wanting to transfer are advised to contact the institution of their choice before reviewing or beginning other ECC degree plans. The college has articulation agreements with several BSN completion programs to promote a seamless progression to the next educational level.
Accreditation
The ECC Nursing Program has the full approval of the Missouri State Board of Nursing (MSBN).
East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
800-621-7440
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