Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)-Registered Nurse

Quick facts about our program:

• Begins each Fall semester
• This is a two-semester program with courses during Fall and Spring
• 30 applicants will be accepted annually
• 10 at-large positions (*see the Admission Policy Statement below)

  Fall 2026 ADN nursing program application is open.

Free Book Rental does not apply to ADN and PN nursing programs. We apologize for any inconvenience.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM

Accreditation:

The Associate Degree in Nursing Program at Southeastern Illinois College at the Harrisburg Illinois campus is accredited by the: 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 Initial Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm

ADN Program Achievement Data:

The ADN program annually releases achievement data regarding graduates’ successes on the RN-NCLEX exam, completion of the program within 100% of the program duration, and graduates securing employment as entry-level registered nurses.

History:

Associate Degree Nursing education is a part of higher education and is established on generally accepted standards of a community college education. The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Southeastern Illinois College originated as a member of the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM) in 1975. SICCM comprises Southeastern Illinois College, John A. Logan College, Shawnee College, Rend Lake College, and the School of Technical Careers at Southern Illinois University. At a later date, the Associate Degree Nursing Program of each of these campuses established separate identities at the respective community college campuses. The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations.  In addition, Southeastern Illinois College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and schools.

Mission Statement:

The Mission and Philosophy of Southeastern Illinois College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program are compatible with the Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Institutional Goals for SIC.  The Associate Degree in Nursing program at SIC prepares future healthcare professionals to care for and connect with diverse populations through human caring processes.  Faculty are committed to excellence in teaching through evidence-based practice, integration, application, education, and discovery.  A perspective of transpersonal caring will prepare students to provide holistic care across the lifespan to those they see.

The mission and philosophy of the ADN program reflect SIC’s core values and are congruent with its mission/institutional goals.

In order to implement its mission, Southeastern Illinois College has adopted the following objectives:

1. Provide a general education program that creates a foundation for further study and enlightened citizenship.
2. Empower students to achieve their educational goals, enabling them to successfully live and work in a culturally diverse society.
3. Provide students access to quality transferable courses and programs.
4. Prepare students to succeed in a highly competitive workforce through career and technical education.
5. Provide opportunities in developmental and adult basic/secondary education.
6. Enhance learning by integrating educational opportunities in and out of the classroom.
7. Utilize existing and emerging technologies to equip students, enhance learning and provide services.
8. Sponsor award-winning, competitive, and service-oriented activities.
9. Offer lifelong learning opportunities to explore potentials, abilities, and interests.
10. Enrich and enhance the community through cultural and general interest events.
11. Provide resources, training and leadership for economic development of business and industry.
12. Provide a wide range of student and administrative services to support achievement of student learning and personal development.
13. Create a culture where assessment of student learning outcomes and college services are valued and used across the institution.
14. Responsibly manage the resources entrusted to the college on behalf of the community college district.
15. Establish and maintain mutually beneficial educational, corporate and community partnerships.

Associate Degree Nursing Program Philosophy:

The Associate Degree Nursing Program philosophy is consistent with the Southeastern Illinois College mission statement, which states:   “Southeastern Illinois College enhances lifelong learning by providing quality accessible educational programs, cultural enrichment opportunities, and support for economic development.”

Educational efforts of the Associate Degree Nursing Program are directed toward responding to the needs of individuals and the community to enable the student to acquire both the theory and skill base necessary for an entry-level professional nurse.

We believe that humans exist as unique individuals of worth.  A human is a bio-psycho-social being with certain basic needs.  While operating as open systems, which include individual, family and groups, humans are in a constant state of change striving toward order and organization.  Patterns of life-span development within this state of change are sequential and predictable.

Health is the internal state that enables each individual to adapt to life changes.  Health is a dynamic fluctuating state of change on the wellness-illness continuum and includes interactions with the physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual movement.

Learning process:

We believe that learning is a life-long process, which occurs in different ways at different rates and in a variety of settings.

The learning process is an interdependent, dynamic and continuous interaction between the teacher and students, and includes:

CURRICULUM DESIGN:  ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM

The program of learning is based on the six overarching competencies outlined in Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN):  (1) patient centered care; (2) teamwork and collaboration; (3) evidence-based practice; (4) quality improvement; (5) safety; (6) informatics.  Each course incorporates the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) necessary to assure ongoing improvement in the quality and safety of care delivered in the clinical setting.  QSEN competencies are integrated with the National League for Nursing (NLN) competencies of Caring, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, Ethics, and Patient Centeredness.

Southeastern Illinois College’s associate degree in nursing program utilizes the Neuman Systems model as a framework for the application of the QSEN competencies.  Use of this model allows the student to view every human being as a unique and total person characterized by five variables:  physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, spiritual, and developmental.  The patient is to be recognized as the most essential member of the interdisciplinary team and must be engaged in all steps of the care planning process.  Viewing the patient as a unique individual with autonomous collaboration with healthcare team members provides a foundation for delivery of patient-centered care.

QSEN’s definition of teamwork and collaboration is “Function effectively within nursing and inter-professional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.”  The Neuman Systems Model guides teamwork and collaboration by extending the nursing process to include multiple disciplines of care providing wholistic assessment of stressors, prioritization of goals, and appropriate plans of action.

As students develop leadership knowledge and skills such as delegation and collaboration, they are presented with scenarios and clinical experiences to embrace a broader scope of the patient care environment.  Clinical partners recognize the value of engaging students in dialogues regarding policies, quality assurance initiatives, evidence-based research regarding quality improvement, and the collaborative efforts necessary to achieve excellent outcomes.  The establishment of partnerships with community healthcare facilities allows exposure of the student to healthcare environments and guidance as they develop their leadership expertise.  Enabling the students to observe and participate in decision-making aligns with the Institute of Medicine’s goal of 90% of decisions to be made at the bedside by the year 2020.

The acquisition of clinical competency and clinical reasoning necessitates exposure to the best available evidence in both formal and informal education.  Southeastern Illinois College’s associate degree in nursing program strives to select course materials that emphasize empirical research and best practices.  QSEN’s competency of Evidence-Based Practice will be integrated into all curricular areas to ensure quality instruction and to emphasize the importance of life-long reliance on research data relevant to modern nursing practices.

Informatics is an integral component of nursing care.  Southeastern Illinois College recognizes the need for exposure to provide experiences that foster confidence and competencies in the use of electronic health records. Correct use of electronic media ensures effective communication and documentation that are essential for ensuring patient safety and assuring desirable outcomes in care.  Coordination of patient care, decision-making, use of safety systems, and use of information management tools are enhanced by a strong foundation in informatics.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Safety:  Apply safe, evidence based, holistic and competent nursing care.
2. Evidence-Based Practice:  Incorporate the nursing process with evidence-based practice to promote health, wellness, and disease prevention throughout the lifespan.
3. Teamwork and Collaboration:  Communicate, and collaborate while participating as a member within the multidisciplinary health care team.
4. Quality and Improvement:  Deliver quality nursing care and maintain continued professional growth and development in leadership and management skills.
5. Patient Centered Care:  Apply critical reasoning to deliver client-centered care and client education to a culturally diverse society.
6. Informatics:  Utilize informatics for communication and collaboration within the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
7. Integrity: Demonstrate professional conduct based upon ethical and legal standards established in the 2018 Illinois Nurse Practice Act.

State Licensure or Certification Information

Find information on the specific states the institution has determined its Associate Degree in Nursing program curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification regardless of modality.