collageEarn your Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing with this 68-credit-hour degree program. Nursing is one of the most in-demand occupations, and employment is expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate in the coming years. This program will prepare you to provide quality care for clients across their lifespans in a variety of health care settings.
Learn from highly trained faculty members who regularly engage in professional development opportunities to provide cutting-edge teaching methods and clinical information. Practice your skills in Harper College’s Nursing Laboratory, a state-of-the-art simulated clinical environment.
Upon completion of this program, you’ll qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for Illinois licensure as a registered nurse.
This is a limited-enrollment program. Please review this program’s admission criteria and process.
Harper College is offering this program at the single rate of tuition until Spring 2022 semester.
A.A.S. degree program plan
This 68 credit-hour program is designed to enable students to receive an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing at the completion of the two-year sequence. The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc (ACEN).
The Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing qualifies the graduate for NCLEX-RN and application for Illinois licensure as a registered nurse. Legal limitations could prohibit an individual from taking this licensing examination. Questions regarding these restrictions should be directed to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations at 217.782.8556. Positions are available in a variety of health care settings.
Because of the nature of clinical experiences and individual instruction required in this program, specialized technology and the equipment necessary to offer this program, a higher tuition rate is assessed for career-specific courses. These include courses with the NUR prefix. Tuition for these courses in this program is 200 percent of the standard tuition rate.
Admission Requirements:
Nursing is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu
Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
Upon admission to the Nursing program, the mathematics requirement is met.
PREREQUISITES:
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 160 | Human Anatomy1 | 4 | AAS General Education |
| BIO 161 | Human Physiology1 | 4 | AAS General Education |
| ENG 101 | Composition | 3 | AAS General Education |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology+ | 3 | AAS General Education |
FIRST SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 130 | Microbiology1 | 4 | AAS General Education |
| NUR 110 | Nursing Concepts, Roles and Practice | 3 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 112 | Fundamentals of Nursing Practice | 3 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 180 | Pathophysiology | 3 | Program Requirement |
| PSY 228 | Psychology of Human Development | 3 | AAS General Education |
SECOND SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 140 | Adult Health Concepts I | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 141 | Adult Health Clinical I | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 150 | Psychosocial Concepts | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 151 | Psychosocial Concepts Clinical | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 210 | Physical Assessment | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 213 | Advanced Pharmacology2 | 2 | Program Requirement |
ELECTIVE (Optional):
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 195 | Transition to Professional Nursing3 | 2 | Optional Course |
| NUR 196 | Transition to Professional Nursing Clinical3 | 1 | Optional Course |
THIRD SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUR 201 | Child Bearing Concepts | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 202 | Adult Health Concepts II | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 205 | Pediatric Health Concepts | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 220 | Child Bearing Clinical | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 240 | Adult Health Clinical II | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 250 | Pediatric Health Clinical | 2 | Program Requirement |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 | AAS General Education |
FOURTH SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities or Social and Behavioral Science4 | 3 | AAS General Education | |
| NUR 216 | Adult Health Concepts III | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 218 | Role Transition Seminar | 1 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 260 | Adult Health Clinical III | 2 | Program Requirement |
| NUR 280 | Role Transition Practicum | 3 | Program Requirement |
1 – Must be completed no earlier than five years prior to beginning the Nursing program.
+ – This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
2 – Must be completed no earlier than two years prior to beginning the Nursing program.
3 – These courses are required for LPNs transitioning into RN program.
4 – See full list of AAS General Education Electives. Request Info Apply
Program learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program are able to:
- Safety: Plan, implement and evaluate strategies to minimize risk of harm to patients and providers.
- Communication/Teamwork/Informatics: Collaborate with the healthcare team to effectively communicate with patients and families using verbal, written and electronic methods.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Utilize evidence-based clinical reasoning to improve patient outcomes.
- Wellness/Health Promotion Teaching: Provide and evaluate patient education plans across the continuum of care to promote wellness throughout the lifespan.
- Professional Identity: Develop a professional identity through behaviors that demonstrate integrity, respect, responsibility, legal and ethical practice, teamwork, and commitment to learning.
Student achievement outcome data
Registered Nursing Program
| Year | Harper ADN Pass Rate | State Pass Rate | National Pass Rate | Completion Rate | Job Placement |
| 2016 | 90% (74/82) | 85% | 85% | 64% | 91% |
| 2017 | 92% (80/87) | 86% | 87% | 77% | 91% |
| 2018 | 95% (116/122) | 88% | 88% | 76% | 89% |
| 2019 | 92% (108/118) | 88% | 88% | 72% | 97% |
The Registered Nursing program maintains accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The next accreditation site visit will be September 18–20. program is accredited through Fall 2026.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3343 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404.975.5000
Fax: 404.975.5020
Nursing Program approved by:
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington
Springfield, IL 62786
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