Nursing Education – RN
Overview of the Nursing Education Program
Applications for Spring 2026, Day Nursing Education program are open from April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025.
Applications for Summer 2026, LPN Bridge Nursing Education program are open September 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025.
Applications for Fall 2026, Day Nursing Education program are open September 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025.
Applications for Fall 2026, Evening Nursing Education program are open September 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025.
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Students must apply and be formally accepted into the Nursing Education program prior to enrolling in any NE courses. Requirements to apply: – Online application is available in your eSTORM Student Center – Online Application Procedures
– Download the Spring Day NE Planning Guide for Application Requirements – Download the Fall Day OR Evening NE Planning Guide for Application Requirements *EVENING program classes will be held during the EVENING at the Granite City Campus. Although courses will be held in the evening, hospital clinicals will take place during the DAY (weekdays and/or weekends). – Download the LPN Bridge/Advanced Standing Planning Guide for Application Requirements To get started:
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Program Capacity
The Nursing Education program generally accepts 80 traditional students at the Belleville campus.
The Nursing Education spring program generally accepts 16 traditional students at the Belleville campus.
The LPN Bridge program generally accepts 16 students at the Belleville campus.
The Nursing Education evening program generally accepts 16 traditional students at the Granite City campus.
Program Location
General Education Courses
The required general education courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City, Red Bud campuses or online.
Nursing Education Courses
The NE program courses are only offered at the Belleville Campus during the day and in the evening at Granite City.
Clinical Education Experiences
Students begin clinical experience in the first semester and throughout the remainder of the program. Immunizations, vaccinations, background check, and drug screenings are required prior to clinical experiences. Information will be provided upon acceptance into the program. Specific clinical placements cannot be guaranteed.
Program Cost
Nursing Education Degree program
For details, see the NE cost sheet.
LPN Bridge/Advanced Standing Degree program
For details, see the LPN Bridge cost sheet.
Financial assistance is available!
Financial aid is available subject to financial need and satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the college.
The student work program does not require financial aid eligibility.
The SWIC Foundation offers over 300 scholarships based on residency, enrollment and GPA criteria.
Time Commitment
Nursing Education courses are offered during the day or evening, and clinical hours are scheduled in the day, evenings and weekends. The traditional Nursing Education courses can be completed in four semesters. The LPN Bridge Nursing Education courses can be completed in three semesters. It is recommended that if employed, students complete non-NE pre-fix courses prior to entrance into the program.
Student schedules are determined by courses and clinical site placement. Students within the same course may have different schedules due to clinical placement. To complete the program, students must be willing to adapt their schedules as needed.
Students are responsible for their own transportation and attendance to all classes and clinicals assigned by the program.
Nursing Education Handbook
View the NE handbook.
Program Accreditation
IDFPR Approval
The SWIC Nursing Education program is a member of the National League for Nursing Council of Associate Degree Nursing Programs and is approved by:
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
100 Randolph, Suite 9-300
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-4500
ACEN Accreditation
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 Continuing Accreditation.
Verification of program accreditation can be viewed on the ACEN website.
NCLEX-RN EXAM Licensure Requirements
After successful completion of the Nursing Education program, students are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination, graduates apply for licensure as a registered professional nurse.
If students plan to be licensed/employed outside the state of Illinois please review the requirements for each state to ensure Southwestern Illinois College coursework meets states’ requirements. Links to the requirements for each state can be found at the National Council for States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm
After written documentation confirming successful completion of NCLEX-RN has been received by the graduate, the graduate can be employed in a license-pending category and work under the supervision of an RN, until the Illinois license has been received. Graduates seeking licensure in a state other than Illinois are required to follow the regulations of that state.
*Graduates who successfully pass the NCLEX may also opt to continue their education at institutions that offer RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs.
Graduate Outcome Measures
Completion Rates, Licensure Pass Rates, and Employment
View the Nursing Education program’s Graduate Outcome Measures.
To compare SWIC graduate licensure pass rates to other Illinois colleges, go to the Illinois Center for Nursing: Illinois Approved Nursing Education Program Pass Rates – Last 5 Years
Need more information
For more information, please fill out the contact form.
CONTACT THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Elizabeth.alvarez@swic.edu
618-641-5009
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