Nursing: RN

The title of Registered Nurse (RN) gives you the greatest diversity in selection of work settings, as well as the greatest salary. The minimum education for testing for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registerd Nurse (NCLEX-RN) is an Associate Degree, which is available at Rend Lake College. A student of nursing may also receive a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Nursing. All levels of education take the same national test and receive the same licensure. These advanced degrees are required for some jobs, but most Registered Nurses have an Associate Degree.

A hospital staff nurse evaluates plans, implements, and documents nursing care for an assigned patient population, assists physicians during examinations and procedures, performs various patient tests and administers medications within the scope of practice of the registered nurse and promotes patients' independence by establishing patient care goals and teaching patient and family to understand conditions, medications, and self-care skills. The registered nurse must be familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field and relies on experience, critical thinking, and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. The RN performs a variety of tasks and a wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

Typically, the RN reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Settings include hospitals, offices, clinics, homes, public health organizations, industry, schools (elementary/secondary and collegiate), and parishes.

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program for NCLEX-RN preparation at Rend Lake College requires you to have completed an LPN education from an accredited program such as RLC's. You may then complete the one-year ADN program.

Typical salaries for RNs vary dramatically based upon area of work and responsibilities. On average, the starting salary is about $17 - $20 per hour. Currently, with the nursing shortage, there are wonderful bonuses and benefits offered.

PRECEPTORSHIPS: The Associate Degree Nursing program at Rend Lake College utilizes a preceptor concept whereby students are paired with working nurses in hospitals or clinics. The students work alongside their preceptors during regular work shifts. This activity has proven to provide exceptional experiences for our nursing students just prior to graduation from the nursing program. Preceptorships are currently established with St. Mary’s Good Samaritan, Inc. on both the Mt. Vernon and Centralia campuses, Herrin Hospital, Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro, and Crossroads Hospital in Mt. Vernon, with potential for additional sites.

Click Here to view the RN Brochure (.pdf)

Click Here to view the RN Program as Listed in the RLC Catalog (.pdf)

Nursing Programs:

2010 ADN

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