Nursing (Pre-BSN)
Pre-Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Two types of academic programs lead to RN licensure: associate degree programs (ADN) and baccalaureate programs (BSN). Both programs prepare individuals to give direct patient care, but graduates of an ADN program have more limited career mobility.
The baccalaureate degree is required for public health nursing, school nursing and most supervisory positions at the unit manager level, and to enter most graduate nursing programs. In Illinois, a master's degree in nursing is required to teach in ADN, BSN or graduate-level nursing education programs.
College of DuPage students interested in pursuing the bachelor's degree in nursing can earn an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree while they fulfill all prerequisites for admission to a BSN nursing program. The Pre-Nursing program has been developed for this purpose. The ADN Nursing program, described in another program guide, is designed for students who plan to practice as a registered nurse (RN) immediately after graduation. Other educational institutions offer degree-completion programs for ADN nurses who later decide to pursue their BSN. Degree-completion programs generally can be completed in four to six semesters.
Job Description and Career Opportunities
RNs provide direct care and treatment for patients, supervise, and work as members of interdisciplinary teams in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, home health services, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory clinics and physicians' offices. Bedside services that RNs provide include injections, blood transfusions, intravenous feedings and dispensing of medications. BSNs also work in the public schools, in supervisory/managerial positions in nursing, and in the health department where they perform comprehensive health appraisals and provide patient education.
To practice as an RN, individuals must graduate from an accredited two-year associate degree program (ADN) or four-year baccalaureate program (BSN) and pass the national licensing examination. An RN must have a baccalaureate degree for employment as a public health nurse or school nurse, and for most supervisory/managerial positions at the unit manager level and above.
The employment outlook for RNs in all settings is excellent due to the prevailing shortage of nursing personnel.
On-campus BSN Opportunities
Enrollment Information
Obtain a list of specific prerequisites required for admission to the BSN program(s) you would like to attend. You can obtain these directly from the transfer institution and, for some in-state schools, from COD's Counseling and Advising Services. Work with the Counseling and Advising Services to select COD courses that fulfill these prerequisites.
Program Requirements
Please consult a faculty advisor listed below before beginning your coursework.
Degree
- Associate in Science
When planning your coursework, use the Student Planning Worksheet. Degree information
and the worksheet can be found on the following files:
Student Planning Worksheet
Course Descriptions
Faculty Advisors
If you are considering this program as an area of study, consult with a faculty advisor in this field. To send an email, click on the name of the advisor you wish to reach:
Donna Badowski
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2202E, (630) 942-8329
Linda Barkoozis
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2207P, (630) 942-2569
Robert Berry
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2207Q, (630) 942-2568
Theresa Bucy
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2022H, (630) 942-8330
Rosa Colella-Melki
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2202R, (630) 942-3445
Larinda Dixon
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2207D, (630) 942-3363
Dilyss Gallyot
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2202S, (630) 942-3238
Maureen Gohde
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2207G, (630) 942-5429
Janice Miller
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2207A, (630) 942-2318
Kimberly Oosterhouse
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2202V, (630) 942-3050
Carol Stewart
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2202G, (630) 942-2160
Maureen Waller
Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 2207C, (630) 942-2204
If you are unable to contact an advisor, messages may be left with the Health and Sciences Division, Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 1220, (630) 942-8331.
2012 College of DuPage
