Riverland Community College offers a nursing pathway that allows the students upward mobility. Upon completion of the first year of the program the student is awarded the practical nursing diploma and advanced standing. At this point the student has several options:

1. The nursing student may sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing and apply at a later date to complete the second year of the pathway to obtain their Associate Degree in Nursing.
2. The nursing student may sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing and choose to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse after success on the State Board Exam and continue on to the second year of the program.
3. The nursing student may choose not to sit for the NCLEX- PN but may continue in the nursing program.

If the nursing student chooses to continue in the nursing pathway and completes the second year of the program the nursing student will be awarded an Associate Degree in Nursing and is prepared and eligible to apply for the NCLEX- RN.

Meeting qualifications for the nursing program does not ensure admission to the program. Based on the number of applicants and the number of class seats available, the Nursing Program Admission Committee will review applications, following the deadline. All applicants will receive a letter of notification of their application status.

General education courses may be taken prior to acceptance into the nursing program; however, if the student has not completed them at that time, they must be taken in specific semesters during the two year program. Check course descriptions for prerequisites.

PLEASE NOTE: Students must have been admitted to the nursing program before they can register for any NURS course.

The Nursing Program Pathway requires a separate program application and admission requirements. See Nursing Pathway Program requirements

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