nursing students giving flu shots

LPN to RN Articulation

The LPN – RN Articulation pathway offers you, as a Licensed Practical Nurse, with an active Illinois license in good standing, the educational mobility to advance your educational and nursing practice level to that of a Registered Professional Nurse. We offer an LPN to RN articulation program that can be completed in one year at which point you can apply for the Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing. The Associate Degree Nursing program prepares you for entry level as a Registered Nurse (RN). Successful graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.


Registered professional nurses work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients recover from and cope with illness. Registered professional nurses assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate care to patients; assist physicians with treatments and examinations; administer medications, and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. They also provide patient education to clients and families to help improve or maintain the optimum level of health.


Application dates

You must meet with the Sandburg nursing academic advisor prior to applying to the program between October 1 and March 1. The application deadline date is March 1 for fall semester enrollment. 

LPN to RN Articulation requires candidates submit a TEAS test score or valid SAT or ACT test score to be considered for admissions. Those interested in free preparation materials for the TEAS test should express interest in the Sandburg PATH to TEAS Excellence program.

If you're interested in this program:

STEPS TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION FOR LPN TO RN ARTICULATION PROGRAM

  1. If you have not already done so, complete the steps to enroll as a Carl Sandburg College student.
     
  2. Once you receive the email from the Welcome Center with your student ID, log into mySandburg to find the Apply for Limited Enrollment Programs tile, select the link for your selected program, and complete and submit the application.
     
  3. Pay the $50 non-refundable application fee.

  4. Submit transcripts to verify prior degrees or courses required if you have not already done so.

  5. Submit official scores for TEAS/ACT/SAT for the points calculation. Note: TEAS scores are valid for two years, and SAT and ACT scores are valid for five years.

  6. Monitor mySandburg and your Sandburg email accounts for status updates for your application.

The online application is available only through mySandburg.

 

Admission requirements

The LPN to RN Articulation has limited enrollment and a selection process for admission into the program. Refer to the eligibility & admission requirements for this program to learn more.

The applicant's TEAS test score, SAT or ACT score is a factor that contributes to eligibility for enrollment in this program. In the 2023-24 academic year, those interested in LPN to RN Articulation enrollment have the opportunity to join the Sandburg PATH to TEAS Excellence program. At no cost to applicants, the Sandburg PATH to TEAS Excellence program provides access to TEAS test preparation materials. Those that successfully complete the practice tests are eligible for reimbursement of one official TEAS test.

The following classes may not be more than five years old at time of application.

  • NAD 130 — Pharmacology for Nurses
  • NAD 108 — Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning
  • NAD 106 — Medication Principles for Nurses

*These classes are offered in the Spring semester each year and must be completed prior to the Summer start date.

We will consider for selection review only those applicants who submit the online program application by the deadline date and have met all admission requirements. We evaluate all qualified applicants according to a point system that allows an objective means for selection ranking. We select applicants with the highest point totals first.

We will notify you approximately two weeks after the application deadline date as to whether or not you are accepted into the program. If accepted into the nursing program, you must attend a mandatory program orientation session.

If accepted, you will be required to possess Healthcare Provider CPR certification throughout the program, show proof of immunizations and required titers, TB test, physical examination, criminal background check and drug screen. Findings on the criminal background check and drug screen may void conditional admission and prevent entrance to the program, and findings on the physical examination and drug screen may prevent placement at the clinical sites.

Although the COVID-19 vaccination is not an admission requirement, most clinical sites require vaccination against COVID-19. Students should check with their program coordinator for more details.

If a student is unable to participate in and/or complete clinical/practicum/internship courses required for the program due to a positive drug test which includes marijuana, they are not eligible for a refund of any tuition, fees, or other expenses incurred while preparing for admission into the program and while enrolled in the program.

Career and technical programs/courses are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status in any group protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Title IX Coordinator: 309.341.5258. ADA/504 Coordinator: 309.341.5262.

For additional information contact:
The Welcome Center
Phone: 309.345.3500
welcomecenter@sandburg.edu

Employment

Employment opportunities include, but are not limited to hospitals, clinics and physician offices, long-term care/rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, public health facilities, schools, churches, informatics, correctional facilities and insurance companies. The demand for registered professional nurses is very high and expected to increase. It is projected that the employment of RNs will grow 16% from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Growth will occur for a number of reasons, including an increased emphasis on preventive care; growing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for healthcare services from the baby-boom population, as they live longer and more, active lives. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

Registered Nurse

Acute Care Nurse

Critical Care Nurse

 

Working conditions

Most healthcare facilities provide a safe and comfortable working environment. Care is required around the clock, often in eight- or 12-hour shifts, weekends and holidays, and may involve on-call work. Schools, offices and clinics may offer more traditional work hours. The Registered Nurse provides direct patient care and must be able to obtain the knowledge (cognitive function), skills (psychomotor function) and demonstrate professionalism (affective function). Please refer to the Essential Skills & Abilities of a Registered Nurse to determine if you are able to meet these functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

GRADUATES FROM THIS PROGRAM PURSUE CAREERS IN FIELDS SUCH AS:

In your area, people working as

 

typically make

 

Learn more.

View a sample schedule for LPN to RN Articulation.

 

PROGRAM FORMAT

Courses in this program are offered face-to-face in the classroom.

 

CLASS FORMATS

Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit the needs of our students. To determine the formats for specific courses, please refer to our course schedule.

Regardless of the course format, you should have access to a reliable computer with broadband (high-speed) internet. All courses use online resources and require students to access course information through mySandburg. Accessing courses through a phone is discouraged. Both campuses have open computer labs for student use.

View class formats.

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THE LPN to RN Articulation PROGRAM

View the LPN to RN Articulation cost sheet.


FINANCIAL AID

To apply for financial aid, visit our financial aid page for more information.

 

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Contact the local office to see if you qualify for financial support. 

  • Hancock County | 550 N. Madison St. | Carthage, IL | 217.357.6749      
  • Warren/Henderson County |1025 S. 2nd St | Monmouth, IL | 309.734.4745
  • Knox County Bondi Building | 311 E. Main, Suite 612 | Galesburg, IL | 309.343.9832               
  • McDonough County | 440 N. Lafayette | Macomb, IL | 309.837.1280


SCHOLARSHIPS

Thanks to our generous donors, the Carl Sandburg College Foundation is able to award more than $100,000 each year in scholarship dollars to Sandburg students. High school, adult learners and returning students can apply between October 1 and March 15 for the upcoming year.

If I am not admitted to the program or placed on an alternative list and no spaces are available, do I have to apply again? 

Yes, if you're not admitted to the program, including being placed on the alternate list, and no spaces became available, application files will not carry over to the next year. You would need to complete the application/admission process again for the next admission year.

How do you evaluate applications?

Only those applicants who submit the online program application by the deadline date and have met all admission requirements will be considered. All qualified applicants are evaluated according to a point system that allows an objective means for selection ranking. Applicants with the highest point totals are selected first.

When will I know if I am accepted to the program?

Applicant acceptance status will be one of the following:

  • Conditionally admitted
  • Placed on the alternate list
  • Denied
You will be notified approximately two weeks after the application deadline date whether or not you have been accepted into the nursing program. If you receive conditional admission or alternate status into the program, you will be notified via email. If you're denied admission, you will receive notification via U.S. mail.

How do I hold my seat if I am accepted?

Applicants conditionally admitted will have 14 calendar days from the date of your conditional admission email to pay the $50 seat fee (intent to enter) to the Carl Sandburg College Business Office to hold your seat in the nursing program.

Will I receive credit for the $50 to hold my seat? 

For the student fully or conditionally admitted to the program, the $50 seat fee is applied to your tuition. If no tuition or fees balance remains, the seat fee will be refunded after the financial aid refund after the 100% drop date for 16-week courses. If an entity other than the student paid the seat fee, the student will not receive a refund. Students who accept their seats and withdraw for any reason forfeit the seat fee. Alternates who are not admitted will receive a refund.

I have been conditionally admitted; do I need to attend orientation?

Conditionally admitted applicants and those on the alternate list must attend the mandatory admission orientation session. Information regarding registration for the mandatory admission orientation session is provided in the admission status email. At the orientation, program information is provided to complete all the necessary nursing program requirements for full admission status.

Those conditionally admitted who do not register for and attend the mandatory admission orientation session forfeit their conditional admission, and your seat will be offered to an alternate. Alternates who do not register for or attend the mandatory admission orientation session forfeit their alternate position.

I have been conditionally admitted; when will I know my full admission status?

Full admission status is provided after the conditionally admitted applicant attends the mandatory admission orientation session, appropriately completes all program requirements and submits all required admission documents by the designated deadline.

Our cooperative agreements

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing is a not-for-profit nursing college, offering degrees ranging from bachelor’s degrees through doctoral degrees in nursing. Sandburg’s agreement offers students who receive their RN degree from Sandburg the ability to transfer into their BSN program.

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

Saint Francis College of Nursing offers five guaranteed seats into their BSN program after completing the RN degree meeting certain GPA requirements at Carl Sandburg College. For more information, please contact the nursing office at 309.341.5299.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing

Carl Sandburg College and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) offer an accelerated path to a bachelor’s in nursing (BS) that allows you to complete your general education courses at Sandburg, earning an associate degree in nursing, and completing your baccalaureate nursing coursework online through SIUE. You can take classes at Sandburg and begin a job in your profession while then working online to obtain your BS from SIUE.  

The University of Illinois-Chicago Dual Admissions Pathway for RN To BSN Degree

Under the agreement, the dual-admissions pathway allows nursing students to earn an associate degree in nursing at Sandburg while at the same time enrolling in identified courses that are part of the online UIC RN to BSN degree completion program and working in your home region. Upon successful completion of Sandburg's ADN program, you will be awarded an associate degree and continue your progress in the UIC online RN to BSN program. UIC will confer the bachelor's degree in nursing after graduation requirements are met. 

University of Arkansas Grantham 

Carl Sandburg College and the University of Arkansas Grantham offer students who receive their RN degree from Sandburg the ability to transfer into their BSN program.

 

View a complete list of our cooperative agreements.

Program outcomes

Programs outcomes

 

2020

2021

2022

NCLEX-RN pass rate

80%

56%

87%

Job placement rate

100%

100%

100%

Completion rate

100%

100%

96%

SAFETY

You will evaluate and analyze the client’s and family’s surroundings to identify potential safety concerns to establish and promote a safe environment for your patients/clients and others.

 

PATIENT-CENTERED CARE

You will analyze your client and family needs, and create a compassionate and culturally sensitive plan of care based on clients’ physiological, psychological, sociological, spiritual, and cultural needs, preferences and values.

 

TEAMWORK/COLLABORATION

You will contribute to, function within and, when appropriate, adopt a leadership role within multidisciplinary healthcare teams to create and foster open communication, mutual respect and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care.

 

CRITICAL THINKING AND CLINICAL JUDGMENT

You will actualize critical thinking skills (interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference and explanation) to make professional clinical judgments regarding patient/client clinical responses.

 

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

You will apply and integrate strategic knowledge of best evidence-based practice and standards of care with clinical expertise for the delivery of optimal healthcare, while maintaining client choice and preferences.

 

INFORMATICS

You will effectively generate and apply current information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error and support decision making.

ACCREDITATION

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Carl Sandburg College, located in Galesburg, IL, holds full accreditation status by the 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. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm 

The Illinois State Board of Nursing (ISBN) and the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) have approved the Associate Degree Nursing program.

 


LICENSURE

Graduates may apply to write for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN). Upon successful completion of this exam, the student is eligible to apply for Registered Nurse licensure in any state. Graduates will need to complete a criminal background check at the time of licensure application and will be evaluated by ISBN before licensure is granted or denied. Please be advised that the Illinois State Board of Nursing (ISBN) can deny nursing licensure and discipline those that are licensed. You can access all licensing and nursing scope of practice regulations at IDFPR.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

Emily Schaeffer, DNP, MSN RN
Dean of Nursing Professions

Stacy Bainter, MSN, RN
Coordinator, Practical Nursing Program
Coordinator, Basic Nursing Assistant Program
Instructor, Nursing

Tina Braun-Smith, MSN RN
Instructor, Nursing 

Christina Stone, MSN, RN
Coordinator, Associate Degree Nursing
Assistant Professor, Nursing

Tammi Lewis, MSN RN
Instructor, Nursing

Nicole Lepper, MSN RN
Instructor, Nursing

Cindy Koepp, MSN, RN
Instructor, Nursing

Anneke McGruder, MSN, RN
Instructor, Nursing

 


Department of Health Professions
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
309.341.5299 

Student organizations

Associate Degree Nursing Club — First Year

This club is for first-year RN students. We will meet to keep us all informed and together on our classes’ activities, study groups and any professional medical seminars or exhibits that would benefit us as nursing students.

Associate Degree Nursing Club — Second Year

To promote and foster the future of professional nursing with visionary leadership, elevating the level of community health knowledge, and unity through social and cultural activities.

Advisor: Christina Stone: 309.341.5292 | cstone@sandburg.edu

View a list of all student organizations.