Sept. 23, 2010
Illinois Valley Community College recently signed a partnership agreement with Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, Peoria. The primary purpose of the agreement is to offer a smooth transition of IVCC students who have successfully completed the Saint Francis pre-nursing requirements at IVCC into Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) degree program.
“This is a significant agreement that allows IVCC pre-nursing students after two years at IVCC to advance into a bachelor’s program with a highly respected nursing institution offering excellence in education in a supportive environment,” said Jim Stevenson, IVCC transfer coordinator and interim dean of Student Development. IVCC counselors met with Ibbie Voltz, professional nurse recruiter, from St. Francis to discuss program admission requirements and details of the agreement.
This two plus two program provides opportunities for Saint Francis College to recruit students who are academically well prepared and aligned with the mission of its BSN degree.
IVCC students covered by this agreement will complete 62 required pre-nursing courses and then transfer to Saint Francis to complete the 62 required hours in the nursing major leading to a BSN degree and Registered Nurse certification.
Students participating in the partnership will receive advisement from both institutions to assist them in the timely completion of the degree. Saint Francis staff will be invited to make group presentations to IVCC students who may wish to matriculate into the BSN program.
Pre-nursing students seeking admission must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale, completed two of four required lab sciences, and 30 semester hours of acceptable credit.
The first five students who apply for admission to either fall or spring semesters and meet the criteria will be accepted tentatively for admission. Once those five spots are filled, applications will go into a general pool and become competitive. For students applying under the Partnership Agreement the $50 application fee will be waived by including as part of their application documentation from an IVCC counselor that they are participants in this program.
Each semester, 90 seats are available in this program. IVCC pre-nursing students who have a 3.6 or higher GPA are automatically accepted. In the past, those with a minimum of a 3.3 GPA have been admitted.
Saint Francis Hospital in Peoria currently guarantees full-time paid employment to 10 graduates each year. For these students St. Francis provides scholarships of $4,000 for each of the student’s final three semesters of the program.