East Central College

Nursing Programs Offered

ADN Program Details

In response to today's rapid changes in health care, there continues to be a growing need for Registered Nurses in diverse settings. Registered nurses are essential members of the health team. A majority practice in hospitals, though a growing number are employed in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and home health care agencies. Others work in community-based facilities such as outpatient surgery centers and rehabilitation centers. Still others practice in community health, industrial or school nursing, clinics, physicians' offices or as private duty nurses.

East Central College offers two programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. The main campus in Union and the Rolla site offer a complete generic program (pre-licensure) for those interested in becoming a Registered Nurse. An LPN to RN Bridge program is available on the Rolla campus for LPNs in the area interested in becoming a Registered Nurse. Upon completion of either program, graduates are eligible to apply to write the NCLEX-RN Exam for licensure as a registered nurse. Students must be 19 years of age at the time of writing the NCLEX-RN Exam.

The generic program on the Union and Rolla campuses include 74 credit hours: 42 of nursing and 32 of General Education. Full-time students take the nursing hours over four semesters and one summer. However, prior to acceptance into the nursing program, students may take general education requirements of the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum. Nursing courses are sequenced and include supervised practicum in a variety of health care agencies. This affords the student an opportunity to practice skills and apply knowledge learned in the classroom. Completion of the East Central College Associate Degree Nursing Program does not guarantee eligibility to write the NCLEX. The Missouri State Board of Nursing may refuse licensure to graduates for reasons listed in RSMo 335.066. Upon passing this exam the individual will be licensed as a registered professional nurse.

Thirty students are selected and admitted one time a year in the Fall semester at the Union campus and sixteen at the Rolla site. Specific admission requirements must be met prior to acceptance. Advanced placement into the generic Associate Degree Nursing program at Union campus and Rolla site is available for Licensed Practical Nurses. ECC has articulation agreements with Four Rivers Career Center in Washington, Missouri and Rolla Technical Center in Rolla, Missouri. LPNs who have started their advanced education within three years of graduation, from the above LPN program, are eligible for articulation credit for Fundamentals of Nursing, Nutrition, and Human Growth and Development. All LPNs should consult with the Director of Nursing.