The board of trustees of the University of Illinois, on behalf of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing and UIC Extended Campus, and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), now offer a dual-admissions pathway from the City Colleges of Chicago Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN program) to UIC’s online RN to Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) degree-completion program.
Watch ABC 7 Chicago’s news story on the UIC/CCC nursing pathway and meet Malcolm X College nursing graduate, Contrell Lee.
With nursing shortages projected to continue, the career outlook for registered nurses is excellent. In order to help meet workforce demands for highly skilled nurses, CCC and UIC have created a dual-admissions pathway for nursing students. Under the agreement, nursing students can earn an associate degree in nursing at CCC’s Malcolm X College while at the same time, enrolling in courses that are part of the fully online UIC RN to BSN degree completion program.
“This is better access to education for more diverse populations and we are excited to offer this degree pathway to our ADN students interested in getting their BSN,” said David Sanders, President of Malcolm X College. “For many of our student nurses, it will now be possible to earn their BSN more quickly and relatively inexpensively.”
“This agreement solidifies the relationship we already have with UIC and makes it a seamless transfer for our nurses. It will empower Malcolm X College’s incredible nurses to seamlessly continue on to UIC to earn their BSN while working in their field of expertise—so being able to earn their BSN online is key to their continued success,” said Juan Salgado, Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago.
“Healthcare is only getting more complex, and nurses are increasingly called upon to make critical decisions and lead collaborations,” says UIC College of Nursing Dean Eileen Collins. “With the clinical skills they learn at Malcolm X, and the leadership skills they learn at UIC, this program’s graduates will be invaluable assets to their employers and, most importantly, to their patients.”
ADN students in this program will also receive additional support to stay on track. This includes regular meetings with UIC academic advisors and support from City Colleges of Chicago
“If you are thinking about becoming a nurse and want to be locked into the BSN program offered at UIC, then now is the best time to apply to City Colleges of Chicago’s Associate Degree in Nursing program,” said Tammy Scott-Brand, Dean of Nursing at Malcolm X College. “This unique partnership between our nursing schools allows for a seamless transfer when it’s time to earn the BSN.”
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of registered nurses that is expected to intensify.
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment projections, the registered nurse workforce is expected to grow from 3 million in 2019 to 3.3 million in 2029.
After students successfully complete the ADN curriculum, they will be awarded their associate degree and continue their progress in the UIC online RN to BSN program as degree-seeking students. UIC will confer the bachelor’s degree in nursing after graduation requirements are met.
In 2021, CCC had approximately 75 ADN nursing graduates. CCC becomes the fifth Illinois community college system to offer a dual-admissions nursing program with UIC. Almost 600 students have graduated from UIC’s RN to BSN program since it went fully online in 2008.
“The MXC School of Nursing’s ADN program did an excellent job of preparing me to pass the NCLEX exam and continue my nursing education in the UIC RN to BSN program. The BSN is vital for improved quality of patient care as well as career advancement opportunities, and I am finding that UIC is providing me with excellent preparation for my future nursing career,” said Juanita Darby, MXC Nursing program alumna and current UIC student.
“Malcolm X College made it possible for me to become a registered nurse by graduating without tuition debt. Thanks to having my ADN, I was also given an immediate seat in the UIC RN to BSN program making it easier for me to jump right into my BSN classes while working and gaining experience. I wouldn’t have done my career path in nursing any other way,” said Yescenia Earp, MXC Nursing program Alumna.
For more information on the ADN + BSN Dual Admission Pathway visit www.ccc.edu/UICnursing.
