Career Degrees & Certificates

Nursing

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Overview

It is the largest, most respected group of health care workers in the United States.

More than 2.7 million registered nurses are working in hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices, long-term care facilities and many nontraditional environments - and yet there is more need for nurses than any other health care profession as our population grows and ages.

For those who choose this gratifying, growing career, Waubonsee’s two associate degrees in nursing are accredited, respected, and empowering.

The Nursing Program has a special admissions process. Contact the Health Professions and Public Service office for further information at HPPS@waubonsee.edu.

Studying Nursing at Waubonsee

 

Nursing students develop expertise at Waubonsee, where our experienced instructors and state-of-the-art facility provide a dynamic setting for our highly-focused curriculum. Read the current Nursing Student Handbook to understand program requirements and expectations.

Classroom instruction, lab demonstrations and testing, peer review, and clinical practice shape skills; discussion around social, legal and political concepts affecting health care guide ethical approaches. The well-rounded education Waubonsee provides prepares nursing students for the future, which might include transferring to a four-year university for a specialized degree.

NCLEX Success

Upon completion of all college and program requirements, Waubonsee nursing graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) and historically score a passing percentage at or above the state and national average.

Year Waubonsee Average State of IL Average National Average
2019 85% 88% 88%
2020 86% 88% 88%
2021 81% 82% 82%
2022 92% 77% 80%
2023 90% 85% 89%

Student Achievement Outcome Data

Completion

GOAL: 80% of students who complete the nursing program do so within 6 semesters

Calendar
Year
Students Percent
2016 70/70 100%
2017 76/76 100%
2018 86/87 98.9%
2019 112/112 100%
2020 107/107 100%
Retention Rate

GOAL:  75% of students who begin the Registered Nursing Program at Waubonsee Community College will complete the program.

Calendar
Year
Students Percent
2014 54/70 77.1%
2015 86/101 85.2%
2016 78/85 91.8%
2017 88/104 84.6%
2018 115/135 85.2%
Graduate Placement

GOAL: 90% of students who respond to alumni follow-up will report employment in the nursing field (within 9 months of program completion).

Calendar
Year
Students Percent
2016 47/51 92.2%
2017 45/49 91.8%
2018 63/68 92.6%
2019 56/61 91.8%
2020 76/81 93.8%

There are many schools that have partnered with Waubonsee to complete your bachelor's degree in nursing. Each quarter information sessions are held to allow students to choose a school that best meets their needs. A list of schools include:  

Meet Your Faculty

Orientation

View a listing of faculty members in this program.

Costs and Payments

Payment

Learn how affordable your dreams can be at Waubonsee.

 

 

Admission, Accreditation and Advancement

Admission

The Nursing Program does require a special application process.

Accreditation

The associate nursing program at Waubonsee Community College at the Aurora Fox Valley Campus located in Aurora, IL is accredited 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 nursing program is continuing accreditation. To be reaccredited in Fall of 2027.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

Bachelor's Degree

If you want to go on to get your bachelor's degree in nursing, we've teamed up with Governors State (pdf) to make it easy.

Working in Nursing 

Every day, nurses use acquired skills, scientific knowledge and medical expertise to assess situations, prioritize actions, and assist patients to meet physical and psychological needs. This might include recording and analyzing symptoms and treatment responses; assisting in convalescence and rehabilitation; instructing caregivers—any number of things that help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health. Career advancement for experienced nurses with additional education may be directed toward nursing management, advanced practice nursing or nursing education.

Career Prospects

Interested in a career in Nursing? Learn more about our region’s employment outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study.

 

Description

Information Symbol

Annual Earnings

Bar chart with Dollar Sign Yellow Color

Employment Projections

Adminstration

Student Achievement Data

View retention and completion data on students in this program.

Professional licensure and certification requirements

Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. At this time, Waubonsee Community College cannot confirm if programs that lead to professional licensure or certification meet the prerequisites for professional licensure or certification outside the State of Illinois. Please consult the Licensure Requirements by State and Program table for a full list of states.