MCC gets OK to offer associate degree in nursing

For Joan Flanagan, excited just doesn't say enough.

This afternoon, McHenry County College President Walter Packard called the dean of health career programs with some long-awaited news: the Illinois Community College Board had approved an Associate Degree in Nursing for MCC.

"I think I said, 'we did it!'" Flanagan said.

The board's vote is the final step in bringing the much sought-after program to MCC. The Illinois Board of Nursing and the Illinois Board of Higher Education each gave their approval earlier this year.

Next fall, MCC will admit 20 students to its fledgling program.

"Hundreds of students have shown interest," Flanagan said. "We'll be doing additional pre-admission testing to decide who we're going to admit."

Candidates will be tested on math, basic reading and writing skills. A point system combining their testing score, their grade point average in health career courses, and how many of those courses have been completed will determine rankings.

"After the first two years we'll be able to take more students," Flanagan said.

The college now offers its own Basic Nurse Assistant Training program, and a Licensed Practical Nurse certificate program through a partnership with Rock Valley College.

"An associate degree is the next step," Flanagan said, noting that Health Careers feature some of the college's most highly attended programs.

Advertised as a two-year program, Flanagan said the degree is completed by most community college students in three years.

In the next few months, Flanagan said her department will focus on "getting all the policies and procedures in place. It's finally here."