Section 1300.35  Remedial Education

Pursuant to Section 10-30 of the Act, no applicant (unless licensed in another jurisdiction) shall be issued a license as a registered nurse or practical nurse unless he/she has passed the examination set forth in Section 1300.25 within 3 years after filing an application, unless the applicant submits proof of successful completion of the entire nursing education program or one of the following remedial nursing education requirements:

a)         Registered nurse and practical nurse applicants licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction on the basis of successful completion of the national licensure examination may complete the current nursing practice update course set forth in Section 1300.41.

b)         Registered nurse applicants, not licensed in another jurisdiction, may enroll in an approved professional nursing education program's medical/surgical theory and clinical course that includes the content and clinical experiences as set forth in Appendix A (Minimal Skills List for Registered Nurses) and Appendix B (Minimal Assignment List for Registered Nurses) of this Part.

c)         Practical nurse applicants, not licensed in another jurisdiction, may enroll in an approved practical nursing education program's medical/surgical theory and clinical course that includes the content and clinical experiences as set forth in Appendix C (Minimal Skills List for Licensed Practical Nurses) and Appendix D (Minimal Assignment List for Licensed Practical Nurses) of this Part.

d)         Registered nurse applicants and practical nurse applicants may participate in an individual self-study plan developed by an approved nursing education program in Illinois that includes  theory and coordinated clinical practice components.

1)         The theory component shall have the following minimum components:

A)        Assessment of theory learning needs through use of published tests measuring knowledge in medical/surgical nursing, growth and development across the life span and pharmacology;

B)        Specification by a nursing education program of units of content, objectives and unit plans for study;

C)        Documented hours equivalent to at least 48 contact hours of theory for registered nurse applicants and 32 contact hours of theory for licensed practical nurse applicants;

D)        Use of a medical/surgical nursing text currently used in basic nursing education programs;

E)         A means for demonstrating achievement of objectives.

2)         The clinical practice component shall be sponsored by a nursing education program. The clinical practice experience shall include the following minimum components:

A)        Assessment of skill learning needs, arranged by the applicant with the nursing education program prior to assignment to a unit of the institution;

B)        Mastery of the registered nurse or practical nurse minimal skills set forth in Appendix A and C of this Part;

C)        Clinical practice component of at least 96 contact hours for registered nurse applicants and 64 contact hours for licensed practical nurse applicants that includes the clinical practice experience set forth in Appendix B and D of this Part; and

D)        Identification of a faculty member or registered nurse preceptor.

e)         Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse applicants, taking a self-study course approved by another state board, shall have the course approved by the Division in order for the course to be accepted.  The clinical practice component of the course must be provided by an Illinois health care delivery institution and must incorporate the Division's minimal requirements for the clinical practice component.  The nurse taking the course must make arrangements with the health care delivery institution for the clinical practice component and identification of a registered nurse preceptor.

f)            Individuals may request a review by the Board of any other pertinent documents or training that are not set forth in this Section for approval as meeting these requirements.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 8582, effective April 21, 2006)