The Associate Degree in Nursing program at Spoon River College is a two-year program that offers the option of completing a practical nursing certificate at the end of the first year. Becky Sherwood, director of the program, says this ladder program is what sets it apart from other nursing programs.
“Students who complete the first year (the LPN certificate) along with an additional five-week course and then successfully pass their LPN boards can begin working as an LPN, enabling them to get real world working experience while finishing the second year, which prepares students to take the RN exam.”
Sherwood says it also benefits students who don’t want to complete the second year or may not be able to. “Sometimes life throws up barriers and if a student can’t immediately finish the second year, they can still have a nursing career.”
The smaller class sizes also benefit students by allowing more one-on-one time with faculty and with each other. “This is one of my favorite aspects of the program, seeing the cohesiveness of our students, building relationships and bonds, and becoming a team, so that when they start working, they know what it’s like to work as a team.”
“Students are part of a family here; when they graduate, we cry with them, hug them, and celebrate their success. That’s what we’re here for, to see them succeed.”
The deadline to apply for entry into the Fall 2025 ADN program is May 15, and there is no application fee. For more information, call 309-649-6227 or email sarah.bowton@src.edu.
The SRC Nursing program is fully approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
