SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College’s (SSC) Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN) has been named the #3 Ranked Nursing Program in Illinois by RegisteredNursing.org – a nursing advocacy organization. RegisteredNursing.org recently released its annual list of Best RN Programs.

Nursing programs are assessed on several factors which represent how well a program supports students towards licensure and beyond. RegisteredNursing.org also analyzes past and present first time NCLEX-RN “pass-rates” – weighted by year (more information on the methodology is accessible from https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/).

“Recognitions like these are the result of a lot of hard work by our instructors and students,” said Dr. Linda Brown-Aldridge, Dean of Nursing at SSC. “It is even more rewarding and inspiring to see our students achieve success and become part of a workforce that needs talented, caring people more than ever.”

The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) for registered nurses is a standardized exam that each state board of nursing uses to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. SSC’s recent graduate success is the culmination of five consecutive years above the annual national average pass rates including multiple 100% passing graduated classes since the program reopened in 2013. The College’s ADN Program has undergone a major transformation, from revitalizing curriculum to providing innovative new student support systems and cutting-edge technology.

“Dr. Brown-Aldridge and her team have really taken the program to a new level since her arrival in 2019,” said Dr. Lynette D. Stokes, SSC President. “We are excited about the opportunity for more significant growth as the pandemic slows.”

Stokes said that South Suburban College is strategically working to increase awareness to expand the Nursing student population with an eye toward a state-of-the-art Allied Health & Nursing Center, which is quietly in development at the Main Campus in South Holland (email foundation@ssc.edu for more information).

While the next admission cycle closes this March 1st for the Fall 2021 Semester, new prospective students are encouraged to begin their prerequisites as early as this summer by creating a plan with an SSC Counselor. The College also has plans for launching an LPN-RN bridge pathway this year.

The SSC Nursing Program is approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations (IDFPR) and the college is accredited by the North Central Higher Learning Commission (HLC), both critical components to proper credentialing and certification upon graduation. It is a two-year Associate in Applied Science curriculum that provides learning experiences directed by faculty in local hospitals and health agencies to focus on the direct nursing care of patients of all ages.

For more information about Nursing and other Allied Health Programs at SSC, please visit ssc.edu/success or call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2260. Email CounselingCenterQuestions@ssc.edu for information about prerequisites and scheduling.