By studying nursing at Oakton, you benefit from our celebrated faculty, rigorous curriculum and commitment to equity. Oakton's Nursing program was ranked one of the 10 Best Schools in Illinois for Registered Nursing Programs (2023) for its academic quality, passing rates on the NCLEX entrance exam, affordability and reputation.
Since 1984, more than 2,400 students have received an associate of applied science degree in nursing credential from Oakton. Instructional classes and labs for the program typically meet in the Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center, featuring a state-of-the-art nursing simulation hospital and nursing classrooms. Students enrich their learning through the clinical experiences offered in a variety of healthcare settings throughout the community.
Oakton offers an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) in nursing for students who wish to start a career in nursing. If you plan to pursue a BSN in nursing, consult the Office of Advising, Transitions and Student Success, as well as the transfer institution's catalog. This will help you select courses that will meet both Oakton's and your transfer school's requirements.
The goal of the Perioperative Nursing Certificate program is to provide individuals with the fundamental knowledge and skills required to provide safe, patient-centered care in the operating environment. This three-hour certificate can be completed in one semester.
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Nursing is a limited enrollment program. Students must complete a series of prerequisites in order to be considered for admission to the program.
Fall 2025
We are no longer accepting applications for spring 2025.
Call 847.635.1266 with questions or for more information.
Students who complete all prerequisites by Feb. 28, 2022, are ranked and accepted by the following criteria:
Students meeting all other nursing minimum requirements, but having lower than the specified scores on the English or science composite section of the HESI exam, may be admitted as “conditional students,” with priority given to in-district students. Space is limited. Additional requirements are completion of BIO 232 and an English or science composite score between 70 - 79. Students are admitted by ranking and must complete an eight-week summer program prior to entering the fall nursing program.
Students who refuse a criminal background check and/or drug screen will not be considered “clear” and will not be authorized to participate in the clinical component of the health career program, necessitating withdrawal from the program at that time. Individual results of student background checks and drug screens are considered confidential. Determination of whether or not a student can participate in the clinical component of a particular health career program will be communicated to the respective program chairs by the background check/drug screen vendor. Students may view their personal results on the vendor’s website.
For more information contact Margaret Gas, nursing chair, at mgas@oakton.edu.
We also recommend that you view an Information Session video below prior to applying.
All applicants must meet with Julie Rosenberg (jmrosenb@oakton.edu), health career specialist.
The HESI Entrance Exam is used by Nursing Programs nationwide as a tool to help them screen applicants. The test is also referred to as the HESI Admissions Assessment Exam or the HESI A2.
The HESI A2 consists of both an academic portion and a personality portion.
The HESI A2 content exams that Oakton has chosen are:
For more information on the content exams Oakton has chosen, and also in order to prepare for the HESI entrance exam, you can access the HESI information page.
Material for preparation:
Register for the HESI exam online. Go to “Browse Programs, Health Careers, View Health Career Courses, HESI Exam” or register through the Alliance for Lifelong Learning Office (Room 1420 Des Plaines and Room A120, Skokie), or online. Call 847.982.9888 with any questions.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Oakton College at the Des Plaines campus located in Des Plaines, Illinois 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 Degree Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.
Oakton’s nursing program is approved by:
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Board of Nursing
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62786
Each state and territory has different licensure and certification requirements. Oakton has researched and/or contacted state licensing authorities to confirm that the program meets the educational requirements leading to professional licensure. Other licensure requirements may include professional certification exams, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc.
Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. As of July 1, 2020, we have determined that individuals that successfully complete LIcensed Practical Nursing Certificate Program curriculum:
Meets the education requirements leading to licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Illinois
Does NOT meet the education requirements For licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories:
We have not made a determination if the program curriculum meets the requirements for licensure/certification in these states and US Territories: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada,New Hampshire, New Jersey,New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
If you intend to practice in any state other than Illinois, you should contact the appropriate licensing agency to independently verify whether Oakton’s program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in a particular state before beginning Oakton’s program. Be aware that state licensure requirements may change from time-to-time and that states may have conditions for licensure in addition to educational requirements.
This information is provided to meet the Disclosure Requirements for Academic Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification.
|
Year |
Oakton ADN Pass Rate |
State Pass Rate |
National Pass Rate |
Completion Rate (On-time) |
Completion Rate (Time and a half) |
Job Placement |
| 2021 | 93% | 82% | 82% | 70% | 83% | 87% |
| 2022 | 89% | 77% | 80% | 47% | 90% | 76% |
| 2023 | 92% | 85% | 89% | 50% | 15.3% | 92% |
Oakton's professors and lecturers are experts in their fields with advanced degrees and years of real-world experience.
In addition to classroom learning, students receive support from our panel of expert advisors.
Margaret Gas, Chair
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Lewis University
M.S.N. University of Phoenix
M.P.A. Roosevelt University
mgas@oakton.edu
847.635.1833
Office: Room 107, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Dezrine Dunn
Associate Professor of Nursing
A.D.N. Oakton College
B.S.N. Lewis University
M.S.N. Lewis University
D.N.P. Chamberlain College of Nursing
ddunn@oakton.edu
847.376.7261
Office: Room 202, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Nefize Fejza
Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University
D.N.P. Rush University
nfejza@oakton.edu
847.376.7359
Office: Room 260, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Carla Ferguson
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola
M.S.N. Rush University
cferguso@oakton.edu
847.376.7043
Office: Room 205, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Carrie Kelly
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S. DePaul University
ckelly@oakton.edu
847.376.7219
Office: Room 205, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Teresa Kirwan
Assistant Professor of Nursing
BS Boston University
M.S. University of Illinois at Chicago
A. S. N. Harry S. Truman College
M.S.N. Rush University
tkirwan@oakton.edu
847.376.7278
Office: Room 227, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Ciaran O'Sullivan, Coordinator
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S. National-Louis University
M.S.N. University of Phoenix
Ed.D., National-Louis University
cosulliv@oakton.edu
847.635.1825
Office: Room 223, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Leandro Resurreccion
Professor of Nursing
B.S. University of Santo Thomas
B.S.N. Aurora University
M.S.N. Lewis University
Ed.D., National-Louis University
lresurre@oakton.edu
847.376.7213
Office: Room 223, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Debbie Schiltz
Associate Professor of Nursing
A.A.S. Oakton College
B.S.N., University of Illinois
M.S.N., Chamberlain College of Nursing
dschiltz@oakton.edu
847.367.7259
Office: Room 225, Des Plaines, Lee Center
Winnie Sitt
Professor of Nursing
B.S.N. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S.N. Rush University
wsitt@oakton.edu
847.635.1829
Office: Room 227, Des Plaines, Lee Center
