Saint Francis Medical Center College Of Nursing
Two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing are offered by the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing. They offer both an Accelerated RN to MSN pathway and a traditional BSN to MSN pathway.
The Accelerated RN to MSN pathway is designed for diploma or Associates prepared Registered Nurses who hold a non-nursing Bachelors. They are required to have completed 62 hours of pre-nursing liberal arts and science coursework and are awarded 31 hours of professional credits for their nursing experience. Five bridge courses must be completed prior to transitioning to the Masters level coursework.
MSN programs are offered in the following roles/specializations:
- Adult Gerontology Nursing
- Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
- Nursing Management Leadership
Coursework is delivered primarily online. Some courses require meeting on campus no more than four times per semester.
Applicants entering the MSN program via the Accelerated RN to MSN pathway must hold a nursing diploma or Associates in nursing as well as a Bachelors in a non-nursing discipline from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale . They must hold a license as an RN in the U.S. and have at least one year of professional nursing experience.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Why Enter An Lpn To Rn Program In Illinois
A job as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Illinois can be rewarding. But there are many options for career advancement, including licensure as a Registered Nursethe largest group of health care practitioners in the United States, and a group that is expected to grow substantially in numbers in the coming years. Registered Nurses in metropolitan areas of Illinois average around $71,000 per year plus benefits. It only takes one more year of study to move from LPN to RN in Illinois and reap the benefits of significantly higher wages and increased flexibility and responsibility in the workplace, making an LPN to RN program in Illinois an attractive option.
Sponsored Schools
Registered Nurses are responsible for a much larger range of tasks than LPNs. Basically, they oversee and manage Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants in patient care. They are also responsible for assessment of patient needs and create and modify a plan of care based on their assessments. Although over sixty percent of RNs work in a hospital, Registered Nurses can also work in a wide range of other settings from doctors offices to long term care facilities and public settings such as schools and community centers. In addition, RNs can be community educators with regards to public health. From occupational and mental health to anesthesia, radiology, rehabilitation, and beyond, the opportunity for specialization extends to all areas of health care.
Best Lpn Programs In Illinois
If youre interested in entering the healthcare field as a licensed practical nurse , youd be hard pressed to find a better state than Illinois to obtain your education in. The state boasts many schools with accredited LPN programs, giving potential students a variety of options to choose from. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , practical nursing is slated to grow by 9% through the year 2029. LPNs in Illinois earn approximately $24.56 per hour, which equates to an average annual salary of $51,080. This is roughly $4,030 per year more than the national average.
Are you looking to become a licensed practical nurse in Illinois? The school you choose is important when it comes to getting your license. Approved programs in Illinois are offered at community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools – we list 36 schools across the state. After careful review of NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years, we have ranked the top 10 programs. For more information on our LPN program rankings, see our Methodology page.
To see all the top ranked LPN programs in Illinois click here.
Don’t Miss: Public Health Nurse Certification Mn
Rush University College Of Nursing
Multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing are offered at Rush University through their College of Nursing. Pathways offered leading to an MSN include: a Direct Entry pathway, an RN to MSN pathway, and a BSN to MSN pathway. All pathways lead to a specialization as a Clinical Nurse Leader.
The Generalist Entry Masters pathway is designed for those with a Bachelors degree in a non-nursing field who desire to become a nurse. It is a two year full-time program that prepares students to gain licensure as a Registered Nurse with a focus on clinical nurse leadership skills.
The Clinical Nurse Leader MSN program is designed for those with either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an Associates degree in nursing plus a Bachelors in a non-nursing field. ADN prepared RNs must take an additional Socialization into Nursing Seminar prior to matriculation into the MSN coursework. The program is two years in length and offered on a part-time basis. All courses are online.
Applicants entering the MSN program via the GEM program must hold a non-nursing degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All prerequisite coursework must have been completed with a C or better prior to application. GRE scores are required but will be waived if the applicants cumulative GPA is 3.25 or greater.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
Overview Of Nursing Schools In Illinois

- There are 82 nursing schools in Illinois. The CCNE accredits 31 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 44 schools in Illinois.
- On average, attending an RN program in Illinois will cost you between $1,634.00 and $29,184.00 per year.
- In Illinois, the average undergraduate student borrows between $4,725.00 and $14,000.00 per year.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average, the NCLEX passing rate range for Illinois ADN students is between 71.14% and 95.44%.
- On average, the NCLEX passing rate range for Illinois BSN students is between 78.89% and 96.67%.
- The average annual salary for a registered nurse in Illinois is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses throughout the country and in Illinois can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
Read Also: Registered Nurse Programs In Texas
Bradley Universitydepartment Of Nursing
Bradley Universitys Department of Nursing offers two pathways through which to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer a traditional BSN to MSN pathway and an RN to MSN pathway. An accelerated BSN to MSN program is also available for current Bradley BSN students who plan to continue on to earn an MSN.
MSN programs are offered in the following specializations:
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Administration
They also offer a General MSN to those advanced practice nurses who already hold a certificate in an advanced practice specialization but would like to hold a Master of Science in Nursing.
Applicants entering via the RN to MSN pathway must hold a diploma or Associates in Nursing. They must be licensed as an RN in Illinois.
Applicants entering via the BSN to MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They must have completed courses in Statistics and Nursing Research. Candidates must hold a license as an RN in Illinois or be eligible for licensure in Illinois.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Informatics
The university also offers an MSN/MBA dual degree option.
Applicants entering via the BSN to MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelors degree in Nursing with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must hold a current, active, unrestricted license as an RN in the U.S.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
People Are Also Reading
He refused to confirm that SIUE’s nursing school will be placed on probation, saying the state never comments on such actions until they become official.
But in a letter to SIUE nursing students dated March 27, nursing school dean Felissa Lashley said the school “will be placed on temporary probation.” Lashley attributed the school’s performance to changes in the test that were introduced in 1998.
She said the school has made curriculum changes to address the problem, but they have not yet been reflected in the school’s pass rate.
DPR records show that the school’s pass rate was 89 percent in 1997, but fell to 68 percent in 1998.
SIUE spokesman Keith Nichols said the first-time pass rate does not necessarily indicate a nursing program’s quality.
“The nursing school continues to do well in other areas that indicate the quality of the education that nurses get there such as the employability of its graduates,” he said.
The DPR requires that a school’s pass rate for first-time test takers be at least to 75 percent for two consecutive years before it will lift probation, Sanders said.
Recommended Reading: Private Schools With Nursing Programs In California
Siue Nursing School Placed On Probation
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville School of Nursing will be placed on probation for two years by Illinois Department of Professional Regulation because not enough graduates passed the state licensing exam for the past two years.
Regulators said less than 75 percent of the school’s graduates passed the exam for two consecutive years.
Seventy-two percent of the nursing graduates passed the exam the first time they took it in 2000, and 73 percent of graduates passed their first exam in 1999, according to DPR data.
SIUE’s performance on the test in 2000 was the second poorest among nursing programs at state schools, according to regulators. The only state-supported nursing school to score lower in 2000 was Chicago State University, where only 48 percent of first-time test takers passed the exam.
Nationally, the first-time pass rate in 2000 for the test was just over 80 percent.
State rules require probation for a nursing school that scores lower than a 75 percent among first-time test takers for two consecutive years, DPR spokesman Tony Sanders said.
Saint Xavier University School Of Nursing
The School of Nursing at Saint Xavier University offers a traditional MSN pathway. MSN programs are offered in the following roles/specializations:
- Clinical Leadership
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Saint Xavier also offers an MSN/MBA dual degree programs.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scaled. Those with a cumulative GPA less than 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Candidates should hold a current license as a Registered Nurse in the U.S. Those applying to the Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program must have at least one year of full-time work experience as an RN.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
You May Like: Chester County Hospital Nursing Program
Details On Illinois Lpn Schools & Classes
LPN programs can be found at several types of schools in Illinois, including community colleges, vocational schools, and more. Students can usually opt for full-time or part-time attendance, which will dictate the duration of the program. Most programs can be completed in 1-2 years from start to finish, allowing students to enter the LPN workforce relatively quickly. LPN programs in Illinois consist of a mix of medical nursing courses and labs, which may include titles such as:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
University Of St Francis Cecily And John Leach College Of Nursing
The Cecily and John Leach College of Nursing at University of St. Francis offers both an RN to MSN pathway and a traditional BSN to MSN pathway to a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
The RN to MSN program is designed for diploma and Associates prepared Registered Nurses with a non-nursing Bachelors who wish to pursue a career in an Advanced Practice Nursing field. The program prepares nurses for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
BSN prepared RNs can pursue an MSN in one of the following roles/specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Administration
- Nursing Education
Applicants entering the FNP MSN program via the RN to MSN pathway are required to have an Associates degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited program plus a Bachelors degree in a non-nursing field with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must be licensed as a Registered Nurse, hold a present nursing practice position, and have performed clinical practice for the last two years.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
Read Also: Masters In Nursing Leadership And Administration
Saint Anthony College Of Nursing
Saint Anthony College of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing programs in several specializations. They include the following:
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
The programs are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. Course are delivered in a hybrid format with about 50% class time and 50% online time. Classes are offered in the evenings, generally one night per week
Applicants should hold a Bachelor fo Science in Nursing from an accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. They should be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of practice.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
Readmission And Attendance Policies

A student who fails or withdraws from a nursing course for any reason will be required to follow the specific readmission policies of the nursing program. Please be aware that the ADN program has a strict absence policy. Students may not miss greater than or equal to 10 percent of total class time in any nursing course or they will be dismissed from that course.
Recommended Reading: Mercy School Of Practical Nursing
Academic Probation And Dismissal Rules
Probation Rules
A cumulative grade point average is calculated. When the nursing or cumulative grade point average is below 2.00/4.00, the student is placed on probation.
A student not currently on academic probation will be placed on academic probation at the end of any term in which the student earns less than a 2.00/4.00 in nursing, non-nursing, or cumulative grade point average.
A student currently on academic probation will be continued on academic probation when:
The Undergraduate Admissions and Academic Standards Committee determines the conditions of probation. In addition to specifying the grade point average, the committee may require the completion of specific courses, may limit the number or hours for which the student registers, and may exclude the student from taking certain courses while on probation.
Dismissal Rules
Nursing License Requirements In Illinois
Illinois RNs and LPNs are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. Although Illinois is not a Nurse Compact state, nurses may be licensed by examination or endorsement. Those who have taken the required exam elsewhere may be licensed by acceptance of exam even if they are not licensed in another jurisdiction.
There are several resources that prospective nurses will want to be aware of. The Illinois Center for Nursing is a government agency, designed to ensure that Illinois has an adequate nursing workforce. Nurses can find a lot of information, including supply and demand in different parts of the state . The most recent data indicates greater demand than supply at the RN level, but a probable surplus at the LPN level. The National Nursing Database, meanwhile, reports that Illinois has 26, 472 LPNs and 164,501 RNs.
Don’t Miss: Wellington Nursing Home Temple Tx
Residency And Tuition Rates
In order to qualify for in-district tuition rates, any student shall be a resident of the district at the time of registration or 30 days prior to the start date of the term in question. When the residency of a student or prospective student is not clear, proof of residency may be required. Any student may qualify for in-district tuition rates if employed within the LLCC district for 35 or more hours per week. Qualifying for the in-district tuition rate based on employment does not make the student a resident for restricted program admission purposes.
Rn License For Nurses Educated Abroad
Eligible foreign nurses may obtain licensing in Illinois as long as they are license in their country and met all other requirements. There must be a credential report for one or two approved agencies. Credentials or documentation that are not in English must be sent with a certified translation. Candidates who do not speak English as a first language must complete the TOEFL or IELTS Academic Module. This requirement may be waived for a nurse who completed a program or took a licensing exam in English.
Initial licensing fee, RN: $91License renewal , RN: $50
Recommended Reading: Accredited Nursing Schools In Ohio
Rn Salaries In Illinois
Nurses who have completed a RN to BSN program are commonly sought out by prospective employers and offered a wider range of career choices. Both hospitals and non-hospitals positions in Illinois for nurses with BSNs include:
- RN educators for faculty, academic advising, and clinical preceptors
- Labor and delivery, intensive care, and OBGYN
- Intervention catheter labs, emergency department, and PACU
The complexity of care for an increasingly older population requires advanced training for effective nursing care. The nurses in Illinois earn an average salary of $66,730 annually.