Choosing A Great Nursing School
Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Nursing School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
How Much Money Do You Make With A Nursing Degree In Illinois
Nursing is a popular option for people living in the state of Illinois. There are currently around 113,040 employed registered nurses in the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .
The BLS also predicts a 16% growth in jobs, just for RNs alone, in the years 2014 through 2024. The hourly mean wage for registered nurses working in the state is $33.54. That adds up to around $69,760 per year.
Northern Illinois University College Of Nursing
As a Higher Learning Commission accredited college, this honors-earning school received special recognition for their education of male nurses and offers excellent undergraduate programs like the Bachelors of Science in Nursing and an accelerated Nursing RN to BSN Program, as well as an array of graduate degrees such as a Masters in Nursing, a Post-Masters Nursing Education certificate and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
The campus, located in DeKalb, Illinois, has state of the art Nursing Laboratories that prepare students for hands-on work in a hospital setting, even before starting clinicals. This includes the incredible human-patient simulation lab, which creates realistic situations that range from trauma to pediatric, providing a well-rounded and extensive education in both the science and the tactical areas of Nursing.
This college provides access to dozens of state scholarship opportunities like the Illinois Department of Public Health scholarship, awarding over 130,000 dollars to nursing students each year, funding education and research opportunities for everyone.
1425 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115Phone: 753-1000
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Best Private Nursing Schools In North Carolina
A private college or university is an independent school which does not receive direct government subsidies. Private institutions thus usually charge their students higher tuition than their public counterparts. However, with this higher cost come several benefits.Private school benefits Private schools can afford to dedicate more resources to each student, enabling them to provide more personalized teaching. For example, the majority of private schools in North Carolina have a lower student-to-teacher ratio than their public counterparts. Private schools also often carry an enhanced level of prestige. This is especially notable for North Carolinas Duke University and Methodist University, which both hold long academic histories.
Cost of attending a private college or university
Board Of Nursing Approved Schools In Illinois
Aurora University School of NursingLocation: Aurora, IllinoisAccreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education , Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.aurora.edu
Blessing Rieman College of NursingLocation: Quincy, IllinoisAccreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.brcn.edu
Bradley University School of NursingLocation: Peoria, IllinoisAccreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.bradley.edu
Chicago State University College of NursingLocation: Chicago, IllinoisAccreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.csu.edu
DePaul University School of NursingLocation: Chicago, IllinoisAccreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.depaul.edu
Elmhurst College Deicke Center for Nursing EducationLocation: Elmhurst, IllinoisAccreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.elmhurst.edu
Governors State University School of NursingLocation: University Park, IllinoisAccreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Website: http://www.govst.edu
Illinois State University Mennonite College of NursingLocation: Normal, IllinoisAccreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website: http://www.ilstu.edu
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Illinois Board Of Nursing
The State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation houses their Board of Nursing. They are an invaluable resource for information on licensing and examinations, the Nurse Practice Act, continuing education guidelines, approved nursing programs, and more. The Board of Nursing can be reached care of the Department of Professional Regulation, James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph, Ste. 9-300, Chicago, IL, 60601 or on their website.
How Do I Choose A Nursing School In Chicago
Chicago has a strong research and university hospital sector that pairs with educational institutions or funnels students from their classes into the university medical facility. Earning an RN from these entities can be advantageous to your career due to the quality of instruction, school reputation, and initial work experience. These schools also offer entry into specialized fields of medicine that might be difficult to access as an outsider. If your goal is to work in a specific field of medicine or medical research, nursing programs at research and university hospitals is a great place to start.
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Illinois State Universitys Mennonite College Of Nursing
Awarded a spot as a Top 100 Public University, ISUs nursing program is a popular choice for students around the Normal, Illinois area. Offering everything from traditional and accelerated RN programs to Nursing PhDs for students who want to push their education to its highest potential, CONE-accredited ISU has the potential to educate some of the best nurses in the area.
Attendees are among the most successful in the state with graduates achieving a 94% pass rate on the national nursing licensure exam. This campus offers financial aid and a plethora of private and public scholarship opportunities, such as the Johnson & Johnson Nursing Scholarship.
Alumni of the school play a large role in mentoring, as well as providing funding and research ventures for the program. This campus has some very unique curriculum opportunities available to nursing students, including the trans-cultural experience which allows studying medicine abroad in areas like Brazil, Russia and England.
Exceptional program attendees can join the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, which provides excellent career connections and recommendations. ISUs rich educational opportunities aid in forming both intelligent and well equipped nurses, as well as culturally aware and compassionate medical professionals.
Campus Box 5810 Normal, IL 61790-5810Phone: 438-7400
Financing Nursing School In Illinois
Costs vary a good deal. Community colleges may charge different rates according to whether one is a resident of the particular county, a resident of the state, or neither. Financial aid is available. Illinois has its own loan scholarship: The Nursing Education Scholarship. Funding comes with a commitment to work in the state. Many other sources of financial aid, from merit-based private scholarships to Federal Pell Grants, come without this obligation.
The Illinois Center for Nursing has put together an extensive resource of financial aid options .
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Best Private Nursing Schools In Illinois
Aspiring registered nurses in Illinois can choose to pursue their bachelor of science in nursing degrees at either public or private universities. While each option has its advantages and disadvantages, private schools offer a quality education with a high degree of personal attention. Private colleges and universities tend to have smaller class sizes, which means that students receive more personal attention from their professors, creating a more refined learning experience. Degrees from prominent private schools are generally held in higher esteem than those of public schools, and tend to carry more weight in the job market. These advantages do come at a price, as tuition is typically more expensive at private schools than at public schools. However, the prestige conferred by a degree from a private university could help you secure a job or even negotiate a higher salary.
Bachelors In Nursing Programs
Aurora University Aurora University confers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing to students who successfully complete the four-year, 123 credit program. Undergraduates will complete core college coursework and core and elective classes, as well as clinical rotations, within the nursing major. Clinical rotations take place at hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and public health centers. Major coursework covers nursing informatics, pharmacological concepts, behavioral health issues, and leadership and management. Graduates are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses with the nursing department boasting a 98 percent pass rate for graduates taking the exam for the first time.
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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.
Bsn Programs In Illinois
When students consider their options for post-secondary school, often they think of a BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree when they consider nursing. Universities are found in larger centers and offer frameworks that are more theoretical for students who are interested in more than the practice of nursing. When their degree has been earned, however, BSN graduates must sit the same NCLEX licensure exam as their ADN counterparts – it’s only this license that determines eligibility for nursing.
BSN grads and faculty strive to provide effective and evidence-based ethics in practice to their patients. More than a degree, nursing is a worldview and full-time practice. Nurses at all levels practice integrity and evidence-based care as part of a team. Graduates look forward to sharing new ideas with doctors, colleagues, and patients.
Since 1971, the University of Chicago’s nursing program has continued to grow and expand. Faculty in the department provide experiences that meet the needs of student nurses to empower them and promote competence in all areas of their practice and professional development.
BSN programs have unique admissions criteria that vary between institutions. Here’s a selection of the most common requirements that you may see for your nursing program of choice:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Pre-requisite courses are complete with competitive marks
- Personal essay
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Pick Your Nursing Degree Level
The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Nursing Schools in Illinois.More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology.
Lpn Reciprocity And Nlc
Illinois is not a state that currently follows the Nurse Licensure Compact however, the state is currently pending NLC legislation. Nurses from states that are part of the NLC are able to work in other NLC states without obtaining additional licensure. Otherwise, licensure by endorsement will be necessary to practice in a new state. If seeking a license by endorsement in the state of Illinois, the applicant must:
- Hold a valid license in another state.
- Submit a written application to the Board.
- Have completed a board-approved nursing education equivalent to the state of Illinois.
- Complete a criminal background check.
Nurses licensed in a country other than the U.S. must verify educational equivalence based on the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools evaluation, as well as pass the Test for English as a Foreign Language exam. For detailed information about LPN endorsement by application and examination in Illinois check out the online endorsement application.
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Adn Programs In Illinois
With a history of strong and proactive nursing schools dating back as far as 1889, the state of Illinois is prepared to meet today’s growing health care demands. With many students opting to graduate high school and begin their post-secondary path toward an Associate’s Degree in Nursing diploma at a college convenient to them, the ADN program offers evidence-based, hands-on training toward licensure exams for those students who need or want a quick path to the first steps in their nursing career.
There are more than 40 ADN programs in the state, and program entry is offered one or more times per year for a two-year diploma.
With the sheer number of programs that are available and reasonably priced for in-state students, how do you decide which one is right for you? Data-based decision-making on some important student outcomes can help you make the right choice for your learning style and lifestyle.
Accreditation is a voluntary, non-profit measure that protects students as consumers. With accreditation in place, you’re guaranteed that the degree you’re buying with your money, time, and dedication is of a comparable standard throughout the state. Colleges are accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as designated by the federal government, whereas ADN programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing .
Beyond The Nursing Degree
Illinois RNs average $66,260, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Novice nurses generally make less. Wages also vary somewhat from one metropolitan area to another. Individual schools may provide salary information about their graduates. Black Hawk College, for example, reports that local graduates of the ADN program make $40,000 to $52,000 .
Of course theres the issue of landing that first job! Nationwide, new licensees with higher degrees have an easier time entering the job market. The reputation of the individual school also has some bearing on job prospects.
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Lpn To Rn/bsn Programs In Illinois
Savewww.practicalnursing.org
Nursing Schools In Illinois
nursing schools in illinois provides a comprehensive and comprehensive pathway for students to see progress after the end of each module. With a team of extremely dedicated and quality lecturers, nursing schools in illinois will not only be a place to share knowledge but also to help students get inspired to explore and discover many creative ideas from themselves.Clear and detailed training methods for each lesson will ensure that students can acquire and apply knowledge into practice easily. The teaching tools of nursing schools in illinois are guaranteed to be the most complete and intuitive.
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
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Becoming A Nurse Practitioner In Illinois
Advanced practice registered nurses , including NPs, must hold either an accredited master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice and obtain national certification in a specialty area. APRN licensure varies by state. In Illinois, the state board of nursing handles NP licensure and approves specializations from national certification agencies.
NP Program Requirements:
- Application Requirements: BSN with 3.0 GPA current RN license
- How Long To Complete: Two years for MSN four years for DNP
- Accrediting Bodies: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Illinois Licensure Requirements:
- Education: MSN or DNP
- Exams: Varies by NP certification specialty administered through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board
- Renewal Frequency: Two years
How Is The Job Market For Nurses In Chicago
The city of Chicago and the surrounding metro area has a large medical industry in the form of hospitals, clinics, medical facilities, and more. Jobs for nurses in Chicago are plentiful and there are anywhere from 1,900 to 2,000 nursing jobs in Chicago, Illinois advertised on a regular basis. A registered nurse will easily find employment due to the population density in the region, aging populations, and the overall demand for skilled nurses. A student who is entering or graduating from school in the near future will find it easy to fulfill one of the many registered nursing jobs in Chicago, IL.
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How We Ranked The Best Nursing Schools In Chicago
Prospective and working nurses in the Chicago metropolitan area have a wealth of options for starting or continuing their education. To rank Chicagos nursing schools, TopRN editors focused on accredited, legitimate institutions ranked according to several factors, including tuition cost, student reviews, and a variety of programs.
The Best Nursing Schools In Illinois For Rn
Aurora Universitys BSN degree program delivers an excellent foundation in the art of nursing through clinical experiences and professional training. The faculty to student ratio is 1:32, which means there is the advantage that classes are quite small. During practicum experiences, the ratio is 1:8, which is even better. This means that the faculty, who are truly dedicated, will give you all the personal attention you need. Indeed, students often take part in regional and national conferences with faculty staff. Students also take part in various real-life practice situations where they will work alongside various highly experienced professionals.
- Campus: Aurora, IL
- Minimum time commitment: 123 semester hours
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: TEAS, GPA of 2.75 minimum, interview, TOEFL if applicable
- Programs: BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid
The Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing offers a program in conjunction with two other schools. As such, a BSN graduate is educated not just by Blessing-Rieman, but also by Quincy University and/or Culver Stockton College. The college is responsible for the educational aspect of the degree, whereas Quincy provides liberal arts and general education. The BSN degree itself is achieved through Blessing-Rieman.
- Campus: Elmhurst, IL
- Minimum time commitment: Four years
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: High school or GED
- Programs: BSN
- School Site:Tuition and Financial Aid
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