40 Best Nursing Schools in Chicago Illinois-Tuition & Programs

Searching for the best nursing schools in Chicago Illinois? There are numerous job and educational options in the nursing sector in the flourishing city of Chicago.

In the Chicago metropolitan area, there are more than fifty schools that provide a wide range of programs for nurses at different levels and we have put down the list of nursing schools in Chicago Illinois.

Choosing the type of nursing program you wish to enroll in is among the most crucial decisions.

A career as a certified nursing assistant may be right for you if you are naturally compassionate and extroverted. CNAs offer front-line primary care that helps patients with activities of daily living like feeding and bathing.

Community colleges and vocational schools offer CNA programs, which can be finished in a few short weeks. In Chicago, there are about 50,000 nursing assistants, and the need for experienced CNAs is expected to rise in the coming years.

In order to ensure the general wellbeing of their patients, licensed practical nurses frequently manage nursing assistants.

Community colleges and technical schools both offer LPN programs, which typically take 12 to 18 months to complete. In Chicago, you may anticipate making around $45,000 a year as an LPN.

Those who would describe themselves as natural leaders can consider a career in registered nursing. In your role as an RN, you would oversee a group of other nurses and medical support personnel who planned, carried out, and evaluated individualized patient care.

The City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago State University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago are just a few of the more than 20 institutions in Chicago that provide pre-licensure programs for registered nurses. Now let’s look at the nursing schools in Chicago Illinois.

The List of Nursing Schools in Chicago Illinois

In Chicago and the surrounding cities, there are many options, regardless of the job area, you pursue. Tenet Health, Sinai Health System, and Northwest Community Hospital are a few of Chicago’s top nursing employers. 

Here’s a comprehensive list of the nursing schools in Chicago Illinois.

Rush University


The Rush University College of Nursing is one of the nursing schools in Chicago Illinois that has produced well over 7,000 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate graduates since its inception.

Approximately 1,000 graduate students are now enrolled at the college, and 350 of them are full-time students.

Over the previous ten years, 97 percent of Rush University’s direct entry MSN students have achieved outstanding success on the NCLEX exam. Visit Rush University.

University of Illinois Chicago


The UIC College of Nursing, which enrolls more than 1,300 students from a variety of backgrounds, consistently ranks among the top 10 nursing schools in the nation for research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

The college also offers the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioners, and nursing administration specializations, all of which are routinely listed in the top tier by U.S. News & World Report.

At its main campus in Chicago as well as at regional locations in Peoria, the Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana, UIC provides nursing degree programs.

Seven health science colleges of the university are accessible to nursing students, enhancing the chances for interprofessional learning in the classroom and in the clinical setting. Visit the University of Illinois Chicago.

Chamberlain University


Chamberlain University, which was established in 1889 to address a paucity of healthcare services, keeps expanding access to nursing education across the country.

There are more than twenty Chamberlain locations nationwide, including Chicago. The institution has a three-year BSN program designed for students who desire to complete their degree faster by taking summer classes.

The state’s largest pre-licensure BSN program, the Chicago campus graduates hundreds of new nurses each year. Despite the small size of the institution, students receive very individualized care, which has allowed them to pass the NCLEX exam at an average rate of 84 percent over the past ten years.

At the graduate level, Chamberlain University provides a fully online MSN degree with programs in nursing informatics, population health, healthcare policy, nurse educators, and nurse executives. Additionally, each MSN track is offered as a stand-alone graduate certificate.

Last but not least, Chamberlain offers a post-DNP master’s with elective concentration areas in advanced practice, education, and healthcare systems that are leadership-themed. Visit Chamberlain University.

Loyola University Chicago


The first college in Illinois to offer a BSN degree was Loyola University Chicago in 1935. The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing now provides nursing programs at the undergraduate (BSN), graduate (MSN), and doctorate (DNP and Ph.D.) levels.

The majority of the full-time faculty members at the school hold doctoral degrees—more than 85%. The high NCLEX pass rate of 92 percent achieved by Loyola’s BSN graduates over the past ten years is rather remarkable.

The school places a high premium on serving the community, and it runs two nurse-managed clinics that also act as clinical training grounds for students. Visit Loyola University Chicago.

Lewis University


Lewis University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions has been training nurses for forty years. In addition to the regular BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN with six concentration options, a dual MSN/MBA degree, post-certificates, master’s, and doctor of nursing practice programs, Lewis also offers a wide spectrum of nursing programs.

The college annually graduates 110–140 prelicensure BSN students, who over the past ten years have passed the NCLEX with a remarkable 96 percent success rate.

Lewis students get knowledge through one-on-one contact with teachers in cutting-edge simulation labs, and they get to engage with a variety of patients thanks to the college’s 50+ clinical connections. In order to suit different schedules, many courses are now offered online. Visit Lewis University.

Oak Point University


For those interested in becoming nurses, Oak Point University provides a variety of degree programs. The university’s standard BSN program, which graduates about 400 students each year, is open to students who are not yet licensed.

Over the previous ten years, Oak Point’s BSN students have had an average first-time pass rate of 80% on the NCLEX-RN exam.

There are many alternatives available to post-licensure students, including RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, standard MSN, and DNP paths.

Within its MSN program, Oak Point provides four nurse practitioner specializations as well as a nurse educator option.

Additionally, post-credentials master’s are provided in two NP specialties. The DNP program is entirely online because its curriculum was created with working professionals in mind.

It has 32 semester hours and can be completed in six semesters, or two years of year-round study. Visit Oak Point University.

Valparaiso University


The College of Nursing and Health Professions at Valparaiso University provides undergraduate students with BSN, ABSN, RN-to-BSN, and RN-to-MSN choices.

BSN-trained nurses can pursue a DNP, a combination MSN/MBA program, or an MSN with a concentration on nursing education at the graduate level. Every year, Valparaiso graduates a prelicensure BSN class of between 100 and 140 students.

Over the previous ten years, these RN candidates have had a 92 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX.

Students have access to cutting-edge facilities including the Virtual Nursing Learning Center and the SIM Center, and more than 60% of the professors have doctoral nursing degrees. Visit Valparaiso University.

University of St. Francis


The Cecily & John Leach College of Nursing at USF is influenced by its Catholic legacy of giving back to the community.

In addition to a well-liked RN-to-BSN bridge program for practicing nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a hospital diploma, the institution provides a wide choice of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing degrees.

A small traditional BSN graduating cohort of 60–90 students from the school frequently scores highly on the NCLEX licensure exam.

In fact, USF’s excellent 91 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past ten years.

Students can benefit from acute and long-term care clinical experiences in a variety of community settings, and they have access to a virtual simulation laboratory. Visit the University of St. Francis.

DePaul University


The first nursing school in Illinois to offer a two-year Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) program for those who aren’t nurses is DePaul’s School of Nursing.

Aside from offering a traditional undergraduate BSN program, the institution also offers a DNP program with concentrations for aspiring nurse anesthetists, family nurse practitioners, and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners.

It also offers an RN-to-MSN pathway for nurses with an ADN or hospital diploma. Nearly 200 students graduate from the MENP program each year, and over the previous ten years, the program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate has been an astounding 90%.

The nurse anesthesia certification exam at DePaul has a phenomenal 100 percent pass record in recent years.

Students benefit from a network of more than 75 clinical sites and cutting-edge amenities spread over two campuses in North Chicago and Lincoln Park. visit DePaul University.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science


There are two options available for the DNP nurse anesthesia program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science’s College of Health Professions.

For RNs who aspire to continue their education in order to become CRNAs and obtain the DNP degree, the nurse anesthesia entry pathway was developed.

The majority of the program’s curriculum is taught on campus, however, some doctoral-level upper-level material is offered online.

The MSN nurse anesthesia completion pathway builds on the skills and accomplishments of the DNP, which was designed for current CRNAs.

Online students can finish the degree in about 24 months of part-time study. Visit Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

Saint Xavier University


The Saint Xavier University School of Nursing was the first nursing school in the state to offer an authorized bachelor’s program; it was founded in 1935 and has educated well over 5,000 nurses.

Four times in a row, Saint Xavier has been recognized as an NLN Center of Excellence for fostering both professional and student growth.

33 faculty members are employed by the institution to teach in its several undergraduates and graduate nursing programs.

Over the past ten years, BSN students have passed the NCLEX exam at a rate of 87 percent, which is much higher than the state and national averages. Visit Saint Xavier University.

Elmhurst University


The Department of Nursing and Health Sciences at Elmhurst University offers a conventional BSN curriculum leading to licensure, an RN-to-BSN completion pathway, and an MSN program with three concentrations and a master’s entry option (clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, nurse administrator).

90 percent of standard BSN program graduates have passed the NCLEX exam on their first try over the past ten years.

Even better results have been achieved by master’s level students, who have an impressive 96 percent NCLEX pass rate since the program’s commencement.

Elmhurst places a strong emphasis on innovation, and its preoperative nursing program was the first of its type in the Chicago metropolitan area.

The university’s students have access to a wide range of prestigious institutes for clinical investigations despite being only 16 miles from downtown Chicago. Visit Elmhurst University.

Purdue University Northwest


In 2016, the Calumet and North Central campuses of Purdue University merged to form Purdue University Northwest. Both campuses were established in 1946, following World War II. One of just 62 universities nationwide to receive this distinction is the College of Nursing at Pacific Northwest University.

Undergraduates have a variety of BSN options to choose from, including regular, accelerated, and online RN-to-BSN programs.

Over the past ten years (taking into account the track records of the heritage schools), prelicensure students have earned an impressive 88 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate, with a fantastic 98 percent pass rate in 2018.

With concentrations in adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, nurse education, and nurse executive, PNW provides an MSN degree at the graduate level. Visit Purdue University Northwest.

Governors State University


The most recent recommendations from the Carnegie Foundation Report and the Institute of Medicine are included in the nursing curriculum at Governors State University.

The mission of the nursing department is to prepare nurse leaders to meet the demands of local, regional, and global healthcare reform.

The school primarily offers graduate degrees, including a DNP and three MSN concentrations, and has 15 full-time nursing faculty members (nursing administration, CNS in adult healthcare, FNP).

For registered nurses, Governors State also offers an entirely online RN-to-BSN finishing program. Visit Governors State University.

Aurora University


The standard prelicensure BSN curriculum at Aurora University is available at both the main AU campus and George Williams College in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Small class sizes are a characteristic of the curriculum, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 32:1 in lectures and an 8:1 ratio in clinical practicums.

Prerequisites totaling 40 hours, nursing courses totaling 59 hours, and practical experiences at local clinics, hospitals, and community organizations are all required of nursing students.

Each spring, Aurora University confers degrees on about 150 newly graduated nurses. These students have maintained a solid 91 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam over the past ten years. Visit Aurora University.

North Park University


For nursing students, North Park University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a variety of alternatives, including two BSN programs (conventional and RN-to-BSN), an MSN degree, a DNP degree, and post-certificates. master’s About 80 students from the standard BSN program graduate each year, and over the previous ten years, they have had a strong 85 percent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.

The RN-to-BSN track combines online and traditional classroom instruction, enabling students to maintain full-time jobs.

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, and leadership/management are the three-degree concentrations offered by the MSN program.

In order to finish their courses for the DNP program, students must visit North Park’s campus once every semester. Visit North Park University.

Northern Illinois University


The conventional BSN curriculum at Northern Illinois University’s School of Nursing consists of 31–33 non–nursing credits in addition to 61–64 nursing credits.

Microbiology, Nursing Ethics & the Law, and Genetics & Human Genomics are a few examples of curriculum courses.

With more than 230 regional healthcare partners, a dedicated advisor, and a Student Success Program that assists students in meeting program requirements, students benefit from a variety of clinical experiences.

Graduates of the four-year BSN program have had an 88 percent success rate passing the NCLEX-RN exam during the past ten years.

In addition, the School of Nursing at NIU provides an online RN-to-BSN program, an MSN with two FNP-focused specialties, a post-degree master’s in nurse education, and a DNP. Visit Northern Illinois University.

Benedictine University


The RN-to-BSN accelerated track and the MSN degree are both offered by Benedictine University’s Department of Nursing and Health.

Courses in the adaptable RN-to-BSN curriculum can be taken in a number of community colleges and hospitals close to the cities of Lisle and Springfield.

Case management, informatics, occupational health, public health, quality improvement, and nursing supervision are among the disciplines in which students are trained for careers.

The MSN program at BenU offers specializations in nurse executive leadership and nurse education. All of the MSN coursework is available online. Visit Benedictine University.

Ambria College of Nursing


Aspiring nurses have a variety of alternatives at Ambria College of Nursing, including an LPN certificate, two ADN courses (conventional and LPN-to-RN), and a program to complete their RN-to-BSN degree.

The flexible LPN and LPN-to-RN programs offered by Ambria can be finished in only a year and offer day, evening, full-time, and part-time schedule options.

The RN-to-BSN curriculum is a fast-track program that students can finish in only eight months, whereas the regular ADN is a two-year program that prepares graduates for an initial RN license.

The Ambria ADN program has a solid 90% NCLEX-RN pass record since the school’s start, graduating roughly fifty students each year. NCLEX-RN pass rates for the classes of 2019 and 2020 were 96% and 100%, respectively.

With an impressive 95 percent NCLEX-PN pass record over the previous ten years, Ambria graduates another 40 to 50 LPN students each year. In fact, the NCLEX-PN was passed with a perfect score of 100 percent by five of the last six graduating LPN classes. Visit Ambria College of Nursing.

Trinity Christian College


The BSN curriculum at Trinity Christian College equips generalists with the skills necessary to start working in all clinical nursing specialties.

A worldwide alumni network, Christian teachers, practical experience, hands-on learning, and a perfect 100% graduate employment rate are all characteristics of the 120-credit program.

Examples of coursework include mental healthcare nursing, community health concepts, health assessment promotion, and therapeutic nursing intervention.

Over the previous six years, the college’s BSN graduates have achieved a remarkable 99.5 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate. Visit Trinity Christian College.

Dominican University


Both a standard prelicensure BSN curriculum and an RN-to-BSN pathway are offered at Dominican University. Courses like Adult Health Nursing: Medical and Surgical, Evidence-based Practice, and Transcultural Nursing are part of the typical four-year BSN program.

Traditional BSN graduates have kept up a remarkable 91 percent first-time pass record on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam since the program’s commencement a few years ago. The RN-to-BSN program’s three-semester curriculum is intended for practicing nurses.

This adaptable program provides a mix of classroom and online instruction, as well as individual and group projects, discussion boards, readings, and unique tasks. Community, Family, and Population Nursing; Professional Development for the RN; and Nursing Leadership and Management are a few examples of RN-to-BSN courses. Visit Dominican University.

Carthage College


For many years, Carthage College has been a top producer of Fulbright scholars. The largest number of honors from all Wisconsin baccalaureate institutions for 2018–19 went to six recent graduates.

The college started its undergraduate nursing program in 2015, and the first class of thirteen seniors just graduated.

The BSN curriculum introduces students to patient care scenarios during the first few weeks of the program and is grounded in the liberal arts, humanities, and sciences.

Clinical work for students starts in their sophomore year. In addition to Ascension Health System, Kenosha Brookside Care Center, and Milwaukee VA Medical Center, Carthage College has partnerships with other regional clinical facilities.

Nearly 1,200 hours of clinical experience will be listed on the resumes of recent nursing graduates. Visit Carthage College.

Indiana University Northwest


One of Northwest Indiana’s best business schools is located at Indiana University Northwest, which also houses the only medical school in the region.

Additionally, it is the location of the School of Nursing, whose BSN graduates have had one of the greatest NCLEX pass rates in the state over the past ten years — roughly 95% among first-time test takers. RN-to-BSN completion accelerated second degree, and traditional prelicensure are the three separate BSN programs offered by IU Northwest.

Mid- and high-level simulation equipment is available in the school’s cutting-edge learning laboratory, allowing students to hone the skills they gain in class before using them in clinical settings.

These closely supervised clinical take place in the Chicago metropolitan area, Porter County, and Lake County. For those seeking to become family nurse practitioners, IU Northwest also runs a master’s program in nursing. Visit Indiana University Northwest.

CAAN Academy of Nursing


A nonprofit organization called CAAN Academy of Nursing was established to assist adult learners in entering the nursing field.

The establishment, which has two prelicensure nursing programs, is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

More than ten years ago, CAAN introduced its 59-week practical nursing certificate program. LPN graduates have had an 88 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam during the past ten years, including a few years with a flawless pass rate.

Additionally, recent LPN graduating classes have experienced a 100% job placement rate. A new LPN-to-RN bridging curriculum that grants an associate’s degree and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam was introduced by CAAN in 2018. Visit CAAN Academy of Nursing.

Oakton Community College


More than 80 academic programs are offered at Oakton Community College, which enrolls 46,000 students yearly. Graduates are either prepared to transfer to four-year universities or to begin lucrative professions right away.

The college offers associate degrees and certificates in nursing for aspiring RNs and LPNs, respectively. Both programs incorporate a demanding mix of in-class instruction and hands-on clinical practice to prepare students for a range of healthcare positions.

LPN graduates have an impressive 96% first-time pass record on the NCLEX-PN exam during the past ten years. ADN graduates had a remarkable first-time pass rate of 93 percent on the NCLEX-RN exam over the same time period. Visit Oakton Community College.

Roosevelt University


At its location in downtown Chicago, the College of Science, Health & Pharmacy of Roosevelt University provides an accelerated direct-entry nursing degree.

Students may finish the BSN curriculum in just three years of study after starting nursing-focused courses in the first semester.

A wide range of important subjects are covered in the coursework, including pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology, psychiatric-mental health nursing, and medical-surgical nursing.

Roosevelt has clinical ties to several renowned neighborhood hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital and UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital.

Since the program’s recent inception, BSN graduates have achieved an 81% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure examination. Visit Roosevelt University.

Verve College


A professional job certification and training organization with more than 20 years of expertise is Verve College.

The college’s practical nursing program received approval from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in 2007, and the first class graduated in 2008. A full-time student could finish the 1,080-hour curriculum in 14 to 15 months.

A comprehensive range of career services, such as help with job placement, resume writing, and interview coaching, are available to Verve College students.

On the NCLEX-PN licensure examination, recent graduates have achieved some of the country’s highest success rates, including a flawless 100% pass score in 2017 and a 98 percent pass rate in 2020. Visit Verve College.

Moraine Valley Community College


Moraine Valley Community College, the second-largest community college in Illinois, was established more than 50 years ago.

Every year, either in the fall or the spring, the ADN program begins as a two-year special admission program.

It offers hybrid and online courses, clinical experiences in hospitals and community-based settings, in-class high-fidelity simulations, and a 90% job placement record right after graduation.

Without summers, the conventional ADN curriculum is finished in five semesters. There is also an LPN to RN bridging pathway that can be finished in four consecutive semesters.

An impressive 88 percent of ADN graduates from Moraine Valley during the previous ten years have passed the NCLEX-RN exam. Visit Moraine Valley Community College.

Harper College


Dr. William Rainey Harper, the first president of the esteemed University of Chicago and a forerunner in the junior college concept, is honored with the name Harper College.

With more than 35,000 students enrolled each year, it is among the largest community colleges in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Harper University provides a number of nursing programs, including a two-year associate degree, a 15-month LPN certificate, and a six-credit CNA certificate.

The journey from military medical corpsman to licensed practical nurse is also unique. ADN graduates have had a remarkable NCLEX-RN pass rate of 93 percent over the previous ten years, while LPN graduates have had a nearly perfect NCLEX-PN pass rate of 99 percent.

In order to facilitate a smooth transition into their RN-to-BSN completion programs, Harper College also collaborates with more than twenty other institutions and universities. Visit Harper College.

McHenry County College


More than 100 degree and certificate programs, including some in the nursing industry, are available at McHenry County College.

An associate of applied science (AAS) degree or a nursing assistant certificate are both options for aspiring nurses. Generic and LPN bridging paths are both available in the associate degree program. Each year, MCC graduates a close-knit cohort of about 25 AAS students.

Over the previous ten years, these nursing graduates have achieved an astounding 97 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate, including a perfect 100% pass rate the last two years.

The college’s RN-to-BSN transfer planning guides for about twenty nearby four-year schools and universities are available to graduates who want to continue their nursing studies. Visit McHenry County College.

Chicago State University


The College of Health Sciences houses the Nursing Department of Chicago State University. Either a BSN or an MSN degree is available to students.

The BSN program has a 70% first-time pass record over the past ten years and annually prepares 20–50 graduates for the NCLEX–RN licensure exam. Since 2015, BSN students have also experienced 100% graduation and job placement rates.

The 45-credit MSN program is meant to prepare nurses for the difficulties their field will face in the twenty-first century.

Community health nursing, nursing administration, and nursing education are the three areas of focus for the program. In the future, more nursing subspecialties will emerge. Visit Chicago State University.

Joliet Junior College


Three study options are available through the Nursing Education Department at Joliet Junior College: an LPN certificate of achievement, a conventional ADN curriculum, and an LPN-to-RN transition pathway.

The department provides clinical experiences at several community health clinics, a cutting-edge simulation center, and a 91 percent job placement rate for all programs.

The success rates on licensing exams are also excellent. The school’s 120–150 ADN graduates per year have an impressive 95–% NCLEX-RN exam pass record over the past ten years. JJC’s 50–70 annual LPN grads have done even better, passing the NCLEX–PN exam with a near-perfect 99 percent pass rate throughout the same time span. Visit Joliet Junior College.

Waubonsee Community College


Waubonsee Community College was established in 1966 and now has campuses in Sugar Grove, Aurora, and Plano that accommodate close to 12,000 credit students.

More than 2,300 students can take non-credit classes for personal development at the institution, which also grants certifications and associate degrees in more than 80 different subject areas.

Programs are divided into 10 academic categories, including Health Sciences, which provides an associate’s degree in nursing and a one-semester CNA certificate.

The associate degree program offers two separate tracks: an associate in science (AS) transfer degree pathway and a standard associate in applied science (AAS).

In the transfer degree pathway, students may enroll in a BSN program at a four-year institution or university after the fourth semester.

Students who are pursuing a traditional AAS in nursing are qualified to take the NCLEX. Visit Waubonsee Community College.

Rasmussen University

At its four locations in Illinois, Rasmussen University provides conventional ADN, LPN-to-RN, and RN-to-BSN programs. Typically, the standard ADN program lasts 18 to 24 months to finish.

It provides four start dates, small class sizes, and a cutting-edge choice dubbed Flex Choice. For significant time and cost savings, Flex Choice enables students to combine standard courses with optional self-directed examinations.

The 12- to 18-month LPN-to-RN bridge curriculum can be finished. It has a simplified curriculum for current LPNs who want to transition to an RN position.

Over the previous six years, Rasmussen’s traditional ADN and LPN-to-RN students have together achieved a first-time pass rate of 80% on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Visit Rasmussen University.

College of Lake County


More than 10,000 students can choose from 200 occupational certificate options and 40-degree transfer programs at the College of Lake County. CLC provides transfer pathways for CNA, ADN, and BSN for potential nurses.

Seven credits of combined classroom and practical experiences at community health clinics are needed to complete the CNA program.

The 73–74 credit hour ADN program includes training in family-centered nursing care, mental health nursing, nursing practice foundations, and medical–surgical nursing.

Every year, between 70 and 80 ADN graduates are ready to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Over the past ten years, these students have had an average NCLEX pass rate of 86 percent. Visit College of Lake County.

State Career College


In-demand healthcare occupations like dental and medical assisting, certified nursing assistant, and practical nursing are taught and trained in State Career College, a private, authorized university.

The eight-week CNA program examines emergency care, nursing law and ethics, and nursing duties and responsibilities.

The CNA program prepares its graduates to sit for the state certification exam and apply for entry-level jobs including orderly, nursing assistant, and psychiatric aide.

In-depth coursework in medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and pediatric and geriatric nursing is required for the 69-week LPN program.

The program’s practice time in the SCC labs and off-campus clinical activities make up more than half of the curriculum.

Graduates of the LPN program are ready to take the NCLEX-PN licensing exam and apply for jobs at regional and national healthcare facilities. Visit State Career College.

Elgin Community College


The ADN program at Elgin Community College offers coursework through online learning, simulations, multimedia, small group discussions, and laboratory practice, going much beyond the usual classroom setting.

According to the college, this approach gives students more individualized instruction and increases their sense of control over their education.

ADN courses can include things like nursing practice, pharmacology, human anatomy, and physiology. The program confers degrees on roughly 100 students a year.

These individuals have had a 90% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam over the past ten years. Visit Elgin Community College.

College of DuPage


The biggest community college in Illinois, College of DuPage enrolls close to 25,000 students. 250 programs leading to an associate degree or a certificate with an emphasis on a career are available at the school.

The Certified Nursing Assistant Training Degree (CNATP) and an ADN program with an LPN exit option are two nursing possibilities.

The nursing program at the institution integrates in-class education with lab and simulation exercises as well as clinical rotations at local hospitals.

For jobs in acute care facilities, clinics, nursing homes, and home healthcare, nursing graduates are prepared. Every year, more than 100 students graduate from the ADN program, and over the previous ten years, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates have averaged 85%.

Every year, 20 to 40 students choose the LPN option, and over the previous ten years, they have achieved a remarkable 94 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN. Visit College of DuPage.

Triton College


For students seeking an associate degree and/or looking to transfer to a four-year university, Triton College offers more than 100 degree options.

A very exclusive ADN program, which only admits the most eligible candidates for the available seats, is one of Triton’s most well-liked options.

Nursing and healthcare themes like adult health, drug calculations, human pathophysiology, and physical assessment are covered in-depth by students.

Students also participate in clinical encounters in a range of contexts. The ADN program boasts a strong 87 percent first-time pass record on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the previous ten years, offering both standard and LPN-to-RN paths. Visit Triton College.

North Shore College


The Illinois Board of Nursing and the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools have both authorized the practical nursing program at North Shore College.

Four prerequisite courses, totaling 204 theory hours and 40 lab hours, must be completed by students; they may do so over the period of ten weeks during the morning fast-track session or 13 weeks during the evening session.

The 1,050-hour LPN curriculum, which also provides morning and evening classes with a fast-track option, is thereafter open to students.

Every year, 80 to 100 students from North Shore College’s practical nursing program graduate. These graduates have an excellent 88 percent first-time pass record on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam on average since the program’s start. Visit North Shore College.

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