New nurses have faced a tough Illinois job market from the economic downturn, but demand for nursing skills is rising. The Illinois Center for Nursing estimates a shortage of some 21,000 RNs by 2020 in the state known for historical sites and Chicago jazz. About 60 percent of the state's 171,000 RNs work in some 200 general and medical hospitals and earn an average $67,000 a year - about the same salary as the national nursing average, reports the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Under the Nurse Practice Act, RNs and LVNs need 20 hours of Continuing Education Units every two years for license renewal.
There are about 20 nursing colleges that offer LPN to RN (ADN and BSN) programs in Illinois. They include:
Chicago State University admits LPNs and associate degree RNs to a highly-competitive BSN nursing program each summer. The professional track accepts 15 hours of previous educational credits for LPNs and 30 hours from RNs toward the 117 credit hours needed for a baccalaureate nursing degree that opens up advanced patient care opportunities.
Danville Area Community College offers a multi-exit educational ladder program to an associate degree in nursing and RN licensure. Nursing students can leave after the first level with a practical nursing certificate or continue toward a two-year ADN degree, qualifying them to take the RN licensing exam. The ladder concept allows students to work as LPNs while pursuing the second-level associate degree. Program graduates enjoy a high pass rate on national exams for state licensure and are prepared to provide supervised care for patients in community-based hospital and clinics.
Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville offers an LPN articulation program that lets practical nurses take a fast-track option to an ADN degree and RN nursing licensure. The school provides nursing education courses during the day with clinical training available days, nights, and weekends at community healthcare facilities. LPNs can complete the accelerated program in one year at an estimated cost of $3,800 for tuition, fees, and expenses and graduates have an average pass rate of 95 percent on the national exam for RN licensure.
Carl Sandburg College (Galesburg, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: Second Year Associate Degree Nursing (AAS) Special Option for LPNs
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Chamberlain College of Nursing (Addison, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN to RN Bridge Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Chicago State University (Chicago, IL)
Program Types: LPN to BSN
Program Name: LPN to BSN
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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City Colleges of Chicago-Truman College (Chicago, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN Advanced Placement
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College (Chicago, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: RN Completion (LPN to RN)
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Danville Area Community College (Danville, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN to RN
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Illinois Central College (Peoria, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN to RN Completion
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Kentucky Christian University (Kankakee, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: Advanced Placement Sequence
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Kishwaukee College (Malta, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program
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MacMurray College (Jacksonville, IL)
Program Types: LPN to BSN
Program Name: LPN to BSN
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Parkland College (Champaign, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: The Parkland College Bridge Program from LPN to RN
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Prairie State College (Chicago Heights, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN Bridge Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Richland Community College (Decatur, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN Bridge to ADN
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Saint Xavier University (Chicago, IL)
Program Types: LPN to BSN
Program Name: LPN-BSN Option
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Shawnee College (Illinois, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: Associate Degree in Nursing Program
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South Suburban College (South Holland, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN to ADN Bridging Process
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN Articulation
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Spoon River College (Canton, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: Advanced Standing for LPN’s (ADN)
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Triton College (River Grove, IL)
Program Types: LPN to ADN
Program Name: LPN to Associate’s Degree Upward Mobility
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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