Even though Illinois boasts 10,000 more BSN-prepared nurses than diploma-prepared RNs, the state of Illinois plans to increase its population of BSN-prepared nurses by 80 percent through 2020. Part of this plan includes offering classes on-site at hospitals and increasing the number of on-line education programs.
To help recruit RNs and curb its projected nursing shortage, the state of Illinois has developed a comprehensive website to address individual nurse's needs and questions. The Illinois Center for Nursing provides information on nursing rules and regulations, licensure requirements and continuing education.
Where to Study: A Few Options
Loyola University. Loyola is a private university and one of the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic universities. Located in downtown Chicago, its RN-to-BSN program can be completed in three semesters and online. Students can earn up to 25 credits toward degree completion by submitting a professional nursing portfolio.
Northern Illinois University (NIU). NIU, the second largest university in Illinois, offers a combined online and in-classroom RN-to-BSN program. Students have several locations to choose from for classes. NIU makes its home in DeKalb.
University of Illinois - Chicago. UIC's RN-to-BSN program consists of 30-credits completed online. The public university is located in the heart of Chicago.
Where to Work: Two options
Methodist Medical Center. Located in Peoria, the oldest city in Illinois, Methodist Medical Center delivers patient- and family-centered care and has been designated as a Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing services. This facility is located about 160 miles from Chicago.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This academic medical center located in Chicago is the primary teaching hospital for Northwestern University. NHM has a partnership with Chamberlain College of Nursing.
Listed below are all of the nationally accredited RN to BSN programs with campus locations in Illinois.
 Chamberlain College of Nursing
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 Olivet Nazarene University
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 University of Illinois at Chicago
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Aurora University (Aurora, IL)
Program Name: RN to BSN Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Benedictine University (Lisle, IL / Springfield, IL)
Program Name: RN to BS Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accredited
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Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing (Quincy, IL)
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Bradley University (Peoria, IL)
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Chicago State University (Chicago, IL)
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL)
Program Name: RN to BS in Nursing Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL)
Program Name: Advanced Placement for Registered Nurses Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Governors State University (University Park, IL)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Illinois State University (Normal, IL)
ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Lakeview College of Nursing (Danville, IL)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accredited
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Lewis University (Romeoville, IL)
Program Name: RN/BSN Track Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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MacMurray College (Jacksonville, IL)
Program Name: Advanced Placement
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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McKendree University (Lebanon, IL)
Program Name: BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Methodist College of Nursing (Peoria, IL)
ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS
Program Name: RN-BSN Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Millikin University (Decatur, IL)
Program Name: RN-BSN Program (PACE)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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North Park University (Chicago, IL)
Program Name: BS Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Northern Illinois University (Dekalb, IL)
Program Name: RN-BS Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Rasmussen College (Aurora, IL / Mokena/Tinley Park, IL / Romeoville/Joliet, IL)
ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
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Resurrection University (Oak Park, IL)
ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS
Program Name: RN-BSN Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Rockford College (Rockford, IL)
Program Name: BSN Completion (BSN-C) Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Saint Anthony College of Nursing (Rockford, IL)
Program Name: RN to BSN
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing (Peoria, IL)
Program Name: RN to BSN Accelerated Pathway
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Saint Xavier University (Chicago, IL)
Program Name: RN-BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL)
ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS
Program Name: RN to BS Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, IL)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences (Rock Island, IL)
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL)
ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL)
Program Name: RN-BSN Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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