RN Nursing Programs in Illinois, IL
Work as a Registered Nurse in Illinois
Registered Nurses comprise the biggest group of health care professionals in Illinois and make, on average, $71,000 per year (according to BLS.gov) plus benefits—not bad for a license that can be obtained after two years of study. But this is not to say that working as a Registered Nurse is easy. RNs in Illinois may have to work irregular hours, such as weekends, nights, and holidays, and bear the weight of great responsibility when it comes to individuals under their care. From management of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants, to complicated decision making procedures and critical patient care, the decisions they make can affect dozens of people’s lives on a daily basis. For those looking for a challenging and rewarding career in health care, working as a Registered Nurse in Illinois is certainly an attractive option.
Becoming an RN in Illinois: ADN and BSN
Perhaps the quickest way to become a licensed RN in Illinois is via a two-year Associate Degree, Nursing (ADN). ADNs are widely available and, although they take two years, usually are preceded by general admission to a college or university and subsequent application to a nursing department. Around ten courses, spread out over two semesters, in math, English, psychology, biology and chemistry, with a minimum of a C average, are required before even applying to a nursing program. With competitive entry based highly on grades, the minimum will not always guarantee acceptance, so it is advisable to achieve exceptional grades before application.
From communication to psychology, math, physiology and microbiology, prerequisites for an ADN prepare students for the technical, psychological, and emotional aspects that are a large part of everyday work in a health care setting. Still, the main focus is targeted nursing courses that cover everything from emotional support and theory to clinical practice. In short, an ADN provides prepares students to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and enter the workforce as an entry-level Registered Nurse. To take the examination, students must first apply to the Illinois Board of Nursing and provide evidence of successful completion of a state approved RN program or equivalent within the US, as well as submit to a criminal background check and fingerprinting with the Illinois State Police. Aside from NCLEX fees, the Illinois Board of Nursing also charges a $91 application fee. Once a student passes the NCLEX-RN, they are placed on the Illinois Nursing Registry and are eligible to work as an RN.
A Registered Nurse with an ADN typically finds work in everything from hospitals, which employ 59 percent of RNs nationwide, to clinics, long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, and even health education programs. Regardless of the setting, Registered Nurses must be able to think critically when devising patient care plans and managing LPNs and Certified Nursing Assistants. Indeed, the skill set possessed by a Registered Nurse in Illinois is diverse and can be applied to many different settings, in which RNs typically are given a large amount of responsibility in decision making and patient care processes. However, there is one more path to an RN that affords even greater specialization and opportunity: a Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN), which is held by around half the Registered Nurses in Illinois.
A nursing student can pursue a BSN from the outset of their nursing training, after receiving an ADN, or following training and licensure as a Practical Nurse. A four year bachelor’s degree, the first two years are pretty much the same as an ADN. However, in the final two years, courses go beyond the skills and theories learned during the first two years to focus on such specialized topics as pathophysiology, child care, caring for older adults, populations and communities, leadership, advanced theory, nursing research and more. During a BSN, students do a yearly practicum in order to gain workplace experience to supplement their studies, ensuring they leave the program with working knowledge of a health care setting as well as technical and theoretical understanding of the nursing process.
BSNs in Illinois take the focus beyond the baseline knowledge required to practice as a nurse and require students to take their critical thinking skills to the next level, preparing them for a leadership role in a health care setting. They leave the program not only prepared for the NCLEX-RN and work as a RN, but also with research experience and an array of specialized knowledge that can open doors towards a more dynamic career than what is available to ADN equipped Registered Nurses—something worth thinking about when deciding whether to pursue an ADN or a BSN.
Illinois Hospitals with Active RN (Registered Nursing) Programs
375th Medical Group - Scott Air Force Base
A
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital - Lincoln
Addison Medical Center - Addison
Adventist Midwest Health
Bolingbrook Hospital - Bolingbrook
Bolingbrook Medical Center - Bolingbrook
GlenOaks Hospital - Glendale Heights
Hinsdale Hospital - Hinsdale
La Grange Memorial Hospital - La Grange
Advocate Bethany Hospital - Chicago
Advocate Christ Medical Center - Oak Lawn
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital - Downers Grove
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital - Barrington
Advocate Health Care - Chicago
Advocate Bethany Hospital - Chicago
Advocate Christ Medical Center - Oak Lawn
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital - Downers Grove
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital - Barrington
Advocate Hope Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Chicago
Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Park Ridge
Advocate South Suburban Hospital - Hazel Crest
Advocate Trinity Hospital - Chicago
Advocate Hope Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Chicago
Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Park Ridge
Advocate South Suburban Hospital - Hazel Crest
Advocate Trinity Hospital - Chicago
Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital - Hoffman Estates
Alexian Brothers Health Systems - Elk Grove
Alexian Brothers Medical Center - Elk Grove
Alton Memorial Hospital - Alton
Anderson Hospital - Maryville
B
Bethany Hospital - Chicago
Bethany Methodist Corporation - Chicago
Methodist Hospital of Chicago - Chicago
BJC HealthCare
Alton Memorial Hospital - Alton
Clay County Hospital - Flora
Fayette County Hospital - Vandalia
Blessing Hospital - Quincy
Bolingbrook Hospital - Bolingbrook
Bolingbrook Medical Center - Bolingbrook
BroMenn Healthcare System - Normal
BroMenn Regional Medical Center - Normal
Eureka Community Hospital - Eureka
BroMenn Regional Medical Center - Normal
C
Carle Clinic & Foundation Hospital - Urbana
Carlinville Area Hospital - Carlinville
Catholic Health Partners - Chicago
Chicago Institute for Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) - Chicago
Columbus Hospital - Chicago
Saint Anthony Hospital - Chicago
Centegra Health System (Memorial Medical Center and Northern Illinois Medical Center) Woodstock
Central DuPage Hospital - Winfield
Cermak Health Services - Chicago
CGH Medical Center - Sterling
Chicago Comprehensive Aphasia Center - Chicago
Chicago Institute for Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) - Chicago
Chicago Lakeshore Hospital - Chicago
Chicago Shriners Hospital - Chicago
Children's Memorial Hospital - Chicago
Christ Hospital and Medical Center - Oak Lawn
Clay County Hospital - Flora
Columbus Hospital - Chicago
Community Health Systems
Crossroads Community Hospital - Mount Vernon
Gateway Regional Medical Center - Granite City
Heartland Regional Medical Center - Marion
Red Bud Regional Hospital - Red Bud
Community Hospital of Ottawa - Ottawa
Community Medical Center - Monmouth
Community Memorial Hospital - Staunton
Condell Health Network - Libertyville
Cook County Bureau of Health Services - Chicago
Cermak Health Services - Chicago
John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital - Chicago
Oak Forest Hospital - Oak Forest
Provident Hospital - Chicago
Ruth M. Rohnstein CORE Center - Chicago
Crawford Memorial Hospital & Health Services - Robinson
Crossroads Community Hospital - Mount Vernon
Culbertson Memorial Hospital - Rushville, Schuyler County
D
Decatur Memorial Hospital - Decatur
Delnor Community Health System - Geneva
Dr. John Warner Hospital - Clinton, De Witt County
E
Edward A. Utlaut Memorial Hospital - Greenville
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital - Hines, Cook County
Edward Hospital - Naperville
Edward Hospital & Health Services - Naperville
Edward Hospital - Naperville
Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward - Naperville
Elmhurst Memorial Health Care - Elmhurst
Eureka Community Hospital - Eureka
Evanston Hospital - Evanston
Evanston Northwestern Healthcare - Evanston
Evanston Hospital - Evanston
Glenbrook Hospital - Glenview
Highland Park Hospital - Highland Park
F
Fairfield Memorial Hospital - Fairfield
Fayette County Hospital - Vandalia
Ferrell Hospital - Eldorado
Franklin Hospital - Benton, Franklin County
Freeport Health Network - Freeport
G
Galena-Stauss Hospital & Nursing Home - Galena
Galesburg Cottage Hospital - Galesburg
Gateway Regional Medical Center - Granite City
Genesis Health System
Illini Hospital - Silvis, Rock Island County
Gibson Area Hospital - Gibson City
Glenbrook Hospital - Glenview
GlenOaks Hospital - Glendale Heights
Good Samaritan Hospital - Downers Grove
Good Shepherd Hospital - Barrington
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital - Melrose Park, Cook County
Graham Hospital - Canton, Fulton County
H
Hamilton Memorial Hospital District - McLeansboro
Hammond-Henry Hospital - Geneseo
Hardin County General Hospital & Clinic - Rosiclare, Hardin County
Harrisburg Medical Center - Harrisburg
Harvard Memorial Hospital and Bariatric Center - Harvard
HartGrove Hospital - Chicago
Heartland Regional Medical Center - Marion
Herrin Hospital - Herrin
Highland Park Hospital - Highland Park
Hillsboro Area Hospital - Hillsboro
Hinsdale Hospital - Hinsdale
Holy Cross Hospital - Chicago
Holy Family Medical Center - Des Plaines
Hoopeston Regional Health Center - Hoopeston
Hospital Sisters Health System - Springfield
Saint Anthony's Memorial Hospital - Effingham
Saint Elizabeth's Hospital - Belleville
Saint Francis Hospital - Litchfield
Saint John's Hospital - Springfield
Saint Joseph's Hospital - Breese
Saint Joseph's Hospital - Highland
Saint Mary's Hospital - Decatur
Saint Mary's Hospital - Streator
I
Illini Community Hospital - Pittsfield
Illini Hospital - Silvis, Rock Island County
Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Chicago
Illinois Valley Community Hospital - Peru
Ingalls Health System - Harvey, Cook County
Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Peoria
Iroquois Memorial Hospital & Resident Home - Watseka
J
Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center - Chicago
Jersey Community Hospital Medical Campus - Jerseyville, Jersey County
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center - Chicago
John and Mary E. Kirby Hospital - Monticello
John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital - Chicago
K
Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital - Dixon
Kewanee Hospital - Kewanee
Kindred Chicago Central Hospital - Chicago
Kindred Chicago Lakeshore - Chicago
Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Chicago Central Hospital - Chicago
Kindred Chicago Lakeshore - Chicago
Kindred Hospital Chicago (North Campus) - Chicago
Kindred Hospital Chicago (Northlake Campus) - Northlake
Kindred Hospital Sycamore - Sycamore
Kindred Hospital Chicago (North Campus) - Chicago
Kindred Hospital Chicago (Northlake Campus) - Northlake
Kindred Hospital Sycamore - Sycamore
Kishwaukee Community Hospital - DeKalb
Kishwaukee Health System - DeKalb
Kishwaukee Community Hospital - DeKalb
Valley West Community Hospital - Sandwich
KSB Hospital - Dixon
Kindred Chicago Central Hospital - Chicago
L
Lake Forest Hospital - Lake Forest
La Rabida Children's Hospital - Chicago
La Grange Memorial Hospital - La Grange
Lawrence County Memorial Hospital - Lawrenceville
Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward - Naperville
Little Company of Mary Hospital - Evergreen Park
Loretto Hospital - Chicago
Weiss Memorial Hospital - Chicago
Loyola University Health System - Maywood
Lutheran General Hospital - Park Ridge
M
MacNeal Hospital - Berwyn
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital - Wheaton
Marion Memorial Hospital - Marion
Marion VA Medical Center - Marion
Marshall Browning Hospital - Du Quoin
Mason District Hospital - Havana, Mason County
Massac Memorial Hospital - Metropolis
Mc Donough District Hospital - Macomb
Memorial Health System - Springfield
Memorial Hospital - Belleville
Memorial Hospital - Carthage
Memorial Hospital - Chester
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale - Carbondale
Memorial Medical Center - Springfield
Memorial Medical Center - Woodstock
Mendota Community Hospital - Mendota
Mercer County Hospital - Aledo, Mercer County
Mercy Hospital and Medical Center - Chicago
Methodist Hospital of Chicago - Chicago
Methodist Medical Center of Illinois - Peoria
Midwestern Regional Medical Center - Zion
Morris Hospital - Morris
Morrison Community Hospital - Morrison
Mount Sinai Hospital - Chicago
N
North Chicago VA Medical Center - North Chicago
Northern Illinois Medical Center - McHenry
Northwest Community Healthcare - Arlington Heights
Northwest Suburban Community Hospital - Belvidere
Northwestern Memorial Hospital - Chicago
Norwegian American Hospital - Chicago
O
Oak Forest Hospital - Oak Forest
Oak Park Hospital - Oak Park
OSF Healthcare System - Peoria
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center - Rockford
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center - Peoria
OSF Saint James - John W. Albrecht Medical Center - Pontiac
OSF Saint Joseph Medical Center - Bloomington
OSF Saint Mary Medical Center - Galesburg
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center - Rockford
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center - Peoria
OSF Saint James - John W. Albrecht Medical Center - Pontiac
OSF Saint Joseph Medical Center - Bloomington
OSF Saint Mary Medical Center - Galesburg
Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center - Chicago
P
Palos Community Hospital - Palos Heights
Pana Community Hospital - Pana
Paris Community Hospital - Paris
Passavant Area Hospital - Jacksonville
Pavilion Behavioral Health System, The - Champaign
Pekin Hospital - Pekin
Perry Memorial Hospital - Princeton
Pinckneyville Community Hospital - Pinckneyville
Prairie Heart Institute - Springfield
Proctor Hospital - Peoria
Provena Covenant Medical Center - Urbana
Provena Mercy Center - Aurora
Provena Saint Joseph Hospital - Elgin
Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet
Provena Saint Mary's Hospital - Kankakee
Provena Saint Therese Medical Center - Waukegan
Provena United Samaritans Medical Center - Danville
Provident Hospital - Chicago
Q
R
Ravenswood Hospital Medical Center - Chicago
Red Bud Regional Hospital - Red Bud
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago - Chicago
Resurrection Health Care - Chicago
Holy Family Medical Center - Des Plaines
Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center - Chicago
Resurrection Medical Center - Chicago
Saint Elizabeth Medical Center - Chicago
Saint Francis Hospital - Evanston
Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago
Saint Mary Medical Center - Chicago
West Suburban Medical Center - Oak Park
Westlake Hospital - Melrose Park
Resurrection Medical Center - Chicago
Richland Memorial Hospital - Olney, Richland County
Riveredge Hospital - Forest Park
Riverside HealthCare - Kankakee
RML Specialty Hospital - Hinsdale
Rochelle Community Hospital - Rochelle
Rockford Health System - Rockford
Roseland Community Hospital - Chicago
Rush-Copley Medical Center - Aurora
Rush North Shore Medical Center - Skokie
Rush University Medical Center - Chicago
Ruth M. Rohnstein CORE Center - Chicago
S
Saint Alexius Medical Center - Hoffman Estates
Saint Anthony Hospital - Chicago
Saint Anthony's Health Center - Alton
Saint Anthony's Hospital - Alton
Saint Clare's Hospital - Alton
Saint Anthony's Hospital - Alton
Saint Anthony's Memorial Hospital - Effingham
Saint Clare's Hospital - Alton
Saint Elizabeth Medical Center - Chicago
Saint Elizabeth's Hospital - Belleville
Saint Francis Hospital - Evanston
Saint Francis Hospital - Litchfield
Saint Francis Hospital & Health Center - Blue Island
Saint James Hospital - Chicago Heights & Olympia Fields
Saint John's Hospital - Springfield
Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago
Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital - Murphysboro
Saint Joseph's Hospital - Breese
Saint Joseph's Hospital - Highland
Saint Margaret's Hospital - Spring Valley
Saint Mary Medical Center - Chicago
Saint Marys - Good Samaritan Inc. - Mount Vernon
Saint Mary's Hospital - Centralia
Saint Mary's Hospital - Decatur
Saint Mary's Hospital - East Saint Louis
Saint Mary's Hospital - Streator
Saint Vincent Memorial Hospital - Taylorville
Salem Township Hospital - Salem
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center - Mattoon
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital - Chicago
Chicago Comprehensive Aphasia Center - Chicago
Scott AFB Hospital - Scott Air Force Base
Shelby Memorial Hospital - Shelbyville
Sherman Health Systems - Elgin
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Chicago
Sinai Health System - Chicago
Mount Sinai Hospital - Chicago
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital - Chicago
Silver Cross Hospital and Medical Centers - Joliet
Southern Illinois Healthcare - Carbondale
Ferrell Hospital - Eldorado
Herrin Hospital - Herrin
Memorial Hospital of Carbondale - Carbondale
Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital - Murphysboro
South Shore Hospital - Chicago.
South Suburban Hospital - Hazel Crest
Sparta Community Hospital - Sparta
Streamwood Hospital - Streamwood
Swedish American Health System - Rockford
Swedish Covenant Hospital - Chicago
T
Thomas H. Boyd Memorial Hospital - Canton
Thorek Hospital and Medical Center - Chicago
Touchette Regional Hospital - Centreville
Trinity Hospital - Chicago
Trinity Regional Health System - Moline & Rock Island Illinois/Davenport, Iowa
U
Union County Hospital District - Anna, Union County
Universal Health Services
HartGrove Hospital - Chicago
Pavilion Behavioral Health System, The - Champaign
University of Chicago Children's Hospital - Chicago
University of Chicago Hospitals - Chicago
University of Chicago Children's Hospital - Chicago
University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago - Chicago
Utlaut Heath Services - Greenville
Edward A. Utlaut Memorial Hospital - Greenville
V
VA Great Lakes Health Care System (VISN 12) - Hines, Cook County
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital - Hines, Cook County
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center - Chicago
North Chicago VA Medical Center - North Chicago
VA Illiana Health Care System - Danville
Valley West Community Hospital - Sandwich
Van Matre Health South Rehabilitation Hospital - Rockford
Vanguard Health Systems
MacNeal Hospital - Berwyn
Weiss Memorial Hospital - Chicago
Victory Memorial Hospital - Waukegan
Vista Health - Lake County
W
Wabash General Hospital - Mount Carmel
Washington County Hospital & Rural Clinic - Nashville, Washington County
Weiss Memorial Hospital - Chicago
West Suburban Medical Center - Oak Park
Westlake Hospital - Melrose Park
White County Medical Center - Carmi
X
Y
Z
|
