Illinois Nursing Colleges

Browse nursing schools below.

Registered Nursing College Programs in Illinois
Olympia College* (Burr Ridge, Chicago, Skokie) - Massage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assistant, Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding

There are three major educational paths to registered nursing: a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. In 2002, 678 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor’s level. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. About 700 RN programs in 2002 were at the ADN level. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Only a small and declining number of programs offer diplomas. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses. We have a list of nursing schools with programs available to you in Illinois below. Also please use the Nursing Career Guide as a resource if you are looking for additional information on nursing careers, training, job outlook etc.

Online Nursing Colleges

Kaplan University (Online)
Kaplan University helps students looking to either change or advance their careers by offering online flexibility, reduced costs, financial aid assistance, and a fast path to a degree. The instructors at Kaplan have the academic background and professional experience that allows them to pass on real-world knowledge to their students. The degree programs have a curriculum that is focused on career goals, and they feature various areas of emphasis. Programs: Accounting - Alternative Dispute Resolution - Branding and Visual Communications - Business - Business Administration/Accounting - Business Administration/Management - Business and Communications Entrepreneur - Computer Information Systems - Corrections - Criminal Justice - Database - E-Business - Elementary - Finance - Health Care Management - Information Technology - Law Enforcement - Management - Management of Information Systems - Management/Health Care Management - Multimedia and Animation - Networking - Paralegal Studies - Private Security - Programming - Sales and Marketing - Secondary - Teaching and Learning - Teaching Literacy and Language - Teaching Students With Special Needs - Teaching With Technology - Web Development - Web Optimization and Integration.

Jacksonville University
RNs with an accredited AA degree may be well on their way towards their BSN degree. Jacksonville University will award up to 32 credit hours for students with an RN license and a maximum of 64 transfer credits from other regionally accredited universities and institutions of higher learning. JU also accepts up to 32 hours through CLEP exams. Programs: RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Location: Online.

University of Phoenix Campus - Campuses Nationwide
Since 1976, University of Phoenix has been a recognized leader in adult education. Their commitment to high educational standards and exceptional student service has made them the largest private accredited university in the United States. With campuses in over 140 locations, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of working professionals achieve their academic and career goals every year. Programs Browse all Programs. Campus Locations: Find a campus near you.

Liberty University
Programs: - Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) - Business - Business (MBA) - Counseling - Divinity (M.Div.) - Doctor of Education - Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) - Ed.D – Doctor of Education - Ed.S – Education Specialist - Education (M.Ed.) - General Studies - Nursing Degree Completion Program - Ph.D. Counseling - Psychology (BS) - Religion - Theology Degree (T h.M.)
Locations: New York NY.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT:NURSE EXECUTIVE

Background:

The essence and values of nursing form the basis for all nursing roles and are the foundation for the advanced practice of nursing administration. The elements that guide nurse executive practice include:

Networks of wellness, acute care, ambulatory and long term care providers
Collaboration among health professionals in interdependent functions
Partnerships with consumers
Collective accountability
Advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves
Leadership in cost effective patient care

Within the continuum of nursing executive practice there exist varying titles and an evolving, dynamic configuration of functions. There are varied scopes of accountability and focuses of practice. Influencing, direction setting, designing the processes for care delivery, and system development are some of the functions that have evolved into nurse executive practice.

Roles:

The role of nurses in executive practice has evolved from a focus on nursing services to a broader accountability for patient care services across the healthcare continuum. This expansion of role responsibilities positions nurse executives as members of the senior leadership team. Major themes in all dimensions of this role are collaboration, coaching, mentoring, diversity, co-creating, communicating and coordinating outcomes management, and enabling the spirit of the community.

The key roles of nurse executives include facilitating the design of patient care delivery; advancing the discipline of nursing; building relationships and connections with staff and colleagues; and fostering stewardship. Specifically, nurse executives demonstrate leadership in the following ways:

serve as role models in exemplifying the mission and vision of their organization;
value diversity and promote cultural competence;
serve as effective communicators and architects of change;
encourage creativity and innovation from staff;
serve as educators and provide learning and growth opportunities for staff;
understand and promote quality improvement and systems-thinking
maintain knowledge of the field through continuing education, attendance and membership at regional or national nursing association meetings;
serve as team players and team leaders; and
demonstrate financial accountability.

Specialties:

Nurse executive specialties include management and administration. For specialty hospitals, preference may be given to nurses with clinical experience in that specialty field (i.e. Children’s Hospital recommends pediatric experience).

Qualifications:

Nurse executives must have strong leadership and management skills, along with critical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills. Graduation from accredited school with master’s degree in nursing administration; hospital or business administration; or equivalent experience.

Nurse executives are required to maintain current licensure in the state in which they work.

Practice Settings:

Hospitals and Health Systems; Schools of Nursing; serve as consultants.

Salary Range:

In 1999, according to the 2000 Hay Hospital Compensation Survey, nurse executives nationally earned salaries ranging between $77,600 and $140,000 across a range of disciplines.

Education:

Nurse executives are Master’s and/or Doctorate-level prepared nurses in a wide range of disciplines.

Associations:

American Organization of Nurse Executives
325 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Telephone: 202/626.2240
Fax: 202/638.5499
E-mail: aone@aone.org
Web site: www.aone.org

Publications:

AONE News Update and AONE e-News Update
Discussion Toolkit for Perspectives on the Nursing Shortage: A Blueprint for Action - February 2001
Perspectives on the Nursing Shortage: A Blueprint for Action – October 2000
Nurse Recruitment and Retention Survey – January 2000
The Nurse Licensure Compact: Analysis and Recommendations – An AONE Monograph
Research on Nursing Staff Shortages – February 1999
The Nursing Management Minimum Data Set Monograph

All publications can be found at www.aone.org