According to a recent survey of working nurses in Illinois, one-third intend to retire in the next five years. According to the same survey, the younger nurses remaining in the workforce lack training in psychiatric, school, home health and community health nursing. In the short term, the state will experience an immediate labor shortage in these specialties. In the long term, it is estimated that 21,000 open nursing positions will remain unfilled by the year 2020.
These shortages represent enormous opportunity for nursing professionals in Illinois. RNs are particularly well positioned to take advantage of this employment demand by earning a BSN and capitalizing on the experience and education they already hold. Read on for a breakdown of each accredited RN-to-BSN program available in Illinois.
RN-to-BSN Programs in Illinois
Here we have compiled a comprehensive listing of Illinois’s RN to BSN programs. In the summaries below, you will find all the essential program information to help you quickly and easily narrow down your RN to BSN search.
Aurora University |
$
510
per hour on campus
$
425
per hour online
|
Application DeadlinesJanuary |
|
School Website | Campus and Online |
347 S Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506-4892 |
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|
Benedictine University |
$
305
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Campus |
5700 College Rd
Lisle, IL 60532-0900 |
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|
Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing |
$
400
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
Broadway at 11th Street
Quincy, IL 62305-7005 |
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|
Bradley University |
$
31,110
per semester
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Campus and Hybrid |
1501 W Bradley Ave
Peoria, IL 61625-0001 |
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|
Eastern Illinois University |
$
283
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920 |
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|
Elmhurst College |
$
575
per credit hour
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Campus and Hybrid |
190 Prospect Ave
Elmhurst, IL 60126 |
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|
Governors State University |
$
7,650
per semester
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Online |
1 University Pky
University Park, IL 60484 |
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|
Illinois State University |
$
28,440
program total
|
Application DeadlinesMarch 15 |
|
School Website | Online |
North and School Streets
Normal, IL 61790 |
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|
Lakeview College of Nursing |
$
420
per credit hour
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Hybrid |
903 N Logan Ave
Danville, IL 61832 |
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|
Lewis University |
$
14,470
per semester
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Campus |
One University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446-2200 |
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|
Loyola University of Chicago |
$
646
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
1032 W. Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60660 |
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|
MacMurray College |
$
480
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
447 East College Ave
Jacksonville, IL 62650-2590 |
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|
McKendree University |
$
340
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Campus |
701 College Rd
Lebanon, IL 62254-1291 |
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|
Methodist College |
$
623
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
415 St. Mark Court
Peoria, IL 61603 |
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|
Millikin University |
$
432
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Campus |
1184 W Main St
Decatur, IL 62522-2084 |
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|
North Park University |
$
575
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Campus |
3225 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60625-4895 |
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|
Northern Illinois University |
$
4,733
per semester
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Hybrid |
1425 W. Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, IL 60115 |
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|
Olivet Nazarene University |
$
452
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Hybrid and Online |
One University Avenue
Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2271 |
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|
Resurrection University |
$
569
per credit hour
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Hybrid |
1431 N. Claremont
Chicago, IL 60622 |
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|
Saint Anthony College of Nursing |
$
500
per credit hour
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Campus |
5658 E State St
Rockford, IL 61108-2468 |
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|
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing |
$
19,259
program total
|
Application Deadlines
|
|
School Website | Online |
511 NE Greenleaf St
Peoria, IL 61603-3783 |
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|
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
$
255
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
Il State Rte 157
Edwardsville, IL 62026 |
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|
St Johns College |
$
417
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
729 E. Carpenter St
Springfield, IL 62702 |
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|
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences |
$
687
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesNov. 1 |
|
School Website | Campus |
2122 - 25th Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201-5317 |
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|
University of Illinois at Chicago |
$
650
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
601 S Morgan
Chicago, IL 60607 |
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|
University of St. Francis |
$
620
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesRolling Admissions |
|
School Website | Online |
500 N Wilcox St
Joliet, IL 60435-6188 |
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|
Western Illinois University |
$
255
per credit hour
|
Application DeadlinesFall: August 1
|
|
School Website | Campus and Online |
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455 |
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Please contact the RN to BSN program in Illinois that you are interested in enrolling in to confirm details and to learn more. If you run an accredited RN to BSN program in Illinois that is not listed above; please reach out to us with program information and proof of accreditation. Thank you!
State Commitment to RN to BSN Education Paths
The Future of Nursing campaign is a nationwide effort to bring the country up to the standards of nursing as outlined in the 2010 Institute of Medicine Report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. As a part of the effort, Illinois has formed a State Action Coalition with the singular objective of achieving the goals set forth by the campaign. Having at least 80% of the nursing workforce hold a BSN degree is an integral part of this initiative and we have outlined below the ways in which Illinois is actively progressing on this front.
- Education
- Leadership
- Practice & Care
- Interprofessional Care
- Diversity
- Data
What is being done to increase the number of Illinois RN’s with a BSN?
The AC promotes best practices for seamless transition to BSN programs during annual Education Advancement Summits.
Are students enrolled via identified promising models of education progression?
Yes. RN to MSN Programs; and State or Regional Shared Curriculum.
What programs are being implemented to prepare nurses to lead change to advance health?
The AC has assembled several projects and a fellowship to promote higher education and career advancement for state nurses.
Is the Coalition working to remove barriers to RN level of care?
Yes. The state governor initiated a taskforce to review scope of practice issues for RNs. Work is also underway in the legislature to promote the role of nurses.
Are they advancing state policy to remove barriers to care provided by APRNs?
Yes. The state governor initiated a taskforce to review scope of practice issues for APRNS. Work is also underway in the legislature to promote the role of nurses.
Is the state working to improve communication, transparency, and cooperation between healthcare providers?
No specific plans announced.
How are they improving diversity of the nursing workforce and care provided?
No specific plans announced.
What steps are being taken to remove gaps in workforce and health care data?
A data workgroup plans to review and apply labor market data to steer and support strategic sector initiatives.
Contact Info
Susan Y. Swart
ANA Illinois
Linda B. Roberts
Illinois Center for Nursing
Sharon Canariato
Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders
Source: Campaign for Action
For a detailed progress report and additional workgroup contact information, please see the Illinois Action Coalition page.
Illinois Licensing
Illinois is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). An Illinois nursing license is only valid within Illinois. For licensing information, visit the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services.
Nursing Employment Outlook
Additional Information
-
Illinois Nursing Resources & Contact Information
View InfoJames R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 9-300
Chicago, IL 60601Phone: 312.814.2715
Fax: 312.814.3145P.O. Box 636
Manteno, IL 60950Phone: (815) 468-8804
Fax: (773) 305-5548
-
National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) Chapters in Illinois
View Info
-
State Health Departments and Organizations
View Info401 South Clinton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607954 West Washington Blvd.
Suite 405, Mailbox 10
Chicago, Illinois 60607535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Other State RNtoBSN Information
Looking for other RN-BSN information in a nearby state? We’ve got you covered:
Indiana RNtoBSN Information
Iowa RNtoBSN Information
Michigan RNtoBSN Information
Minnesota RNtoBSN Information
Wisconsin RNtoBSN Information