Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois: Finding a School

Inside Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois

If you’re a registered nurse in Illinois looking to further your education with a bachelor’s degree, you probably know that graduating from an RN to BSN degree program can help you qualify for leadership roles and even command a higher salary. With more than 30 schools offering an RN to BSN program in Illinois, you may not be sure where and how to start your school search, but we’re here to help.

Below are three schools that stand out in terms of affordability, accreditation, and curriculum. Even if the spotlighted schools aren’t a good fit for you, they can be useful guideposts when comparing programs. Plus, they give you’ll get a better idea of what components can be completed online or in-person, since most bridge programs in Illinois are hybrid.

FAQs for Illinois RN to BSN Online Students

Reading about individual programs is a great way to familiarize yourself with online RN to BSN programs, but school spotlights won’t answer all your questions. To address any other pressing concerns you may have, our team rounded up the most frequently asked questions. Below are the answers with free resources to learn more about financial aid, succeeding academically, and more.

What will I learn in an RN to BSN program in Illinois?

Topics include research, leadership and management, public health, influencing others through evidence-based healthcare, and effective communication. You will also learn how to use ethical decision-making frameworks and the Code of Ethics for Nurses to anticipate issues, guide your nursing practice, and resolve conflicts related to health care.

The BSN curriculum will cover many different topics designed to enhance the knowledge and experience you already have as a nurse. For example, a pharmacogenomics class is required in Eastern Illinois University’s curriculum to help students better understand human genetics and genomics, which is needed to enhance the management of illness and disease.

How long is an RN to BSN program in Illinois?

An RN to BSN program in Illinois can take anywhere from six months to over 18 months to complete. The length of time it takes to complete your program will depend on a variety of circumstances, including if you’re working while attending school, whether you’re attending full-time or part-time, and if you’re in an accelerated program.

How much do RN to BSN programs in Illinois cost?

Tuition for RN to BSN programs typically costs between $10,000-$20,000. Each university or college has different tuition prices, so the cost will depend on where you go.

Most nursing programs have a cost per credit or a set program cost vs a semester cost. Be sure to research tuition before choosing a school, and pay attention to financial aid opportunities offered by the school and state or federal organizations.

What requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Illinois?

There are a few common requirements that almost every program has. They are:

• Minimum GPA of 2.5
• Current, unencumbered RN license
• Transcripts from prior educational institutions

Some schools have special admission requirements or stipulations. You may be required to pay admission fees, be employed as a nurse, have earned a specific GPA in previous work, or have taken specific classes before applying. Each program will have slightly different admission requirements, so be sure to check their websites.

How Do I Become an RN with a BSN in Illinois?

Nurses need to be licensed to practice by the Illinois Board of Nursing, and the licensing requirements needed to work as an RN in Illinois include the following:

• Enrollment in at least two years of study in an approved program
• Passing the NCLEX-RN exam within three years of applying to the board

Once you have completed your education at an approved program, you must submit proof of graduation before you can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you have received word that you have passed the exam, you may practice under supervision as a “pending license” nurse.

If you are from out of state and wish to become licensed as a nurse in Illinois, you will need to provide license verification from any state you have previously worked in as a nurse in the past five years. NCLEX-RN exam results can be provided by the state of licensure or the testing company. If you are endorsed, you may be issued a temporary license so you can work before all the paperwork is processed.

Expert Insight

If you’re already an RN with an associate degree and have just earned a BSN, all you need to do is show proof of your new degree to your current or prospective employer (i.e., send an official transcript). This may result in an immediate pay raise, new position, or promotion.

Charmaine Robinson, RN, MSN

Illinois Salary Comparison: RN vs. BSN

Chicago is home to one of the densest clusters of academic medical centers in the country, think Northwestern Memorial, Rush, and University of Chicago Medicine, and job postings for their specialty units, research roles, and leadership tracks routinely spell out a bachelor's degree as the baseline. That pulls BSN pay closer to the top of this range. Associate-degree RNs find plenty of work too, particularly downstate, where hospitals are smaller and less picky about credentials, though those roles typically sit lower on the scale.

Illinois law also requires hospitals to maintain nurse staffing committees, which helps keep demand steady across the board.

Ranking the Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Illinois