ADN required for BSN?

suebird3 · Mar 19, 2006

Hi all, I've loved cruising this site for info. I'm moving back to Chicago and want to persure BSN...I have BS in History and was an EMT for 2 years (pre-children) now single mom and hoping to get into a nursing program.
I've heard the ABSN progs are VeRY competeive with long waits....I have some more pre-reqs to complete, can I be on a wait-list while I do them? Anyone have advice on doing the MSN entry programs out there?
Also, what's the skinny on St.Xavier, UIC, Depaul and Loyola programs...anyhone have a strong opinion on any of these?
Lastly, I read in a thread somewhere that Illinois requires CNA degree FIRST? Is this true?
Thanks all!

Welcome to the Illinois Forum! As to the ADN required for the BSN: No, I had my LPN license, and went through Saint Xavier'sLPN to RN bridge program. Their School of Nursing is very good.

Yes, one needs to be a CNA before school now in Illinois. Good hands on training......

Suebird

Kathyz · Mar 19, 2006

Most of the suburban community colleges require the CNA class. However, if you enroll directly into a BSN program, they won't. DePaul and UIC only have a Master's program. St. Xavier and Elmhurst college do not offer accelerated programs. All four of the above schools are mainly for undergrad students. It seems that it's more difficult to become an RN once you already have a bachelors in another field.

You can go to a community college to receive your ADN and sit to be an RN. Then return to a university that has a RN-BSN completion program. There are many of those around.

Loyola, Rush and West Suburban College of Nursing in Oak Park all offer accelerated programs. So does Lewis Univ does in Romeoville. Yes, they're all very competitive.

Good luck!

suebird3 · Mar 19, 2006

Kathy, with all due respect, the SXU program does require the CNA course. Stated in the 2005-2006 Undergraduate handbook, page 105.

Suebird

Kathyz · Mar 20, 2006

My apologies. I don't know much about the program.

I know I'm correct on Loyola and Rush.

suebird3 · Mar 20, 2006

no problem, katie! i had asked about the "being a cna first" bit, and i was told that there are so many skills we need to know, that "teaching the basics" would be hard.

in a way, i think the cna route is a good introduction to nursing, wouldn't you say?

sueb

osunlove · Mar 20, 2006

Hello,

I am in a pre-nursing program at Kennedy King College and I have heard so many rumours about the CNA-first requirement, but nothing confirmed or consistent. But here is my major concern.... I am hearing rumors that my school, K.K. College has lost its National accrediation, meaning that graduates of this program cannot sit for the NCLEX, but they are eligible for a State RN license. What's really going on here?! How can I get a straight answer out of administration (they seem more concerned with keeping folks in the dark but in the program than telling the truth). Where do I go to get the truth? What is the value, on the grand-scale, of a state RN license than a National. I know it means more work opportunity, but if I chose just to do the state thing for now, what's the process for changing later? What will be the penalties?

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 21, 2006

Most of the suburban community colleges require the CNA class. However, if you enroll directly into a BSN program, they won't. DePaul and UIC only have a Master's program. St. Xavier and Elmhurst college do not offer accelerated programs. All four of the above schools are mainly for undergrad students. It seems that it's more difficult to become an RN once you already have a bachelors in another field.
You can go to a community college to receive your ADN and sit to be an RN. Then return to a university that has a RN-BSN completion program. There are many of those around.
Loyola, Rush and West Suburban College of Nursing in Oak Park all offer accelerated programs. So does Lewis Univ does in Romeoville. Yes, they're all very competitive.
Good luck!

Hello there,

Just want to clarify that UIC does actually have a well reknowned BSN program as I recall. Unless they dropped it in the last year?

I am in the DePaul Masters entry to nursing program and find it very intense. I love it. Originally I was registered at Prairie State College for their Associate program, (a junior college that I consider highly based on their NCLEX pass rates and how they treated me throughout the entire application process and in regards to how well they answered my questions and thier encouragment).

The masters entry programs do not require a CNA,although several of my classmates and myself are CNAs. Actually, maybe some do require it but, DePaul doesn't nor does UIC's general entry program for Nurse Practitioners.

However, UICs general entry program doesn't grant you the official MSN until you complete the NP portion too, (more than four years all together). They do allow you to sit for the NCLEX after the intense 15 month preNCLEX portion but, you do not earn any degree or certificate from the University until much later in the program.

Originally I hoped to be accepted for them but, am sooooo grateful that I was passed over and got accepted into DePaul's program, (so I opened my seat at PSC for another hopeful!) DePaul's program is modeled directly after the USFC program which has gained much recognition.

BEST of WISHES!

Gen

Jolie, BSN · Mar 22, 2006

Hello,
I am in a pre-nursing program at Kennedy King College and I have heard so many rumours about the CNA-first requirement, but nothing confirmed or consistent. But here is my major concern.... I am hearing rumors that my school, K.K. College has lost its National accrediation, meaning that graduates of this program cannot sit for the NCLEX, but they are eligible for a State RN license. What's really going on here?! How can I get a straight answer out of administration (they seem more concerned with keeping folks in the dark but in the program than telling the truth). Where do I go to get the truth? What is the value, on the grand-scale, of a state RN license than a National. I know it means more work opportunity, but if I chose just to do the state thing for now, what's the process for changing later? What will be the penalties?

Please contact the IDPR for clarification on this issue. National accreditation of a nursing education program, usually by the NLN, is NOT required for graduates to sit for NCLEX, which is the only route to licensure for newly graduated RN candidates. NLN accreditation may be required by graduate schools for RNs who wish to obtain Master's Degrees, but it has no bearing on eligibility for NCLEX or state licensure. There is no such thing as a national RN license. You must obtain a license in the state in which you wish to practice.

Now, a school MUST be accredited by the State of IL to grant degrees. If a nursing education program lacks STATE accreditation, its graduates will not be eligible to sit for NCLEX, and their degrees will be worthless in terms of obtaining RN licensure.

Good luck!

MidLifeRN2012 · Apr 11, 2006

Hello! I am going back to school for nursing after doing all the prereqs 13 years ago. (I couldn't continue in the nursing program due to family crisis and the inability to quit my day job since all nursing programs here in IL are daytime only and my job was days). I have to retake all of the science classes as it has been over 5 years.

I did receive my CNA license in 1991 and worked part-time (in addition to my full-time office job) as a CNA from 1991-1994. I have not worked as CNA since.

Did my license expire (Illinois) and do I have to retake the whole course over again if I wanted to become a CNA while going through a nursing program? Or could I just re-test with the state after reading thru an updated CNA textbook?