Chicago Nursing Schools BSN... Need Info Please...

Jolie, BSN · Feb 11, 2008

U of I is very competitive for a good reason: it is an excellent nursing program with national recognition, and since it is a state school, tuition is relatively low. If you are accepted there, you will get one of the best values available in nursing education.

Northern (in DeKalb) also offers excellent value in terms of low tuition and a well regarded program.

St. Xavier on the South side is a private school, with higher costs, but also an excellent program.

Good luck to you!

chicagobsn · Apr 13, 2008

Im graduating with my next month from Benedictine University in Lisle. Its a great program its accelerated, and you go full time at night for about 1 yr, at its mainly off campus at COD, for 200 a credit hr. There is minimal tests, mostly papers, and a few clinicals to do out in the community. Overall it was a good experience. There small cohorts, about 28-30 people get in at one time. Depends on what you like and are looking for.

You can apply for FASFA, to get pell and map grants. If you dont qualify you can fill out scholarships through the university specifically for their BSN program. Of course theres always loans, but its well worth it.

hope this helps, and good luck to you!

Emma Peel · Apr 27, 2008

Hi Everyone. I am looking around for a nursing school in the Chicagoland area, city and burbs. I already have a B.S. in Marketing and am looking for a BSN program. I am not interested in the Direct Entry Master's programs that are being offered. I am considering UIC and Loyola. I know UIC is very competitive and I've read some negative things about the Loyola ABSN program so now I'm very unsure of where I should go. Any info would help!
Also, are there any sort of State or Gov funded programs to help get my schooling paid for?
Thank you!!!

One of my nursing instructors went to St Xavier and she said it was a wonderful experience. The private schools are more expensive than state schools, but usually their financial aid depts are VERY helpful, because their enrollment numbers depend on students getting aid and loans. They will definitely help you get whatever financial assistance you are entitled to...

Good luck,

Jen

Simpson54 · Jan 24, 2011

I am in somewhat of the same boat. I graduated in 2010 with a degree in marketing and a minor in business admin but have recently decided to go back to school for nursing. After reading many many many discussions on here concerning people with the same questions...what program to choose, where to go, ABSN, BSN, or ADN?...I have decided that the best path for me is to go the ADN route. I really wanted to go to a university and start the ABSN program but the list of prereqs made this almost a 3 year program for me. Plus I have heard some really great things about ADN programs. However I am completely lost when it comes to finding the right school. I live in Chicago and always use public trans so somewhere in Chicago would be great! I have jstu heard so many terrible things about a couple of community colleges that people said they graduated and didnt really learn anything so they failed their boards or that the waiting list to get in took 2 years. All of this is very over whelming and I dont want to miss any deadlines but when I have contacted the schools I didn't get much help. Does anyone have any suggestions of places that offer the ADN program and are legit schools where i can get the esucation i need in the time and affordable price range i am looking for. Also a quick question does anyone not recommend getting my ADN? I don't want to go through all the work only to find that I need my BSN so get a job in Chicago.

Thanks in advance your the help!!

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jan 26, 2011

In the city? You're stuck with the City's Community Colleges or with with Robert Morris, which is private and thus really expensive for just an ADN.

Also, have you looked at the prereq list for the ADN schools? Are they that much less burdensome than the BSN lists?

Further, for a list of all the nursing programs in the state, go here: http://nursing.illinois.gov/education.asp

Nakia_prospective_RN · Jan 31, 2011

From the research I have done the prereqs are pretty much the same you may come out cheaper because it is a community college but in the long run it is better to get your BSN.

StyleNurse, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2011

Hi there! UIC is very competitive and I was discouraged to apply but I did and I've been accepted for fall 2011 so it's not impossible. It never hurts to try! :yeah: Truman is the best ADN program of the City Colleges. There is also a BSN program at Resurrection University. Tuition is expensive but it's a 16 month accelerated program. All the programs require different pre reqs. North Park University is supposed to have a great nursing program as well. Good luck on your decision! :nurse: