Online ABSN for Illinois Residents
Illinois is the place to become a Registered Nurse.
Jobs for Registered Nurses (RNs) are expected to increase 12.4 percent in Illinois by 2028, with an average of 9,260 openings each year.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area is the number three top metropolitan area with the highest employment of RNs across the country, clocking in at 94,640 employed RNs. According to the BLS, the annual mean wage in the state is $82,220.
There’s a lot to love about the Land of Lincoln—including the many possibilities for your career. Engage next-level education, create new opportunities, and improve patient outcomes as an RN in Illinois.
Ready to make a change? Let’s find the online ABSN program that’s right for you.
Get Started on Your Illinois Nursing Career Sooner
An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can be completed in under two years.
Nurses with a BSN are becoming the industry standard, with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing strongly encouraging nurses to obtain bachelor’s degrees. Employers are also seeking to fulfill the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of an 80 percent bachelor-holding workforce.
Universities nationwide are offering a host of accredited, online ABSN programs with various specializations open to residents of Illinois. More than ever before, you can choose a career path that best suits your interests, background, and career goals.
12.4%
increase in Illinois nursing jobs by 2028
9,260
nursing job openings per year
$82,220
average salary for a nurse in Michigan
How to Get Your Nursing License in Illinois
According to the Illinois Board of Nursing, the state’s nursing licensure requirements are*:
- Graduation and transcripts from an approved ADN or BSN program
- Passing score on the NCLEX exam
- Application and application fee of $50
- Criminal background check
Illinois is not currently a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. Nurses with an NLC license can practice in their home state and any other Compact state or US territory that honors the Compact.
* The information in this resource is up to date as of March 2024. Remember that state-specific requirements for licensure change often, so you should also check the official nursing board website for your state to verify the current standards.
Find Your Passion and Your Specialty as a Nurse in Illinois
Specializing gives nurses the opportunity to focus on a specific area of care and hone their clinical skills. Nurses who specialize can also choose from a wide variety of work environments.
Here are just a few examples of available nursing specialties:
- Clinical Development Specialist
- Geriatrics Specialist
- Hospice Nurse
- Home Health Care
- Infection Control
- Labor and Delivery Nurse
- Nurse Educator
With nearly 3 million nurses nationwide, those who pursue a specialty are in prime position to receive top pay in their field—especially as experience is gained.
Elmhurst University Online ABSN Program
Elmhurst University is a private liberal arts college located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Illinois. The school not only offers in-person classes, but also an online ABSN program. Requirements for this program include:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- A minimum 3.2 GPA
- 25 credit hours in the following prerequisite courses:
- Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- Microbiology with Lab
- Statistics
- Chemistry with Lab
- Lifespan Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
Just a few advantages of this unique program include:
- Award winning – The distance ABSN program at Elmhurst is the only one of its kind in Illinois, and U.S. News ranks it the #3 Most Innovative School in the Midwest and the #7 Best Undergraduate Teaching in the Midwest. The program is also accredited by the CCNE.
- Full time and fast paced – This full time program can be completed in as little as 16 months. Elmhurst also accepts a large variety of credits from other programs, allowing graduates to complete their core requirements with greater ease.
- Support – Every student will have full access to a staff of advisors. Your advisor will be there to help every step of the process, from application to graduation.
