Becoming an LPN in Chicago

There are currently three schools in Chicago offering prospective students LPN programs. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2021, 12,860 licensed practical nurses were employed in the Chicago Metropolitan Area (including Elgin and Naperville). That amounted to around 12% of operational nurses in the Metro Area. Over the coming decade, the BLS predicts a much higher-than-average increase in nursing work due to the aging population.

The time it takes to complete an LPN program depends on how the school determines the structure. Typically, a full-time approach takes 12-15 months, while part-time takes around 24 months.

The Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation approves training programs and licensing in Chicago.

Normally, LPN students can expect to study:

• Physiology and Anatomy
• Human Development
• Nutrition
• Pharmacology
• Nursing Care
• Psychosocial Nursing
• Maternity & Pediatrics
• Gerontology / Older Care
• Leadership
• Gynecology / Obstetrics
• Mental Health

Schools That Offer LPN Programs in Chicago, IL

City Colleges of Chicago – Wilbur Wright

• Website: https://www.ccc.edu/careers/Pages/Licensed-Practical-and-Licensed-Vocational-Nurses-.aspx
• Address: 4300 N. Narragansett Ave Chicago, IL 60634
• Phone: (773) 777-7900

At Wilbur Wright, students will learn a variety of practical skills, including administering medication, patient observation, and using and assembling basic care technology. They are taught via classroom lectures, simulated clinical settings, and actual work experience. The curriculum is delivered by experienced nursing faculty.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed online application
• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum GPA of 2.5
• Submit to criminal background checks
• Submit to a drug screening
• Pre-requisite demonstration of college-level math. You can either submit coursework or take a test
• Also, pre-requisite courses in biology and English
• Pre-admission exam

Verve College

• Website: https://vervecollege.edu/programs/pn-program/
• Address: 216 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 900, Chicago, IL
• Phone: (312) 920-8822

This 12 to 14 month program prepares students via modern blended learning, including lab work. The college has its own labs and utilizes facilities at local hospitals and care facilities, so students get a well-rounded education, including time spent in the classroom. A minimum B grade is required for each module to proceed to the NCLEX-PN, which allows you to practice.

Admission Requirements:

• Application with a $75.00 non-refundable fee
• CNA Certification
• High School Diploma or GED. Alternatively, a minimum of 8 hours from an accredited US College/University
• ATI-TEAS Entrance Examination to be taken at Verve College: cost $50. External ATI-TEAS exam results are not accepted
• Valid Illinois ID or Driver’s License
• Submit to background check & sanctions
• Drug screening
• Physical exam signed by an authorized healthcare professional
• Current TB/PPD test. Taken no longer ago than one year before program commencement
• Pre-requisite Immunizations are MMRV, Tetanus, and Hepatitis B
• Proof of personal medical insurance
• Current CPR/BLS card
• Admissions essay between 400-500 words, typed and double-spaced. Must cover why you want to be a PN and what you plan to do with your career
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• Professional liability insurance
• Social Security Card

ATS Institute of Technology

• Website: http://atsinstitute.edu/wp_chicago/?page_id=14
• Address: 25 East Washington St, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60602
• Phone: 312-214-2000

This three-semester program mixes traditional college classroom study, including theory and on-the-job experience. The college also has a simulated lab designed around real clinical settings for the best educational experience. Toward the end of the program, students transfer those skills to actual clinical settings.

Admission Requirements:

• Application form plus non-refundable $30 application fee
• Pass the entrance exam in line with the minimum pass mark
• High school diploma or equivalent – submit transcripts
• College transcripts if you plan to use those credits toward a degree
• Mandatory background check
• Mandatory orientation session
• Enrollment agreement and disclosure form
• Signed documentation to permit clinical experience
• CPR certification – current and valid
• Up-to-date immunization record

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Chicago

New practical nurses in Chicago can expect employment at some organizations. This list is not exhaustive:

• The University of Chicago Medicine
• Northwestern Medicine
• Mercy Circle
• VITAS Healthcare
• OSF HealthCare
• PCC Community Wellness Center
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• Chicago Public Schools
• Matrix Medical Network

Other healthcare facilities:

• Pathway to Living LLC
• US Veterans Health Administration
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL

Chicago NCLEX-PN Pass Rates

Top Ranked LPN Programs in Chicago

Listed below are the top LPN schools in Chicago based on our LPN program rankings for IL out of 38 other accredited programs offered in the state:

• Ambria College of Nursing - #1

LPN Programs Near Me in Chicago

Chicago

Des Plaines

Glen Ellyn

Hanover Park

Hoffman Estates

Lombard

Markham

Matteson

Oak Brook

Palatine

Park Ridge

Romeoville

Wheeling

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