Established in 1893 as Mendota Seminary, Aurora University is a private, four-year institute in Illinois' second largest city of Aurora. It features two nursing degree options within the School of Nursing. Aurora's BSN degree program has two tracks, one for registered nurses and the other for new nursing students. Admissions requirements for the latter track include a number of core science courses such as Anatomy and Physiology, Principles of Chemistry and College Algebra, as well as designated English courses. Alternatively, students matriculated into the university's RN to BSN program must be recent graduates of an accredited nursing school or have clinical experience in the field within the past five years.
Aurora University
347 South Gladstone Ave.
Aurora, IL 60506
630-892-6431
aurora.edu
Included in the U.S. New & World Report list of best colleges and universities in the Midwestern United States for five consecutive years, Western Illinois University offers options for nursing students at various levels, including registered nurses. In order to matriculate into the School of Nursing's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, prospective students first must be admitted into the university, and subsequently declare a pre-BSN major. As a pre-BSN student, students are not necessarily guaranteed admission into the BSN program. Pre-BSN students must complete required prerequisites, including General Chemistry I and II, Human Anatomy and Introductory Microbiology, among others. Upon admission into the BSN program, students choose from a basic nursing track and one designed for registered nurses. Courses include Systems of Care in Professional Nursing, Pharmacology and Mental Health Nursing.
Western Illinois University
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
309-295-1414
wiu.edu
Loyola University Chicago's Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing is the largest Jesuit-affiliated nursing school in the United States. The school features an expansive academic catalog of nursing programs, including undergraduate BSN options for freshmen and transfer students, as well as accelerated students who already have completed a substantial portion of the prerequisite coursework. In addition to general science courses in biology and chemistry as well as in the behavioral science classes, Loyola's BSN curriculum includes courses such as Pathophysiology, Family Health Patterns and Nursing Ethics. Classroom study is complemented with clinical laboratory experiences. Additionally, BSN students have field study opportunities and complete clinical rotations at area hospitals.
Loyola University Chicago
1032 W. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60660
312-915-6000
luc.edu