Located an hour and a half away from Carterville, the Beck Area Career Center in Red Bud provides an 11-month technical education nursing course. Students will learn nursing fundamentals, pediatrics, anatomy, nutrition and microbiology, to name a few. It is divided into five sections, each nine weeks each, and is scheduled full time Monday through Friday for 35 to 40 hours per week. Classes are generally held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and clinical days are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will receive a diploma upon graduation.
Eastern Illinois University, about 2 1/2 hours away from Carterville, offers a nursing program that allows flexibility, is affordable and can be completed in two years. It was created for registered nurses who want to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. You have the choice to study full or part time as well as take online courses. To apply, you will need to have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and a complete an application to the nursing program that includes a current RN license, two letters of reference, statement, CPR certification, proof of a TB test and immunizations as well as a history of being in good, physical health. The courses required for the program, in addition to an Associate Degree in Nursing, are Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Introduction to Both Psychology and Sociology, Composition and Literature, Composition and Language, Lifespan Human Development and Chemistry. General education requirements are two courses in humanities and fine arts, one language course and three credits in the social and behavioral sciences. All students are also required to purchase liability insurance before taking Nursing 4106 and 4506.
Located about four hours away from Carterville, the Danville Area Community College offers a ladder nursing program in which you can become a licensed practical nurse after completing Level I and a registered nurse after completing Level II. After completing both levels, you will receive an Associate Degree in Nursing and will qualify to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse. If you complete only level I, you will qualify to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse. Some courses are Introduction to Psychology, Maternal Child Nursing, Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology I and II. The program is approved by the Illinois Articulation Initiative, and all credits and courses will be accepted for a BSN by many colleges. To apply, send in your application to the school. The school offers help for students such as with financial aid, scholarships and the FACTS Payment Plan, which is interest free.
Wabash Valley College, part of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges system, located two hours from Carterville in Mount Carmel, offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree. Application requirements are to have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, good health status, official transcripts, ASSET or COMPASS test scores and residency verification. Some courses in the program are Nursing I through IV, Human Anatomy I & II and General Psychology I. Once accepted, students are required to get a physical and immunizations, certification for CPR and nurse assistant, criminal check, recent photograph and drug screening. The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.