As one of the most popular and successful online universities, the University of Phoenix, which was established in 1976, offers associate's degrees in health-care administration as well as undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. The associate's and some undergraduate programs give students the opportunity to become certified nurse aides (after sitting for the required NCLEX exam), but there are also classes available for nursing aides to further their degree and become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). The course is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Located 25 miles north of Chicago, Harper College offers a certified nurse assistant program that can be completed in one semester. Half of the classes can be taken online, while the clinical portion must be completed on-site. Having completed the program and passed the required state competency exam, the student can work as a certified nursing aide in Illinois. Students are also prepared to take the NCLEX exam in another state.
Kaplan University offers various nursing programs, from basic training to high-level academic training. In addition to the regular courses offered, Kaplan also has test prep classes that specifically train the student for NCLEX exams. Classes can be taken on-site or through online classes, which have live classrooms with professors who can answer questions immediately through video conferencing, providing a more traditional classroom setting while students are in the comfort of home.