Best LPN Programs in Illinois

If you’re interested in entering the healthcare field as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you’d be hard pressed to find a better state than Illinois to obtain your education in. The state boasts many schools with accredited LPN programs, giving potential students a variety of options to choose from. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), practical nursing is slated to grow by 12% through the year 2026. Illinois LPNs earn around an hourly wage of $22.69 or annual salary of $47,190, which is roughly $3,160 more per year than national average.

Details on Illinois LPN Schools & Classes

LPN programs can be found at several types of schools in Illinois, including community colleges, vocational schools, and more. Students can usually opt for full-time or part-time attendance, which will dictate the duration of the program. Most programs can be completed in 1-2 years from start to finish, allowing students to enter the LPN workforce relatively quickly. LPN programs in Illinois consist of a mix of medical nursing courses and labs, which may include titles such as:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Adult/Geriatric Nursing
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Pharmacology

Accreditation

With all the LPN program choices in the state, it’s important for prospective students to ensure that they are choosing a quality school. Accreditations show that the school and program are properly vetted. Accreditations from national organizations like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing are good to look for, as are ones from regional accrediting agencies. The Illinois Board of Nursing also maintains a list of approved LPN programs for students to peruse.

Admission Requirements

Once you’ve narrowed down a school, you’ll need to make sure that you meet all admissions requirements. While requirements will vary by school, most request the following:

• High school diploma or GED from a state approved school
• High school GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Two letters or recommendation
• Current CPR certification
• Valid CNA certification may be required
• Must pass a background check and drug test

Tuition and Costs

Tuition, fees, and other expenses can run the gamut, depending on the school. Aside from those expenses, students must also factor in the cost of course materials, lab fees, uniforms, and room and board if applicable. As an example, the total cost of the LPN program at the Adonis College of Nursing in Dolton is approximately $20,150. Many schools also offer financial aid and other financing options to well-qualified applicants.

Illinois LPN Licensing Requirements

Attending an approved nursing program is the main requirement to become an LPN in Illinois. But, once the program is complete, the applicant must also complete the following for licensing:

• Written application for licensure.
• Certificate of completion from approved nursing program.
• Pass licensing exam (NCLEX).
• Pass a criminal background check.

The graduate has 3 years after finishing the nursing program to acquire licensure—if not done in this time, another educational program will be required. Illinois LPN licenses must be renewed every 2 years, and the license holder is responsible for 20 hours of continued education each renewal period—every 2 years.

NCLEX Exam Information

The process of becoming an LPN doesn’t end after graduating from a program. Students are required to take and pass the NCLEX-PN exam in order to officially gain licensure. You can learn more about the NCLEX-PN exam here. Taking an NCLEX-PN practice test is also a good idea to fully prepare for the exam.

LPN Reciprocity and eNLC

Illinois is not a state that currently follows the Nursing Licensure Compact, so this state is not affected by the new Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC). If seeking a license by endorsement in the state of Illinois, the applicant must:

• Hold a valid license in another state.
• Submit a written application to the Board.
• Have completed a board-approved nursing education equivalent to the state of Illinois’s.
• Submit of a criminal background check.

Nurses licensed in a country other than the US must verify educational equivalence based on the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation, as well as pass the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. For detailed information about LPN endorsement by application and examination in Illinois check out: https://www.idfpr.com/Renewals/Apply/Forms/LPN-END.pdf

LPN Salary in Illinois By Area

The table below lists career information retrieved from the BLS for licensed practical nurses in Illinois. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Illinois LPN to RN/BSN programs page.