Top vocational, career, and community colleges for nursing in Illinois

Vocational schools and community colleges focus on equipping students with relevant and implementable skills to prepare them for the demands of the workforce. They provide quick, accessible, and affordable programs for nursing. There are over 20 such vocational, career, and community colleges in Illinois, including Danville Area Community College, Illinois Eastern Community College, Midwestern Career College, Chicago ORT Technical Institute, and several other well-known schools.

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs only take several weeks to complete and are generally offered at both community colleges and vocational schools. Licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs are more demanding and time-consuming, taking 12 to 18 months to complete; they are also offered at community colleges and vocational schools. Registered nursing (RN) programs require the lengthiest education. While many aspiring RNs will pursue bachelor’s degree programs at traditional four-year colleges and universities, two-year associate’s degree programs are offered at many community colleges and vocational schools.

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According to the National League for Nursing, it is becoming a trend for students to start training later, meaning that aspiring nurses are often employed in full-time careers and raising families while attending school. Vocational, career, and community colleges are especially appealing options for students who face time and financial constraints, since they tend to be local, affordable, accessible, and flexible in their scheduling.

Given the high demand for nurses today, quick and flexible education options can become the gateway to some incredible career opportunities. In Illinois, there are frequent job postings for nurses at all levels by the state’s large healthcare employers, including Alexia Brothers Health System, Northwest Community Hospital, and Sinai Health Systems.

For more information about a faster and more flexible path into nursing, take a look at the below list of vocational, career, and community colleges in Illinois.