Becoming An RN Wheeling IL

How to Select an Accredited Nursing School near Wheeling Illinois

Wheeling IL RN with Doctor and PatientSearching for the best nursing college near Wheeling IL may seem like a formidable project, particularly if you don’t know what to look for in a good degree program. As you may presently understand, in order to practice as a registered nurse, you need to obtain the proper education and training in order to become licensed. So it is critically important that you research and measure the qualifications of each program you are considering before enrolling in your ultimate selection. The fact is, too many potential students base their selection entirely on the price of tuition and the proximity of the school. Choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your residence is probably not the best way to decide on a nursing program. There are a number of essential additional factors to check out before you make a decision where to attend classes. But before we explore that checklist, let’s first go over the nursing degree choices that are available together with what the roles of nurses are in our medical care system.

Request Free Information on Nursing Schools Below

Nursing Degrees Available

There are several degree options to choose from to become a nurse. And in order to become a Registered Nurse (RN), a student must enroll in an accredited school and program. A nursing student can earn a qualifying degree in just two years, or continue on to attain a graduate degree for a total of six years. Following are some short explanations of the nursing degrees that are offered to aspiring students in the Wheeling IL area.

  • Associates Degree. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is typically a two year program offered by community colleges. It preps graduates for an entry level position in nursing in medical centers including hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. Many utilize the ADN as an entry into nursing and afterwards obtain a higher degree.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offers more comprehensive training than the ADN. It is usually a four year program offered at colleges and universities. Licensed RNs may be allowed to complete an accelerated program based on their prior training or degree and professional experience (RN to BSN). Those applying to the program may wish to advance to a clinical or administrative position, or be more competitive in the job market.
  • Master’s Degree. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is generally a two year program after obtaining the BSN. The MSN program provides specialization training, for instance to become a nurse practitioner or focus on administration, management or teaching.

Once a graduating student has obtained one of the above degrees, he or she must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed. Various other requirements for licensing vary from state to state, so be sure to get in touch with the Illinois board of nursing for any state requirements.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Nursing Schools Near You!

Why Enter the Nursing Profession?

geriatric nurse with Wheeling IL nursing home patientNurses are an important component of a Wheeling IL medical team, and for a large number of patients, their primary care providers. A nursing career can lead to many opportunities, such as research, health care education and specialty areas of practice. Nurses enter the profession for various reasons, among the most significant are its practical and personal advantages. Nurses provide personal, one-on-one care to patients. Most individuals in a medical facility or home care environment have more contact with nurses than with doctors. Nurses often choose the profession due to a passion to administer to the needs of patients, including in cases of short-term treatment of illness and extended care of chronic ailments. This human side of the healthcare profession, rather than the research or analytical related facets, is appealing to many who elect to enter into a nursing career. Nurses have extensive applicable skills and can choose from a variety of work settings, including nursing homes, physician’s offices, health clinics, community centers and hospitals. Also, nurses can advance into a number of specialties, including addictions, critical care, neonatology and genetics. While many nurses deliver direct patient care, others opt to be educators, policy consultants or pharmaceutical representatives.

Registered Nurse Job Responsibilities

Wheeling IL nurse greeting patientRegistered nurses are the most extensive occupation in the medical delivery system. RNs practice in a large number of different medical settings, such as Wheeling IL hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes and even schools. Their basic job is to help doctors in the treatment of their patients. Having said that, the specific duties of a registered nurse will be dependent on their job or area of expertise in addition to where they work. A few of the responsibilities of an RN may include:

  • Administering medications
  • Monitoring patients
  • Performing physical examinations
  • Managing care
  • Managing LPNs, LVNs and nurse aides
  • Educating patients and their families
  • Maintaining health records and charts

Nurses with a more advanced degree may have more advanced job duties and accountabilities. Nurse practitioners (NP), for instance, must hold a Master’s Degree and often work more independently than their RN counterparts. They can provide primary or specialty care services, prescribe medications, and diagnose and treat common illnesses or injuries.

Online Nursing Schools

Wheeling IL student attending nursing classes onlineEnrolling in nursing schools online is growing into a more favored way to obtain training and earn a nursing degree. Many schools will require attendance on campus for a component of the training, and nearly all programs call for a specified number of clinical rotation hours carried out in a local healthcare center. But since the rest of the training may be accessed online, this method may be a more convenient approach to finding the time to attend college for some Wheeling IL students. Concerning tuition, a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus alternatives. Even supplemental expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be reduced, helping to make education more easily affordable. And a large number of online programs are accredited by organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for BSN and MSN degrees. And so if your job and family responsibilities have left you with little time to pursue your academic goals, it could be that an online nursing program will make it easier to fit a degree into your hectic schedule.

What to Ask Nursing Schools

What to ask Wheeling IL nursing schoolsNow that you have chosen which nursing program to enroll in, and whether to attend your classes on campus near Wheeling IL or online, you can utilize the following guidelines to start narrowing down your options. As you probably realize, there are a large number of nursing schools and colleges within Illinois and the United States. So it is important to lower the number of schools to select from in order that you will have a manageable list. As we earlier discussed, the location of the school and the expense of tuition are most likely going to be the first two factors that you will consider. But as we also stressed, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So before making your ultimate decision, use the following questions to see how your pick compares to the field.

  • Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the degree or certificate program along with the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not available in Wheeling IL for non-accredited schools.
  • Licensing Preparation. Licensing requirements for registered nurses vary from state to state. In all states, a passing score is required on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) as well as graduation from an accredited school. Many states require a specific number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are attending not only delivers a top-notch education, but also preps you to satisfy the minimum licensing standards for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing.
  • Reputation. Visit online rating companies to see what the evaluations are for all of the schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews too. In addition, get in touch with the Illinois school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some Wheeling IL healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their assessments are of the schools as well.
  • Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the RN colleges you are considering what their graduation rates are as well as how long on average it takes students to complete their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It’s also essential that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only verify that the school has a good reputation within the Wheeling IL medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to assist students attain a position.
  • Internship Programs. The most effective way to acquire experience as a registered nurse is to work in a clinical setting. Virtually all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour requirements for licensing also. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Wheeling IL hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placement of students in internships.

Nursing Schools Wheeling IL

Becoming An RN Wheeling Illinois

Choosing the right nursing college is perhaps the most important step to launching a new career in the medical care industry. There are various variables that you should take into account when selecting a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career objectives, lifestyle, and financial status. As we have pointed out within this content, it is essential that you select a nursing school and a degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the healthcare community. You originally came to this website due to your interest in Becoming An RN and wanting more information on the topic Great Colleges For Nursing.. However, by using our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to create a short list of schools to pick from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the proper degree and training, combined with your hard work and drive to succeed, you can become a practicing nurse in Wheeling IL.

More Illinois Nursing Locations

  • Weekend Nursing Training Programs Lincoln IL
  • How to Enroll in RN Degrees Online Ringwood IL
  • Evening Nursing Courses Marengo IL
  • Fast Track RN Degrees Online Toluca IL
  • Top RN Courses Bradley IL
  • Guide to Nursing Training Programs Near Me Davis IL
  • Registered Nurse Requirements Wenona IL
  • Fast Track Nursing Training Programs Online Tinley Park IL
  • Evening RN Schools Mattoon IL
  • Best Nursing Training Near Me Cambridge IL
  •  

     

     

    Wheeling, Illinois

    Wheeling is a village in Cook and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, it is primarily in Cook County, approximately 23 mi (37 km) northwest of downtown Chicago. The population was 37,648 at the 2010 census.[5] Wheeling is named for Wheeling, West Virginia.[6]

    According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 8.74 square miles (22.6 km2), of which 8.74 square miles (22.6 km2) (or 97.26%) is land and 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2) (or 2.74%) is water.[7]

    The climate in Wheeling can be classified as temperate. Winters are usually very cold and snowy. Summers are often hot and humid, but can be pleasantly warm as well. Precipitation is uniformly distributed throughout the year.

     

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 118

    Addolorata Villa
    3 Reviews
    Assisted Living Facilities
    Phone:
    555 McHenry Rd, Wheeling, IL 60090

    North Shore Place
    1 Reviews
    Assisted Living Facilities
    Phone:
    1000 Sunset Ridge Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062

    Brookdale Prospect Heights
    2 Reviews
    Retirement Homes, Memory Care, Assisted Living Facilities
    Phone:
    700 E Euclid Ave, Prospect Heights, IL 60070

    Avantara Long Grove
    8 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Center
    Phone:
    1666 Checker Rd, Long Grove, IL 60047

    Whitehall of Deerfield
    33 Reviews
    Physical Therapy, Retirement Homes, Occupational Therapy
    Phone:
    300 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015

    Symphony Of Buffalo Grove
    8 Reviews
    Rehabilitation Center, Skilled Nursing, Pain Management
    Phone:
    150 Weiland Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

    Radford Green
    9 Reviews
    Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation Center, Assisted Living Facilities
    Phone:
    960 Audubon Way, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

    Presence Resurrection Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
    4 Reviews
    Physical Therapy
    Phone:
    1001 N Greenwood Ave, Park Ridge, IL 60068

    Transitional Care of Arlington Heights
    26 Reviews
    Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Skilled Nursing
    Phone:
    1200 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

    ManorCare Health Services-Northbrook
    10 Reviews
    Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living Facilities
    Phone:
    3300 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062