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Resource Center: The Complete Guide to Nursing in Illinois

female nurse smiles and holds a digital tablet while in a hospital hallway

Published: June 15, 2020

Are you interested in being a nurse in Illinois? Or perhaps you’re looking for nursing resources in Illinois? This page includes information about the job outlook for nurses in Illinois, professional nursing organizations, continuing education requirements and more.

female nurse smiles and holds a digital tablet while in a hospital hallway

Demand for Nurses in Illinois

The job outlook for nurses in Illinois is bright, according to the U.S. Department of Labor:

  • The agency projects that employment of registered nurses (RNs) in Illinois will grow 15% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations in Illinois.
  • That’s 8,690 annual projected job openings.
  • Nursing jobs in Illinois are growing at a faster rate than for the nation as a whole; from 2018 through 2028, employment of registered nurses in the U.S. is expected to grow 12%.

Illinois State Board
of Nursing

Website: https://www.idfpr.com/profs/nursing.asp
Online Contact Form: https://www.idfpr.com/profs/Email/prfGrp09.asp
Phone (scope of practice): 312-814-2715
Phone (professional licensing): 800-560-6420

Springfield Address: IDFPR/Nursing Unit, 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786

Chicago Address: IDFPR/Nursing Unit, 100 West Randolph, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601

Illinois Licensing Agency
for Nurses

Nurses in Illinois are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The IDFPR has two offices: one in Springfield and the other in Chicago.

Website: https://www.idfpr.com
Phone: 888-473-4858

Springfield Address: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786

Chicago Address: 100 West Randolph, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601

Nursing Organizations and Scholarships

Specialty Nursing Organizations in Illinois

Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists

The mission of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists (IANA) is to “Promote and support the profession of nurse anesthesia in Illinois through health policy advocacy, education and transformational leadership to advance patient safety and access to quality care.”

Website: https://www.ilcrna.com
Email: info@ilcrna.com
Phone: 217-528-6221
Address: 100 East Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62701

Illinois Association of School Nurses

The Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) supports school nurses in Illinois and promotes healthy school programs for children. The IASN is affiliated with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

Website: https://www.iasn.org
Email: iaschoolnurses@gmail.com
Phone: 779-529-0218
Address: PO Box 656, Manteno, Illinois 60950

Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders

The Illinois Organization for Nurse Leaders (IONL) is an affiliate of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL). The IONL advances nursing leadership in Illinois through professional development, networking, research and more.

Website: https://www.ionl.org
Email: info@ionl.org
Phone: 312-265-3927
Address: 225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60606

National Association of Hispanic Nurses - Illinois Chapter

The National Association of Hispanic Nurses - Illinois Chapter (NAHN-IL) enhances Hispanic nurses’ careers by providing mentorship, academic promotion and professional development. The NAHN-IL is the largest NAHN chapter in the country and committed to increasing the amount of bilingual and bicultural nurses in Illinois.

Website: https://www.nahnillinois.org
Email: nahn.illinois@gmail.com
Phone: 312-623-5967

Student Nurses Association of Illinois

The Student Nurses Association of Illinois (SNAI) is devoted to fostering the development of Illinois nursing students. It’s run by nursing students for nursing students.

Website: http://www.snaillinois.com
Email: syswart@ana-illinois.org
Phone: 815-468-8804
Address: PO Box 636, Manteno, Illinois 60950

Nursing Scholarships for Illinois Residents

Illinois Association of School Nurses Scholarship

The IASN’s Margaret I. Winters Memorial Scholarship is worth $1,500 and annually awarded to a licensed Illinois professional educator and endorsed school nurse pursuing a graduate degree related to school nursing.

Illinois Department of Public Health Scholarship

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) offers a Nursing Education Scholarship Program to increase the number of nurses in Illinois. Scholarships are available to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, associate degree in nursing, hospital-based diploma in nursing, graduate nursing degree or certificate in practical nursing.

Illinois Farm Bureau Nursing Scholarship

The Illinois Farm Bureau sponsors a Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program that awards $4,000 scholarships to RNs pursuing NP education. Scholarship recipients must serve two years in a rural Illinois community.

Illinois Health Care Association Scholarships

The IHCA offers multiple scholarships with its affiliate, the Long Term Care Nurses Association (LTCNA). The Joseph F. Warner Long Term Care Nurses Scholarship Fund is specifically for those pursuing long-term care nursing jobs in Illinois.

Illinois Nurses Foundation Scholarships

The Illinois Nurses Foundation (INF) offers various scholarships for Illinois residents. Scholarship winners are announced in June, and applications are accepted annually from January 1 to March 15.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Loan Repayment Program

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) offers a Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program to help nurse educators repay up to $5,000 of student loans. The program addresses the lack of nurse educators in Illinois and incentivizes educators to continue teaching.

National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Illinois Scholarships

The NAHN-IL offers scholarships to its Illinois nursing members pursuing an accredited nursing program. The number of scholarships varies depending on the amount in its scholarship fund.

How to Become a Nurse in Illinois

Here are five steps to become a nurse in Illinois:

  1. Complete an approved nursing program.
  2. Apply for an Illinois nursing license and register for the NCLEX examination.
  3. Study for and pass the NCLEX exam.
  4. Secure a job in Illinois as a nurse.
  5. Once you are a nurse in Illinois, you may choose to pursue a nursing specialty or advanced degree.

How to Apply for a Nursing License in Illinois

To apply for an Illinois nursing license through the Acceptance of Examination method, you must submit an online application via Continental Testing Services (CTS), an outside testing vendor used by the IDFPR. The following is required:

Once you’ve submitted your applications, fees and supporting documents, CTS will review your application and determine your eligibility for Illinois nursing licensure. Pearson VUE will send your Authorization to Test, which is valid for 90 days.

For additional information about Illinois nursing licenses, such as application by endorsement or international applicant requirements, visit the Illinois Board of Nursing website or the IDFPR’s Registered Nurse New Application Checklist.

Continuing Education Requirements

Illinois registered nurses and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. Beginning January 1, 2020, one of the required 20 hours must be a sexual harassment prevention training course. CE can be earned through a variety of classes and seminars, but it must be taken from an approved CE sponsor. Additionally, those renewing their license for the first time do not need to complete the required CE hours. Illinois nursing license renewal information can be found on the IDFPR Renewals page.

For more information about Illinous nursing continuing education requirements, including FAQ PDFs, visit the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center website.

Is Illinois a Member of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Illinois is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC allows members to have one multistate license that can be used in other NLC states. It removes the burden of paying multiple renewal fees and submitting multiple license applications per state.

How to Look up a Nursing License in Illinois

You can look up an Illinois nursing license using the state’s free license search tool. After selecting “Nursing Board” as the “License Type,” you can search licenses by first name, last name, city and more.

Top Health Care Employers in Illinois

If you’re looking for nursing jobs in Illinois, check out the health care employers below. This list was developed based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s profile of the state's largest employers.

Health Care Networks and Systems in Illinois

Hospitals and Medical Centers in Illinois

Other Health Care Employers in Illinois

Earn a Nursing Degree Online in Illinois

Are you an Illinois nurse who wants to advance your career? Purdue University Northwest (PNW) College of Nursing offers an online RN-to-BSN program and an online MSN program made to work with your busy schedule. If you’re ready to elevate your nursing career, request more information today.

View Notes and Conditions

Source for Job Growth Projections: U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop, Registered Nurses in Illinois.

NCLEX Exam: NCLEX is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.