Chicago State University Nursing School Review

Chicago State University (CSU), located on the south side of Chicago, started as a teacher training college in 1867. Since that time, it has developed into a full university, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business, arts and sciences, health sciences, education, and pharmacy. It also serves residents of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs with continuing education programs.

Among its many programs are two in the field of nursing: a bachelor’s degree program and a master’s degree program. Here is a review of the available programs, which are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Chicago State University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program takes four years to complete, which includes summer semesters. A BSN student spends the first fall, spring, and summer semesters taking general education courses, transitioning into the first nursing courses in the fall of her second year. Throughout the next three years, she continues to take general education courses along with nursing courses and clinical rotations. She will earn 120 credits over the course of the program. By graduation, she is prepared to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN-BSN

An RN who holds an associate degree or diploma may complete a full BSN degree through Chicago State University’s RN-BSN accelerated track. Chicago State University awards the RN thirty credit hours of nursing classes, on the basis of his education and nursing experience. In addition to these, he must earn a total of ninety credit hours, which includes general education courses and junior-and senior-level nursing courses. He may transfer in credits toward the general education courses, or complete them simultaneously with the nursing courses. If he does not need to take any general education courses at Chicago State University, the RN-BSN program will take four semesters to complete. If he does need to take general education courses, the length of the program will depend on the number of credits he needs to complete.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN-BSN

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who wishes to earn a full BSN degree can transition into the BSN program at Chicago State University through the LPN-BSN bridge program. She can transfer in fifteen credits toward the lower-level nursing courses on the basis of her education and work experience. She must complete the remainder of the BSN program, including general education courses and nursing courses, along the students in the traditional track.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – CNA-BSN

A Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) does not have to take the first, transition nursing course, which traditional BSN students usually complete in the fall of the second year. Apart from the three credits awarded for this class, a CNA follows the basic BSN curriculum.

Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Chicago State University is geared especially toward educating African-American nurses to serve as healthcare leaders and educators for minority populations. With this focus in mind, regardless of the area of specialization, all MSN students take upper-level classes that address health issues and services for minority populations. The MSN program consists of forty-five credits total: twenty-one credits toward the core nursing classes and the remainder toward an area of specialization. Possible areas of specialization include nursing education, nursing administration, and community health nursing. MSN students typically complete the program over the course of two years, including summer semesters.

Contact:
Chicago State University
9501 South King Drive
Chicago, IL 60628

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