10 Best 6-Month LPN to RN Programs Online in Illinois 2025
Several schools in Illinois offer accelerated LPN to RN bridge programs, allowing LPN students to become RNs much faster than through traditional RN programs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field of registered nursing is growing at a rate faster than the average. Various programs enable licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to prepare for licensure as registered nurses (RNs). A registered nursing career provides significantly higher earnings, as well as increased job security, compared to LPN positions.
LPNs interested in becoming RNs can benefit from 6-month LPN to RN programs online, as they tend to offer more flexibility and a shorter time to completion. Students interested in 6-month LPN to RN programs in Illinois can find accelerated program options at several schools.
Are There Any 6-Month LPN to RN Programs in Illinois?
<p>While there are no 6-month LPN to RN programs online, multiple schools across Illinois offer accelerated LPN to RN programs. These bridge programs enable LPNs to apply prior nursing coursework to their new RN programs, reducing the number of classes needed to complete their degree.
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<p>Once 6-month LPN to RN bridge programs, or other accelerated programs, have been completed, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) examination and apply for licensure.
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<p>While traditional RN programs take around two years to complete, LPNs can earn their RN degree in less than a year at several schools. Continue reading to explore the top 10 LPN to RN bridge programs offered by schools across Illinois.
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<h2 id="section---AcceleratedLPNToRNProgramsInIllinois">Accelerated LPN to RN Programs in Illinois</h2>
<p>Several schools across Illinois offer accelerated LPN to RN bridge programs. The lowest tuition rate shown for each school is for in-district students, and the highest rate shown is for other Illinois nursing students. Below, we'll discuss the top 10 accelerated LPN to RN programs in Illinois.
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<h3 id="section---1.RendLakeCollege">1. Rend Lake College</h3>
<p>Based in Ina, Rend Lake College (RLC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in nursing program with an LPN to RN bridge option. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits the program, which requires two semesters of full-time study.
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<p>LPN-entry nursing students can begin their program in the fall semester and finish their degree in the spring. Classes include healthcare concepts, introductory psychology, medications, and microbiology.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $110 to $175 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Two semesters (10 months to one year)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
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<h3 id="section---2.KaskaskiaCollege">2. Kaskaskia College</h3>
<p>Kaskaskia College offers an AAS in nursing program at its Centralia campus which includes an LPN to RN bridge option. Students can begin their program at four different points each academic year, giving them the flexibility to begin and complete it sooner.
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<p>Students complete 44 credit hours of coursework, including classes such as sociology, nursing care of adults and children, speech communication, and professional challenges. The program takes two semesters to complete and comprises in-person coursework and clinical experiences.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $140 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Two semesters (10 months to one year)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---3.LincolnLandCommunityCollege">3. Lincoln Land Community College</h3>
<p>Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) offers a hybrid LPN-entry Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at its Springfield campus. Students complete most coursework online while participating in clinical experiences and other requirements in person.
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<p>The program is accredited by the ACEN and approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Students can begin in the spring or fall semesters; they can complete the program in less than one year of full-time enrollment.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $140 to $420 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> 2.5 semesters (one year)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---4.JohnA.LoganCollege">4. John A. Logan College</h3>
<p>John A. Logan College (JALC) offers a full-time AAS in nursing program delivered through in-person coursework and field experiences, with sessions beginning every August. The ACEN-accredited program lasts for two semesters — fall and spring — and is open to students with an active LPN license.
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<p>JALC graduates have achieved 95% to 96% pass rates on the NCLEX-RN examination for the past six years. Nursing students develop a deeper understanding of concepts such as pathophysiology, communication skills, patient care, and physiology.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $145 to $210 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Two semesters (10 months)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---5.TritonCollege">5. Triton College</h3>
<p>Triton College, based in River Grove, IL, offers an LPN to RN bridge program option for an AAS in nursing. The on-campus program takes four semesters to complete, beginning in the spring semester through the following spring term.
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<p>Accredited by the ACEN, the nursing program qualifies nursing students to take the RN-NCLEX examination. Students complete coursework and clinical experiences relating to maternal care, pediatrics, mental health, and other areas of healthcare.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $153 to $387 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Four semesters (1.5 years)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---6.HeartlandCommunityCollege">6. Heartland Community College</h3>
<p>Heartland Community College (HCC) offers an in-person LPN to ADN program that students can complete in less than one year of full-time enrollment. Coursework is completed at the Normal campus over two or three semesters.
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<p>Clinical experiences are held at hospitals, long-term care centers, and other healthcare facilities in Normal, Lincoln, Springfield, and Peoria in Illinois. The program is accredited by the ACEN and includes coursework in leadership, acute care, contemporary nursing, and oral communication.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $169 to $338 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Two to three semesters (One year)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---7.JohnWoodCommunityCollege">7. John Wood Community College</h3>
<p>John Wood Community College (JWCC) has a one-year LPN to RN program that leads to an AAS in nursing. Program coursework includes concepts such as family health, community health, nursing leadership, and health and illness.
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<p>Courses integrate clinical experiences to reinforce and advance nursing skills and comprehension. JWCC offers various financial aid and occupational resources available for nursing students. The main campus of JWCC is in Quincy, IL, but students may be able to complete courses at one of five other locations.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $170 to $305 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Two semesters (one year)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---8.SpoonRiverCollege">8. Spoon River College</h3>
<p>Spoon River College (SRC) has an on-campus ADN program that is approved by the IDFPR and accredited by the ACEN. LPN students can enter the program with advanced standing and complete the required coursework in two semesters of full-time enrollment.
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<p>LPN to ADN students complete a transition requirement during the summer and can then finish their program in the spring semester. Nursing students take classes such as nursing through the life cycle, issues in nursing, and microbiology.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $175 to $391 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Two semesters (one year)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---9.SoutheasternIllinoisCollege">9. Southeastern Illinois College</h3>
<p>Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) offers a registered nursing ADN program that is open to LPNs and upcoming LPN graduates. The program takes two semesters to complete, with both fall and summer terms.
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<p>Accredited by the ACEN, the Harrisburg-based program emphasizes concepts such as patient-centered care, informatics, teamwork, and evidence-based practice. Students complete clinical experiences in partnering community healthcare settings, building on the practical and patient-centered learning objectives.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $110 per credit hour
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<p><b>Program length:</b> Two semesters (10 months)
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h3 id="section---10.RasmussenUniversityIllinois">10. Rasmussen University-Illinois</h3>
<p>Rasmussen University-Illinois has four campuses across the state, which each offer a hybrid ADN/RN program. While the program is already accelerated, nursing students with existing LPN licensure can complete the ADN degree in as few as 18 months of full-time enrollment.
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<p>Students can begin at four or eight points across each year (varies by campus) and complete a combination of online coursework, in-person class components, and hands-on clinical experiences.
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<p><b>Program cost:</b> $449 per credit
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<p><b>Program length:</b> 18 months
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<p><b>Accreditation:</b> HLC
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<h2 id="section---FAQsAboutTheFastestLPNToRNProgramsInIllinois">FAQs About the Fastest LPN to RN Programs in Illinois</h2>
<p>Before you choose a school, you should decide what aspects of an RN program are most important to you. Consider nursing school elements, such as admission requirements, enrollment expectations, and program length. The top FAQs about LPN to RN bridge programs are answered below.
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<h3 id="section---HowLongDoesItTakeToGoFromLPNToRNInIllinois">How Long Does It Take To Go From LPN to RN in Illinois?</h3>
<p>The time it takes to complete your program depends on the structure and options available. Using the schools discussed above as an example, an LPN to RN associate degree program takes between 10 to 18 months of full-time enrollment. LPN to BSN programs (bachelor's level) usually take three to four years.
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<h3 id="section---IsThereABridgeProgramFromLPNToRN">Is There a Bridge Program From LPN To RN?</h3>
<p>Yes, many schools with RN programs offer LPN to RN bridge tracks. Although they go by different names, these programs generally allow LPNs to receive credit for their prior nursing program and bypass some of the registered nursing program requirements. Licensed practical nurses are still required to complete various clinical training components.
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<h3 id="section---WhatAreTheAdmissionRequirementsForA6MonthLPNToRNProgram">What Are the Admission Requirements for a 6-Month LPN to RN Program?</h3>
<p>Each program has its own admissions requirements, but most require students to have valid LPN licensure and a certain GPA from the LPN coursework. In addition, nursing school students may need CPR certification and up-to-date immunizations, as well as certain prerequisite courses and pass an entrance exam.
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<h2 id="section---FindNursingDegreePrograms">Find Nursing Degree Programs</h2>
<p>You can explore more great programs through Learn.org's wide assortment of top programs lists. Contact the schools that you like to get started on the path to your degree.</p>