As in any other state, nurses in Illinois are responsible for assisting doctors and catering to sick and injured people. Day-to-day tasks vary according to the work environment and the needs of the general population. Depending on the specific field, a nurse can be responsible for anything from administering medicine to laboratory work to teaching people about diet and exercise. Online nursing schools in Illinois can give students the necessary skills to be employed in a variety of health care environments.

What to expect with Illinois nursing schools online

The typical path to becoming a registered nurse includes two years of college to attain an associate degree or four years to finish a bachelor's degree in nursing. All states, including Illinois, require a student to pass a licensing test, known as the National Council Licensure Examination, in order to attain a nursing license.

Certifications are available in various nursing fields. For example, the University of Illinois at Chicago has an online School Nurse Certificate program, as well as an online Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program for RNs.

Opportunities for nurses in Illinois

After graduation from one of the online nursing schools in Illinois, students can seek opportunities both in big cities like Chicago and in more rural areas. Some of the largest hospitals in Illinois include Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and Elgin Mental Health Center in Elgin. In 2011, U.S. News & World Report ranked these hospitals among the top facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area:

1. Northwestern Memorial Hospital
2. University of Chicago Medical Center
3. Rush Medical Center in Chicago

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that RNs in the state earned a mean annual salary of $66,660 as of May 2010, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses had a mean yearly wage of $41,080. Illinois nursing schools online may provide a path to a rewarding career in health care.