Best Community Colleges in Chicago for Nursing?

How can I find the best community colleges in Chicago for a degree in nursing? I'm hoping to attend a school with a strong program and good career opportunities after graduation.

Certainly, Chicago is home to numerous community colleges that offer robust nursing programs. When evaluating these programs, you might want to consider factors like NCLEX pass rates, clinical experiences, class sizes, faculty qualifications, and job placement rates.

Here are three that you might want to look into:

1. City Colleges of Chicago: Malcolm X College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program that prepares students to become Registered Nurses (RNs). The program highlights a high NCLEX pass rate and a curriculum that combines classroom learning with lab simulation experiences and clinical rotations.

2. College of DuPage: Located in the suburbs of Chicago, this college provides an ADN program where students gain clinical experience at various healthcare institutions throughout the Chicagoland area. This program boasts small class sizes and innovative teaching methods.

3. Oakton Community College: Offering an ADN as well, Oakton Community College delivers a rigorous training program that intertwines theoretical knowledge with practical nursing skills. The clinical experiences of Oakton's program take place in various community health agencies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

Before you make your decision, it might be worth visiting these campuses, meeting some faculty or administrators if possible, and talking with current students in the nursing programs. This will allow you to have a personal experience and can help in shaping your decision.

Remember to also consider financial aid offerings, as well as any articulation agreements that these community colleges might have with four-year institutions, which can simplify the transfer process if you decide to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing at a later date.

Good luck with your search!