RNs must meet certain requirements in Illinois.
RNs, or registered nurses, must meet certain requirements in order to become licensed and legally practice nursing in the state of Illinois. Nurses bear the responsibility for making sure they meet the requirements and that they maintain their licenses and any required certifications, depending on the type of nursing they practice.
Degree in Nursing
RNs in Illinois must have a degree in nursing. They can have an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor's degree in the science of nursing (BSN). Some nurses go on to earn graduate degrees, and they may become advanced practice nurses, like certified nurse midwives, certified nurse anesthetists or clinical nurse specialists.
NCLEX-RN Exam
To become a registered nurse, the prospective candidate must take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam offered by the State of Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. New graduates may practice for up to three months before becoming licensed, but after that nurses cannot legally practice in Illinois without a license.
Criminal History Records Check
Registered nurses in Illinois must submit to a criminal history records check. Nurses that have been convicted of certain crimes may be unable to obtain a nursing license and become registered nurses in Illinois. Nurses with a criminal history are not necessarily excluded from the nursing profession in Illinois, however; the Division of Professional Regulation considers the nature of the crime, including whether it was a violent crime and whether it was related to nursing, and whether or not the nurse has been sufficiently rehabilitated.
Continuing Education
Registered nurses in Illinois must attend at least 20 hours of continuing education during every two-year licensing cycle. Continuing education must be provided by an approved provider in order to count towards the required 20 hours.
Advanced Practice Nurses
Advanced practice nurses may have additional requirements to meet, depending on what type of nursing they practice. For instance, nurse midwives must become certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board in order to legally practice as nurse midwives. Nurse anesthetists must become certified by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists in order to legally practice as nurse anesthetists.
License Renewal
Registered nurses in Illinois must renew their licenses every two years. Failure to renew a license means a nurse cannot legally practice nursing in the state of Illinois.
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