Concordia University, Chicago

Concordia University Chicago is a private, faith-based institution that provides a rigorous four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The program is structured into a pre-professional phase during the sophomore year and a competitive professional phase for juniors and seniors. Totaling 120 credit hours, the curriculum emphasizes a "nurse generalist" approach, integrating 18 credits of core nursing courses with extensive science prerequisites and liberal arts requirements. The university also offers a 100% online RN-to-BSN pathway for licensed professionals seeking to complete their degree in approximately 12 to 24 months.

A highlight of the program is the 4,500-square-foot state-of-the-art Nursing Simulation Center. This facility features multispecialty intensive care spaces and a simulated home environment, allowing students to practice high-impact patient scenarios using lifelike manikins. Following laboratory preparation, students move into clinical rotations at various Chicago-area healthcare facilities. These rotations cover specialties such as pediatrics, psychiatric wellness, and community health, ensuring students gain diverse bedside experience before graduation.

Graduates are fully prepared for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, with the program boasting a high first-time pass rate. Recognized for its boutique-sized cohorts and personalized faculty mentorship, CUC stands out in the Illinois region for its emphasis on "vocation"—viewing nursing as a calling to serve the inherent worth of all people. Compared to larger public programs nearby, Concordia Chicago offers a more intimate, ethically focused environment with a direct emphasis on spiritual and emotional patient care.