Healthcare Careers You Can Start Fast in Illinois
State Career College in Gurnee trains students for in-demand entry-level healthcare roles — from 8-week Basic Nursing Assistant (CNA Training) to hybrid LPN and fully online medical office pathways. Compare length, cost, and outcomes below.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
8 Weeks · On campus · $1,800
CNAs provide basic bedside care under nursing supervision. Typical employers include skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies in Lake County and the north Chicago suburbs. Many graduates use CNA as a fast entry point into healthcare before advancing to LPN or other clinical roles, including SCC’s Practical Nursing pathway.
Basic Nursing Assistant (CNA Training) programLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
69 Weeks · Hybrid · $27,397
LPNs perform broader clinical nursing tasks than CNAs, including medication administration within scope of practice after licensure. Employers include long-term care facilities, clinics, hospitals, and home health agencies. Confirm current Illinois LPN wage ranges with BLS or IDES sources before citing in marketing.
Practical Nursing programMedical Assistant
45 Weeks · Hybrid · $16,797
Employment opportunities and wages vary by employer, location, experience, certification status, and economic conditions. Prospective students are encouraged to review current occupational information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Medical Assistant programMedical Administrative Assistant / Medical Office Specialist
39 Weeks · 100% Online · $18,740
Some medical administrative positions may offer remote or hybrid work arrangements, depending on the employer, job duties, experience, and position requirements. SCC does not guarantee remote employment. Graduates pursue medical office, scheduling, patient communication, Electronic Health Records (EHR), and billing-support roles. The CMAA exam is a common credential target after completion.
Medical Administrative Assistant programPhlebotomist / Phlebotomy Technician
12 Weeks · On campus · $2,800
Employment opportunities and wages vary by employer, location, experience, certification status, and local labor-market conditions. Prospective students are encouraged to review current occupational information from reliable government sources.
Phlebotomy Technician program
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a CNA and an LPN?
A CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) provides basic bedside care and can train in about 8 weeks; an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) performs broader clinical nursing tasks, requires ~69 weeks of training, and must pass the NCLEX-PN. Nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses have different education, credentialing, scopes of practice, and job responsibilities. Employment opportunities and wages vary based on the employer, location, experience, shift, and work setting.
Should I become a medical assistant or a phlebotomist?
Choose phlebotomy for the fastest, lowest-cost path (12 weeks, ~$2,800) focused on blood collection. Choose medical assisting for broader clinical and administrative skills (45 weeks) and stronger job growth (12% nationally, 2024–2034 BLS). Both are entry-level healthcare roles with externships at SCC.
What is the fastest healthcare certification I can earn in Illinois?
At State Career College, the Basic Nursing Assistant (CNA Training) program is the fastest at 8 weeks, followed by Phlebotomy Technician at 12 weeks. Both are on-campus, affordable, and lead to eligibility for state or national certification exams.