RN to MSN Programs in Illinois

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Find Online Master of Nursing Programs in Illinois

Registered nurses in Illinois seeking an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree may select from numerous accredited programs based in the state.

Governor's State University and St. John's College offer online MSN degrees accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Most of the online programs in the state are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Both ACEN and CCNE accreditations ensure that the program has been certified as offering an effective and high quality education that reflects current professional standards.

Example MSN Programs in Illinois

Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University, based in Downer's Grove, has an Online RN to BSN to MSN program. The degree may be completed in eight semesters, and students may select to complete the program even faster by selecting an accelerated course schedule. Students who choose the accelerated program do not earn a BSN, but may elect to prepare for the Clinical Nurse Leader certification by adding an additional semester of full-time coursework. Students who opt not to pursue an accelerated MSN may choose from six specialty tracks, including Educator, Executive, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Policy, Informatics, and Population Health.

Nurses who already have a BSN may select to complete the Online Master of Science in Nursing program, which includes the same specialty tracks as the RN-BSN to RN-MSN program. The MSN program may be completed in two years and, with the exception of a required immersion weekend for some tracks and practicum requirements, is available entirely online.

Loyola University

Loyola University, Chicago offers an MSN in Nursing and Healthcare Administration that is completed online with annual immersion sessions. The required immersion weekends are "designed to begin the socialization into the leadership community by establishing contacts with fellow students and guest speakers. The educational sessions will feature expert speakers who will discuss hot topics facing the nursing and healthcare administration leaders."

They also offer an Online MSN in Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety APN. This program prepares nurses to meet the challenges of health care and community-associated infections, emerging diseases, environmental hazards, and bioterrorism. Coursework is completely online, but Chicago-based students may take selected courses on campus if they choose. A clinical practicum is required.

The Online MSN in Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist with Oncology Specialty degree teaches students about the advanced practice care of patients across the cancer care continuum (genetic screening, primary prevention, acute care, and palliative care). The Adult-Gerontology CNS with Oncology Specialty program is offered in an online format. Clinical placements can be arranged near where students live or work.

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Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global, based in Chicago, offers an Online Master of Science in Nursing with ExcelTrack that allows students to finish their degree faster than other online platforms. With ExcelTrack, students may take as many courses as they like during the ten-week term for one fixed tuition price. Each course is a single credit covering a specific topic. Students who select this track may specialize in the Nurse Educator or Executive Leader pathway.

The University also offers a traditional online Master of Science in Nursing degree program, with specializations in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Executive Leader, and Nurse Educator.

St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing

St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, based in Peoria, offers programs that include online components, but most MSN programs require at least some on-campus experiences. The Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree requires students to be on-campus for two four-day practicums and the final proficiency exam. Classes are available online, however, and clinicals may be completed in the student's local area. The Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care degree requires students to be on-campus for one practicum each semester.

All other programs are available entirely online, including the Accelerated Pathway to MSN for RNs with a Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degree; the Master of Science in Nursing, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner degree; the Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Educator degree; the Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Management Leadership degree; and the Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree.

St. John's College

St. John's College, based in Springfield, offers an Online Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Administration & Leadership degree. The master's program consists of five core courses of online learning with student requested face-to-face meetings. Full-time plan of study is 6 semesters completed in 2 years. Part-time plan of study is 8 semesters completed in 3 years.

They also offer a Family Nurse Practitioner MSN degree. The FNP Program is a hybrid program with a combination of online and in seat learning. The master's program of student consists of five core courses of online learning with student requested face-to-face meetings. The course scheduling is flexible, using blended methods, in-person courses meet on Fridays after completion of the pre-clinical (online) courses. The curriculum includes 45 credit hours, including 660 clinical hours and 60 simulation hours under the guidance of expert faculty members and preceptors. Preceptors and clinical sites are arranged by St. John's College for the students. Full-time plan of study is 6 semesters completed in 2 years. Part-time plan of study is 8 semesters completed in 3 years.

All Accredited Schools with MSN Degrees in Illinois

Typical Curriculum for a Master’s in Nursing Degree

Typical curriculum for MSN programs vary based on the specialization and track selected. Many programs prepare students for certification as a Nurse Practitioner. Nurse Practitioner programs should provide theoretical and evidence-based clinical knowledge that prepare students for national certification in their anticipated area of population-focused practice. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) competencies reflect practices across all specialties, populations, and settings. According to the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, these competencies may be broadly categorized to include direct patient care, health promotion, interdisciplinary collaboration and consultation, system leadership, optimization of clinical outcomes, and health education.

Some programs prepare students to be Nurse Educators. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nurse educators must have a solid clinical background, strong communication skills, and a high level of cultural competence. Typical courses include curriculum development, theoretical foundations and instructional strategies, experiential learning, and strategies for assessment and evaluation. Graduates of Nursing Education MSN programs are prepared to be faculty or clinical instructors in schools of nursing or employment in staff development positions in health care institutions. Most of these programs can be completed in two years.

Another common path is to seek an MSN that prepares students for administrative or clinical leadership roles. Programs focused on administrative leadership may include courses in the management of financial resources, health care information systems, creating a professional working environment, and role development for nursing management. These programs may prepare students for certification as a Certified Nurse Manager and Leader by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.

Clinical leadership programs may include courses in health care ethics, health policy and theory, and research principles, in addition to advanced coursework in pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, and disease management. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which helped develop the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) credential, CNLs are trained to be point-of-care leaders who focus on care coordination, outcomes management, transitions of care, interprofessional communication, risk assessment, and quality improvement, among other things.

Licensure in Illinois

Nurses who graduate from MSN programs that prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists are licensed as Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Department has set specific licensure requirements for each APN role, and additional requirements for full practice authority and controlled substances prescribing.

Nurse educators and nurse leaders may be licensed as either an APRN or RN, depending on their individual training and educational background. RNs may be licensed either by examination or endorsement.

MSN and FNP Salaries in Illinois

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in May 2018 that the average salary for a Nurse Practitioner in Illinois was $105,800. This is significantly higher than the average RN salary of $73,890. Overall, national employment of nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses is expected to increase 26% between 2018 and 2028 due to an increased demand for healthcare services.