RN to MSN Programs in Illinois
A recent survey conducted by the Illinois Nursing Workforce found that there were significantly fewer nurses working in Illinois with master's degrees than was previously thought, 8.5%. There has been a shortage of nursing faculty mostly due to the fact that faculty at nursing schools mst have a master's or doctorate degree and the salaries are not as high as those of other master's level career paths such as advanced practice nursing.
RN to MSN programs had been few and far between until now. There are a few nursing schools based in Illinois offering RN to MSN and some highly respected online RN to MSN programs providing master's level nursing education with a variety of concentrations from advanced practice tracks to nursing educator tracks. With the increased availability of master's level education to registered nurses with diploma or associate's nursing education backgrounds, there is hope that the state will see a greater number of master's educated nurses entering the workforce, specifically in the nursing faculty area.
RN to MSN programs take roughly three years to complete, sometimes less with transferring of prior nursing education credits. Students are prepared for advanced practice roles as well as educator roles, nurse executive roles, health policy consultant roles and many other career opportunities through a combination of didactic courses and clinical experience. The online programs below have no residency requirements and offer identical content to the programs offered on-campus. Clinical sites for advanced practice tracks are often arranged in the student's local geography for greater convenience. You migh also like to learn about the RN to BSN programs in Illinois.
Adding more incentive to pursue a master's degree is the high percentage of job satisfaction that master's educated nurses reported in the afore mentioned Illinois Nursing Workforce survey report as well as the percentage of respondents expressing high satisfaction with the annual wages they earn. According to the 2007 Illinois Nursing Workforce Survey Report, the most common annual salary for advanced practice nurses was between $65,000 and $85,000. The Advance for Nurses 2007 Salary Survey found that the average annual salary for a nurse with an MSN was $67,750.
Online RN to MSN Programs Offered in Illinois
Walden University School of Nursing
Graduates of Walden University's M.S. degree program in Nursing have the knowledge and skills to be leaders in their profession. They will be capable of contributing to positive social change in their own communities and throughout the world. Request free information from Walden University to learn more. The Walden University RN - M.S. programs are Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited.
Programs Offered: RN - M.S. (Concentrations: Leadership and Management, Informatics, and Education)
Gonzaga University
The Gonzaga Nursing Department is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools (NWCCS). The RN to MSN online programs are designed for licensed, experienced Registered Nurses with an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). The Gonzaga University Nurse Practitioner program graduates average 95% pass rate on the national nurse practitioner certification exams.
Programs Offered Online: RN to MSN Online - (Four Specializations: Nurse Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Systems Leadership, and Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), MSN - (Specializations: Nurse Educator, Health Systems Leadership)
- Click Here and select RN to MSN Online to request information about Gonzaga University's RN to MSN programs.
Capella University
Capella University offers a Master's in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Educator Bridge program for registered nurses that have a bachelor's degree in another area and a current RN license. This program is ideal for those that are interested in becoming nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders.
Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Nurse Educator Bridge Program
- Click Here to request information from Capella University's MSN Bridge Program.
South University - School of Health Professions
The South University MSN program is CCNE accredited and graduates are prepared for a career and national certification as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner. South University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. These programs are enrolling now. Contact South University to learn more about their programs and to speak with an admissions representative.
Programs Offered: Online RN to BSN, Online RN to MSN - (Tracks: Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator), MSN - (Tracks: Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator)
- Click Here to request free information from South University.
Graceland University - School of Nursing
The RN-BSN and RN to BSN/MSN programs are CCNE and NLNAC accredited. The RN to BSN and RN to BSN/MSN programs are designed for Registered Nurses who want to advance their education and career opportunities. RN to BSN and RN to BSN/MSN program Practicums can be completed in the student's community.
Online Programs Offered: RN to BSN, RN to BSN/MSN - (Specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator)
- Click Here to request information from Graceland University School of Nursing.
Rush University - College of Nursing - Illinois
Rush University - College of Nursing is one of the country's most well known and well respected institutions of higher education, particularly in the fields of nursing, medicine, health sciences and graduate study. Located in Chicago, IL, the College of Nursing offers online options for Baccalaureate and Master's educated Registered Nurses. There are a number of clinical sites in the Chicago area that faculty will assist in setting up for the student. The Rush University - College of Nursing received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Programs Offered On-Campus: ADN - MSN - (Clinical Nurse Specialist), MSN - Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN - Critical Care (Adult) Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN - Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN - Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN - Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Post-Master's Certificates are offered in the same CNS specialties as the MSN programs.
NP Programs Offered Online: Advanced Generalist MSN, MSN - Combined Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
- Click Here for Information about the On-Campus CNS programs at Rush University.
- Click Here for information about the Rush University College of Nursing Online programs.
American Sentinel University - School of Nursing
The RN to MSN completion program is offered online and accepts RN's with current licenses and either a community college degree or a nursing diploma. Courses are open for enrollment once a month. Get more information today.
Programs Offered: RN to MSN Online (Tracks: Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership, Case Management, Nursing Education, and Nursing Informatics), RN to BSN
- Click Here to request information from the American Sentinel University's Online RN to MSN Completion Program
Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing - Distance Education
The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools.
Programs Offered: ADN - MSN Bridge Nurse Midwifery (accredited by ACME), ADN - MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (accredited by the NLNAC), and ADN - MSN Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (accredited by the NLNAC). FSMFN also offers an online DNP program accredited by the AACN.
- Click Here for more information about the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing distance education programs.
Loyola University New Orleans - School of Nursing
Loyola University New Orleans offers an MSN - Health Care Systems Management and an MSN - BLEND (RN MSN) program designed for RNs to enter the MSN program without a BSN. These programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
- Click Here for information about the Loyola University Online MSN Programs.
Western Governors University - Nursing
Western Governors University offers an online RN to MSN degree program for registered nurses with an associate's degree. WGU is Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as well as Nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.
All of the Western Governors University nursing programs are Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited. The Online RN to MSN programs are currently accepting applications. Request information today.
Programs Offered: RN to BSN, RN to MSN - (Tracks: Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership & Management)
- Click Here to request information from WGU's Online RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN Programs Offered at Nursing Schools Based in Illinois
Loyola University Chicago Niehoff - School of Nursing
Programs Offered: RN to MSN, MS in Nursing (Graduate Majors: Acute Care, Adult Health, Cardiac Health and Disease Management, Family Health, Health Systems Management, Oncology, Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety (PICES)Women's Health)
- Loyola University Chicago Niehoff - School of Nursing, Lake Shore Campus, 6525 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626, PH: 773-508-3249
Rush University - College of Nursing
Programs Offered: ADN to MSN (Career Options in: Advanced generalist practice, advanced specialty practice and teaching)
- Rush University - College of Nursing, Armour Academic Center, 600 S. Paulina Street, Suite 1080, Chicago, IL 60612, PH: 312-942-7117
West Suburban College of Nursing
Programs Offered: RN to MSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates (Majors Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator), BSN, RN to MSN
- West Suburban College of Nursing, Office of Enrollment Management, 3 Erie Court, Oak Park, IL 60302, PH: 708-763-6530
