Most advanced practice nurses (APNs) today have master's degrees, and the number of advanced practice nurses in Illinois has increased dramatically in recent years. Between July 2007 and July 2011, the number of Illinois APNs increased 26.3 percent, to a total of 7,434 advanced practice nurses.
Illinois advanced practice nurses, overall, are extremely satisfied with their careers. According to a recent survey of Illinois nurses, APNs were more likely than RNs to say that they are "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with work. Compared to RNs, advanced practice nurses typically possess a larger degree of professional autonomy. Additional education gives them the ability to work in fields of their choosing, and to practice nursing to its fullest extent. Illinois requires advanced practice nurses to work in collaboration with state physicians, but most APNs are able to work relatively independently on a day-to-day basis.
Increasingly, Illinois nurses are pursuing master's degrees relatively early in their careers, rather than waiting until mid-career or later. In Illinois, the average age of the state's advanced practice nurses is actually younger than the average age of the state's RNs and LPNs.
Professional organizations for advanced practice nurses in Illinois include the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the Illinois League for Nursing, the Illinois Nurses Association and the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing.
MSN programs for Illinois nurses include:
- DePaul University. DePaul offers a Master's Entry into Nursing Practice program for college grads who wish to become nurses, as well as nurse practitioner education and a nurse anesthesia program. Nurse anesthesia applicants must have completed at least one year of employment in an ICU.
- Northern Illinois University. MSN students at Northern Illinois University can pursue graduate education as clinical nurse specialists, nurse educators or nurse practitioners. Students can choose a thesis or non-thesis option; the thesis option is generally chosen by students who plan to go on to a career in research or academia.
Below is a list of all the accredited schools with campus locations in Illinois that offer MSN programs.
 Chamberlain College of Nursing
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 Olivet Nazarene University
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 Saint Xavier University
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Aurora University (Aurora, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science in Nursing
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Benedictine University (Lisle, IL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science in Nursing
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Bradley University (Peoria, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Nurse Administered Anesthesia, Nursing Administration
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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DePaul University (Chicago, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Systems Leadership, Master of Science in Nursing - Adult Health CNS, Nurse Anesthetist Program, Nursing Education, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Governors State University (University Park, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: CNS in Adult Health, Nursing Administration
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Illinois State University (Normal, IL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Systems Administration
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Lewis University (Romeoville, IL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, MSN/MBA, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care CNS, Acute Care NP (ACNP), Acute Care-Emergency Care NP (ENP), Adult Health CNS, Adult Health NP (ANP), Cardiovascular Health and Disease Management CNS, Cardiovascular Health and Disease Management CNS/ANP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Systems Management, MS in Dietetics, MSN/M.Div, MSN/MBA, Oncology CNS, Oncology CNS/ANP, Population Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety (PICES)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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McKendree University (Lebanon, IL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Nursing Education, Nursing Management/Administration
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Millikin University (Decatur, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, CRNA Program (with Decatur Memorial Hospital), Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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North Park University (Chicago, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Advanced Practice Nursing Track, Leadership & Management Track
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Northern Illinois University (Dekalb, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Clinical Nurse, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Community Health Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Resurrection University (Oak Park, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Health CNS, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator
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Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (North Chicago, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
Accreditation: AANA/CANAEP accredited
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Rush University (Chicago, IL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care NP (ACNP), Acute/Chronic Care Pediatric NP (ACCNP), Adult NP (ANP), Anesthesia (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Community/Public Health CNS (PHCNS), Critical Care CNS (CCCS), Family NP (FNP), Generalist Entry Masters (GEM), Gerontological CNS, Gerontological NP (GNP), Medical-Surgical CNS, Neonatal NP (NNP), Pediatric CNS, Pediatric NP (PNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Saint Anthony College of Nursing (Rockford, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing (Peoria, IL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Child and Family Nursing (CNL CNS or Educator), Medical-Surgical Nursing (CNL CNS or Educator), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Health Care & Nursing Administration, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care (CNS or NP), Administrative Studies in Nursing, Adult NP, Adult/Geriatric NP, Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, Family NP, Geriatric (CNS or NP), Mental Health (CNS or NP), MSN/MBA, MSN/MPH, MSN/MS in Health Informatics, Nurse Midwifery, Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, Occupational Health/Family NP, Pediatric (CNS or NP), Perinatal CNS, School/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, School/Family NP, Women’s Health NP
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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