The number of Indiana nurses with a master's degree doubled between 1997 and 2009. That increase is indicative of a larger national trend: nation-wide, advanced practice, master's-prepared nurses are becoming an essential part of the healthcare team. In Indiana (and beyond), advanced practice nurses are providing primary care, delivering babies, administering anesthesia and providing expert clinical care to patient populations that range from the very young to the very old.
Master's-prepared advanced practice nurses work both in and out of traditional healthcare settings. About half of Indiana's nurse practitioners and nurse midwives work in non-hospital settings; many work in ambulatory care centers or in private practice. Fully three-quarters of Indiana's certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) work in hospitals; many of the rest work in ambulatory surgical centers. About half of the clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in Indiana work in hospital settings. The rest work for long-term care centers, clinics and community health agencies.
Professional organizations for MSN nurses in Indiana include the Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana, the Indiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the Indiana State Nurses Association.
MSN programs for Indiana nurses include:
- Ball State University. The Princeton Review has called Ball University one of the best universities in the Midwest. Ball's School of Nursing has one of the nation's largest and most well-respected online MSN programs. Nurses who are interested in pursuing a career in either nursing leadership or primary care can study online through Ball. The school also offers an online RN-to-MS program for nurses who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing.
- University of Indianapolis. Located in the state's capital, the University of Indianapolis has a multitude of options for nurses who wish to pursue a master's degree. Students can study nurse midwifery, nurse management, nurse education or nurse practitioner. The University of Indianapolis also offers a dual MSN/MBA degree for aspiring nurse administrators who would like a graduate degree in both nursing and business.
Below is a list of all the accredited schools with campus locations in Indiana that offer MSN programs.
 Chamberlain College of Nursing
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 University of Phoenix
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 WGU Indiana
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Anderson University (Anderson, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Administration Track, Education Track, MSN-MBA
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Ball State University (Muncie, IN)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist Adult Health, Family Nurse Practitioner, Leadership Track (Educator or Administrator)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Bethel College (Mishawaka, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Educators and Administrators Track
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Goshen College (Goshen, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration Track, Nursing Education Track
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Indiana University-East (Richmond, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science in Nursing
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Indiana University-Kokomo (Kokomo, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Education
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Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (CNS), Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accredited
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Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, IN)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Purdue University-Calumet (Hammond, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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University of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse-Midwife, Nursing and Health Systems Administration
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Saint Francis (Crown Point, IN / Fort Wayne, IN)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community Health & Education, Family Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, IN)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nursing Education, Nursing Management and Leadership
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN)
Matching Program Tracks: MSN/MBA, Nursing Education
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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