Online RN to MSN Programs in IL: Reviewing Top Schools

An Overview of Online RN to MSN Degrees in Illinois

RN to MSN bridge programs are designed for nurses without a BSN degree. Whether you hold an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in another area, bridge programs help you to earn your MSN in the most efficient way.

The best online RN to MSN programs offer a flexible and affordable academic option for working RNs. Many standout programs lean on asynchronous coursework, allowing you to complete classes at your own pace rather than attending live virtual classes. While these programs offer extensive online course content, in-person clinical work is inevitably required for most RN to MSN bridge programs.

When reviewing potential programs, you should carefully review any online requirements. Many programs require brief but intensive in-person visits, in-person orientations, or lab-based classes requiring in-person participation.

Depending on your higher education experience, the number of credits required for graduation can vary. Throughout your RN to MSN program, you’ll encounter a mix of core classes, specialization courses, and graduate-level requirements. Below we’ve highlighted three standout schools that offer a good mix of flexibility, affordability, and quality instruction.

FAQs About RN to MSN Online Programs in Illinois

As you consider your professional future, it’s normal to have questions. In the section below, we’ve done our best to answer some common concerns students like you often have. Whether you’re curious about the logistics of RN to MSN bridge programs or wondering what you’ll learn, keep reading for our detailed answers.

What should I look for in a quality RN to MSN program in Illinois?

The most important component of any RN to MSN program revolves around approval and accreditation. When looking for accredited nursing schools, you should only consider options accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Other essential components include high graduation rates, career placement resources, and networking opportunities. For departments with ADN or BSN degrees, high NCLEX-RN pass rates also can indicate quality educational outcomes.

Will I earn my bachelor’s degree during my RN to MSN program?

It depends. Colleges in Illinois offer different pathways for RNs based on your previous education. While some programs only accept candidates who already hold a BSN, others allow nurses with ADNs to apply and enable students to earn BSN credentials as part of the curriculum. DePaul University offers an RN to MSN bridge program for ADN holders that includes an additional six credits that count towards both BSN and MSN degree requirements. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject, you’ll need to complete three bridge courses.

What will I learn in an RN to MSN program in Illinois?

ADN and BSN curricula provide the foundational knowledge you need to take up registered nursing roles, but MSN programs provide the advanced skills and knowledge required to grow your career. Building upon existing nursing knowledge, these programs develop leadership skills while also exposing you to more administrative and business functions.

At Elmhurst College, you can expect to take courses in nursing and clinical leadership theory while exploring the organization, policy, and finance of healthcare systems. You’ll also tackle classes focusing on clinical leadership role development and technology in healthcare education and practice.

What can you do with an MSN in Illinois?

Earning an MSN degree in Illinois can enable you to work in several high-paying, in-demand roles across the state. Whether in a small town such as Bloomington or the thriving metropolis of Chicago, nursing professionals with MSN qualifications can work as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists, to name a few. If you’re looking for a more specialized role, you may consider nursing administration, advanced clinical nursing, nursing education, and nursing informatics positions. Many programs also offer specialization and after earning an MSN, you can also pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

How do I go from being an RN to an MSN nurse in Illinois?

For RNs wanting to enhance their career options and earning potential dramatically, RN to MSN programs in Illinois offer a direct academic pathway that only takes about three years to complete. Because this path is designed for working RNs, applicants must first complete an ADN program, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and often have a couple of years of professional experience in a clinical setting. Additionally, accelerated pathways are available for individuals holding a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN).

While there are different routes to your advanced nursing role, the following steps are a typical pathway to a nurse practitioner (NP) career in Illinois.

1. Complete an ADN program
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and meet all clinical requirements for licensure
3. Enroll in an online or on-campus RN to MSN program
4. Pass the National Nurse Practitioner Certification Board Exam and meet all clinical requirements for NP licensure

Illinois’s Top Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs

To identify the best schools in Illinois, we’ve created a ranking system using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). First, we identify schools that are institutionally accredited and contain at least one online component. Then, we assign weight to metrics such as percentage of online courses and student to faculty ration. As you can see, only one school made our ranking list in Illinois, but depending on your unique situation, there may be other schools that fit your needs.

Illinois RN vs. MSN: Comparison of Potential Earnings & Job Prospects