Get your Master of Science in Nursing Near Chicago

Here, you are the heartbeat of the healthcare community.

In an evolving profession like nursing, and in a nation making its way through complex healthcare reform, it's more important than ever for nurses to pursue advanced education. Governors State University’s Master of Science in Nursing offers several outstanding post-baccalaureate program options that will prepare you for your future as a highly educated advanced practice nurse or for leadership roles in nursing. Our nursing programs focus on providing quality, holistic care; creating healing environments; and building caring communities. The GovState nursing faculty includes Advanced Practice Nurses, nurse executives, seasoned educators, and doctorally-prepared researchers who provide students with an exceptional education.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) meets your needs as a working nurse through flexible hybrid courses. Choose from four concentrations to tailor your academic interests to your professional goals: Nursing Executive and Innovative Leadership, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Health, Family Nurse Practitioner, or the post-master Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate. The MSN and BSN nursing programs in the College of Health and Human Services are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

See our current Fact Sheets for each program below:

Reach Your Career Goals

Keep up with the rapidly changing healthcare system as you pursue an advanced practice nursing and nursing executive leadership education. Advanced practice nurses and nurse executives work individually or in collaboration with doctors to provide quality health treatment and management—and to provide innovations in the ever-growing and reforming healthcare industry.

Why get a Master of Science in Nursing?

An MSN will open doors to career opportunities only available to nurses with advanced degrees. As you choose a concentration, consider your ultimate career goals: nurses with aspirations to reach executive levels in healthcare can achieve their goals through the Nursing Executive and Innovative Leadership concentration, while those who wish to advance in clinical care may pursue Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Health or Family Nurse Practitioner concentrations.

Data collected in May 2023 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the mean annual salary for Advanced Practice Nurses is $128,490 with an average range of $94,530-$168,030. Chicago’s median salary for Advanced Practice Nurses is $130,120 according to salary.com.

Delivery Format

Governors State’s Master of Science in Nursing concentrations range from 42 – 47 credit hours—allowing you to advance your career in less than two years.