Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Illinois

Practice ManagementNurse Practitioner Programs: US
Written By Victoria Sanderson

The path to becoming a nurse practitioner will be unique to you. For those of you thinking of pursing a career as an NP, I hope to provide some guidance. If you want a general overview on how to become an NP in the U.S., I suggest you read this post. If you plan on pursuing an NP career in Illinois, then read on!

First, let’s define some terms:

  • BSN: bachelor's of nursing science (undergraduate degree)

  • MSN: masters of nursing science (masters graduate degree)

  • MN-NP: combined maters + nurse practitioner degree (masters graduate degree)

  • DNP: doctor of nursing science (some schools offer with an NP specialty) (doctoral graduate degree)

  • Post-masters certification: an additional certification (like an NP speciality) someone gets after completing a masters of nursing degree

Recap: How to Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in the US

If you’re thinking of becoming an NP, I highly recommend this read to get you prepared.

You can also join the NP reasoning community to get your NP learning kick-started - LEARN MORE.

What Nurse Practitioner Programs are offered in Illinois

There are 3 common streams:

  1. Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty (MN-NP)

  2. Post-masters NP

  3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) with an NP specialty

  4. Masters of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP) with an NP specialty

Let’s break these down:

  • MN-NP programs: these are for students who do not have a master’s degree in nursing. Courses are a blend of masters & NP courses, to prepare you to become an NP.

  • Post-masters programs: you require a master’s degree in nursing to apply for a post-masters program. Programs focus on core NP courses to prepare you to become an NP.

  • BSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.

  • MSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.

When applying to a nurse practitioner program, you’ll need to choose a specific specialty to focus on. Many programs also require applicants to have prior RN experience. For instance, if you’re interested in adult-gerontology acute care, most schools expect 1–2 years of RN experience in an acute care setting, such as the ICU. Here is an overview of NP specialties to choose from.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialties in Illinois:

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Nurse Practitioner (NP) Schools in Illinois

There are LOTS - here is a quick snapshot of all the programs offered by University:

If you want to check out a document I compiled with up to date information on each program + links to each program embedded click the button below:

Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Illinois

Several universities offers online NP programs which allows for flexible learning. Several highlight the need for a few on-campus “intensives.” Intensives are hands-on workshops that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. These immersions are held at the university's physical location, are guided by expert faculty, and focus on refining advanced clinical skills in a supportive, collaborative environment, reinforcing the university's commitment to career-ready graduates. 

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program Pre-Requisites in Illinois

Most schools in Illinois require the following pre-requisites:

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0

  • RN experience: 1-2 years (some do not specify number of hours); many programs require specific RN experience depending on the speciality you are applying to

  • BScN: for masters programs or BSN-DNP programs

  • MSN: for post-certificate/post-masters programs or MSN-DNP programs

  • Other: many require an undergraduate statistics course with a minimum grade average of B/C, and other courses (e.g. undergraduate research course)

For admission, most NP programs in Illinois require you to have a BScN degree, RN registration, a GPA of 3.0, and many prefer a minimum of 1-2 years related RN experience.

Can I work while I’m completing the NP program?

This depends on many factors. One should weigh personal responsibilities, work-life balance, completing the program full-time versus part-time. In general, it’s possible to work while enrolled in the program, but this is up to your comfort level. Personally, I completed a full-time post-masters NP certificate and did not work. The course content, paired with clinical rotations were very intensive, and I was able to immerse myself in the program and get the most out of it. That being said, circumstances differ, and you need to do what works best for you. It’s important to highlight that regardless of the program, it is a steep learning curve and lots of the learning is self directed. If you are seriously considering this next step in your career, our post on how to prepare for NP school will be helpful.

Where can I work as a Nurse Practitioner in Illinois?

Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Illinois work across hospitals, outpatient clinics, community health centers, long-term care, specialty practices, public health, and even telehealth.

By law, new NPs must have a collaborative agreement with a physician that outlines their scope and prescriptive authority. After completing 4,000 practice hours and 250 continuing education hours, NPs can apply for full practice authority — allowing them to practice more independently, including prescribing medications (with some limits on controlled substances).

In short: NPs in Illinois have broad opportunities across settings, with growing autonomy as they gain experience.

Key Take home Points:

  1. Do your research on NP programs.

  2. Don’t hesitate to reach out to university admissions offices to ask questions about the program or admission process.

  3. Talk with nurse practitioners who have been through this process already.

  4. Think about what you want out of your career (Do you want a serious challenge with career growth potential?)

  5. The NP program (and career in general!) is intense and will probably be the steepest learning curve of your life. Don’t let this intimidate you – check out our newsletter to kick-start your NP journey.

Join NP Reasoning Masterclass for a practical, curated educational experience for the busy NP.

Victoria Sanderson
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Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Texas