Chamberlain University, Illinois

Nursing Programs

Academic Nursing Programs

• 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• RN to BSN
• RN-BSN to MSN
• Master of Science in Nursing
• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Graduate Certificate Programs

Online Program Options

• RN to BSN
• RN-BSN to MSN
• Master of Science in Nursing
• MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

Undergraduate Programs

3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Chamberlain's College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program offers an entry level baccalaureate degree program for nurses to complete in three years, rather than the traditional four years. Students go through the summers, unlike peers in other programs, therefore starting their careers sooner. The program can be completed online or through a hybrid option, making it flexible and convenient for students.

What if I have my LPN or LVN?

LPN/LVN Option

Chamberlain students or applicants who hold an LPN or LVN license can enroll in the 3-year BSN degree program with 9 transfer credits awarded for those who are able to pass the skills test and proficiency exams.

Eligibility requirements for LPN/LVN option include holding an active or in-active license as a practical/vocational nurse from the US or a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) with no active discipline or restrictions on the license.

Admission Requirements for all BSN applicants

• High school CGPA of 2.75 or GED® test score of 551 if taken between 2002-2013 or a minimum score of 600 if taken in 2014 or after
• College CGPA of 2.75 (must include at least 24 credit hours, excluding developmental courses)
• A2 Admission Assessment custom score of 73 which is inclusive of all academic subject areas

RN-BSN Online Program

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers RN to BSN programs which is 100% online for nurses to complete in as little as three semesters or one year, full-time.

Admission Requirements for RN-BSN program:

• A nursing diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing from an institution recognized by the Department of Education
• A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN
• Application for admission and an interview with a Chamberlain representative

RN-BSN-MSN Online Option

Program Overview

The RN-BSN to MSN Online Option is designed for RN students completing their BSN degree with a desire to complete a Master's level nursing degree. The students enrolled in this program take two Master's level courses in place of BSN courses.

There are five specialty Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) tracks from which to choose:

1. Educator
2. Executive
3. Family Nurse Practitioner
4. Healthcare Policy
5. Informatics

Admission Requirements for RN-BSN-MSN

• A nursing Diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education
• A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN
• CGPA of 3.0 or greater in RN to BSN coursework
• Completion of all liberal arts and sciences courses for the BSN degree

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Nursing

Chamberlain's online MSN program is offered in an online format for those interested in five specialty tracks:

1. Educator
2. Executive
3. Family Nurse Practitioner
4. Healthcare Policy
5. Informatics

Admission Requirements

• Must have a bachelor's level or higher degree from an accredited program by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• A minimum undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or
• A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale based on 12 or more semester hours of graduate coursework
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN

Provisional Admission (not applicable for FNP specialty track):

Applicants who meet all general admission requirements to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program but have a lower GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may gain admission into the program on an academic warning.

Overview

In as few as eight (8) semesters, Chamberlain's Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track prepares students to deliver care to all types of patient populations. The FNP program is 100% online coursework, but includes simulation and clinical experiences.

At the end of the program, graduates are prepared to sit for the national certification exam as an FNP.

Immersion Weekend

As part of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curriculum, students are required to attend an immersion weekend during week 7 of the NR-509 course, Advanced Physical Assessment at the Q Center Training Facility in St. Charles, Illinois.  

APN Capstone Practicum

Clinical practicum is important for the student to practice real life situations to be able to analyze, apply, and evaluate diverse aspects of patient assessment and care. The practicum will be precepted by another nurse and will focus on clinical management skills, case studies, chart reviews, and practice critique, with a capstone product evidencing increasing complex clinical management skills.

Preceptors & Practicum Sites

Once you apply, your admission representative will guide you on how to find a potential practicum site as well as a preceptor. The student will have to find their own site and preceptor. Before you start the program, you do not have to find a preceptor, but will have to identify a potential site by the first day of class.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Online

Are campus visits required?

Chamberlain's DNP Healthcare Systems Leadership specialty track is a 100% online program designed for registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses who hold a master's degree in nursing.  The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program requires completion of 32 to 40 credit hours and a total of 1,024 post-baccalaureate practicum hours. Students should  expect to finish two courses per semester over a total of six semesters.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Master's level or higher degree from an institution accredited by either a regional accrediting agency or an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN
• Minimum CGPA of 3.0 from the master's level or higher degree in nursing

Graduate Certificate Programs Online

Chamberlain's College of Nursing online Graduate Certificate Programs are designed for MSN-prepared nurses that have a desire to continue in the specialties of nursing education and informatics.

Students in the Graduate Certificate Programs may complete either the Educator or Informatics specialty track courses, with the exception of Capstone, currently provided in Chamberlain's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program.

Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredited Chamberlain University.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has accredited the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program (including the RN to BSN degree completion option), the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program (including the RN-BSN to MSN option, the FNP track and all specialty tracks) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program at Chamberlain College of Nursing.

Awards

The National League for Nursing (NLN) awarded Chamberlain College of Nursing as a 2016 Center of Excellence by recognizing the sustained efforts in "Creating Environments That Promote the Pedagogical Expertise of Faculty.”