2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Nebraska

Located in the Midwest heartland of the US, Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, Nebraska is devoted to producing educated healthcare professionals – from nurses to sonographers. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered on campus, online, or a hybrid option. The technology, including the simulation lab, is state of the art to provide advanced teaching methods. There is a strong clinical emphasis and multiple hands-on opportunities to prepare graduates for real-life conditions. In addition, students will appreciate job shadowing, the platinates and cadaver labs, and the science and skills laboratories. Clinical hours take place in patient care settings and labs to build skills and confidence. Of note, Bryan offers the most clinical hours of all institutions in the state. The goal is exposure to a diverse range of experiences in hospitals (urban and rural), day care centers, outpatient clinics, doctors’ office, retirement facilities (including assisted living), palliative and hospice care, rehab and long-term facilities, occupational therapy centers, pediatrics, schools and university student health programs. They may work in county services or home healthcare.

Undergraduate programs – a degree from Bryan College of Health Sciences School of Nursing prepares students for success in a wide variety of positions. They will be able to build a career in acute care, hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, long-term and home health, to name a few. Clinical hours are extensive at 1,215 for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (the highest number for any BSN program in the state of Nebraska).

Graduate programs -  the MSN, RN to MSN, and EdD degrees prepare degree holders for a variety of leadership roles in education and practice. The MSN can be done while working full time. Students earn 36 credits in a distance learning format with synchronous video meetings for each course. It is conducted 75% fully online. The two tracks are nurse educator and nurse leadership. Upon completion of the MSN, students find employment opportunities as faculty, nurse managers, directors of nursing, care coordinators among other careers. Students may elect the BSN to education Doctorate in Nursing and Health Professions Education, earning 54 credits via the same program as the MSN. They enjoy real-time engagement with faculty and other students. It is a leading program in the country that is both flexible and affordable. In addition, the school offers a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice with 3,000 clinical hours.

Nebraska Methodist College is located in Omaha, Nebraska.  Their college educates healthcare professionals, from nurses to respiratory therapists to occupational therapists.  Their nursing program is extensive, offering everything from BSN programs to DNP programs.  They offer a traditional BSN program, an accelerated BSN program, an RN to BSN program and an LPN to BSN program.

The Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health is a private Methodist college located in Omaha that focuses on degrees in healthcare. It was founded in 1891 and now offers the latest technologies in state-of-the-art labs. Graduates become nurses or other healthcare professions such as respiratory and occupational therapists. The mission of the College is to send students out into the community as healthcare experts who offer human caring, a creative intellect, and skilled practice. The hallmark of their education is the Teaching the Meaning of Care partnership with the Nebraska healthcare system.

Undergraduate programs – the traditional BSN is offered along with an accelerated version, an RN to BSN and an LPN to BSN. The BSN is a CCNE-accredited four-year program offered on campus. It comprises three semesters of general education courses and five semesters of nursing skills and clinical  classes. Students may enroll directly out of high school or transfer previously earned college-level credits. Students may opt for the fast-track 12-month accelerated ACE.

Graduate programs – at the graduate level, the College of Nursing offers several MSN paths: nurse education, nurse executive, nurse informatics, nurse educator, care coordinator. All majors have an RN to MSN program. At the doctoral level, students can specialize in Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Specialist. In addition, the College has an APRN to DNP program and an MSN/MHP to DNP in Public Health Policy. Each has their own mission and credit requirements. As needed, students acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to proceed in their professional careers. Students can attend full or part time, which requires four to five years of study.

Union College is located in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Their nursing program has been in existence since 1896 - it is the oldest BSN program in the state of Nebraska.  They offer a traditional BSN program, an LPN to BSN track and an RN to BSN track.  They have also began to offer an early admission for new college freshmen.

Students seeking a nursing degree in the state of Nebraska have the Union College of Nursing in Lincoln. The school was founded in 1896 and now offers the oldest BSN program in the state. The nursing program boasts of small class sizes and technology-advanced simulation labs. The spectacular simulation center offers students the opportunity to practice in a hospital environment with patient volunteers. A group of nursing students each month with assisting physicians attends an outreach community program for the homeless. They also can elect to visit a developing nature to run a medical clinic in a remote area.

Undergraduate programs – The College offers a traditional four-year BSN, LPN to BSN track, and an RN to BSN option. Nurses with an associate in applied science or a diploma in nursing are eligible for the latter. The programs address the growing need for nurses in the years to come. The exceptional faculty has a mission to produce well-trained, qualified candidates. The school is known for its spiritual values and a strong support system. Each student receives special attention and enjoys the healthcare expertise offered. Graduates have the solid foundation to succeed in the healthcare field. They come to make a difference in patients’ lives and the personal reward it affords. Transfer students are welcome. Students can become registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or nurse anesthetists. a broad group of positions in nursing is expected as well as possible graduate study.

Clarkson College is located in Omaha, Nebraska.  Clarkson College is devoted entirely to educating healthcare professionals.  Their nursing program was established in 1888.  They offer a BSN program and an RN to BSN program.  The RN to BSN program is offered entirely online.  They are also the only college in Omaha to offer a Nurse Anesthesia program.

Clarkson College was always a school of nursing; in fact, it was the first in the state of Nebraska. Founded in 1888, the College was dedicated to healthcare professions. The program has since expanded and the private College is now associated with a commitment to excellence. Applicants from across the country seek the program’s superior education and opportunities to excel in their nursing careers. The goal of the School of Nursing is to prepare highly skilled and well-trained nurses through faculty-led coursework and clinical hours.

Undergraduate programs – the core programs include the BSN, RN to BSN and LPN to BSN. Of note, the Nurse Anesthesia program is the only one in Omaha. Graduates have the enhanced knowledge to enter the nursing field as a nurse practitioner, nursing instructor, administrator or researcher. The programs are done on campus and on line with accelerated study options. Classes are small affording individual attention. The focus of the curriculum is on core courses, emphasizing evidence-based practice, leadership, and population health. Students undergo a solid foundation in science and the humanities before undertaking their specific requirements. The LPN to BSN program is for licensed practical nurses who want to advance their education and become RNs. It can be done full or part time. (Most coursework is done on campus.) Clinical hours are mandatory.

Graduate programs – Along with the traditional MSN, the School of Nursing offers an RN to MSN track. Working nurses enjoy the online curriculum and complete hands-on competency checks on campus. The specialties are numerous depending upon the student’s career goals: Healthcare Administration, Nursing Education, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner. Graduates learn to design and implement healthcare strategies and lead organizations. The Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia combines an academic curriculum with extensive clinical practice. The DNP curriculum includes courses in leadership, healthcare policy and the evidence-based process to navigate the complexities of healthcare and improve patient outcomes. All programs entail critical thinking, professional communication, and technological expertise.

University of Nebraska Medical Center is located in Omaha, Nebraska.  UNMC is focused on educating healthcare professionals, from nurses, to pharmacists, to dentists.  They offer a traditional BSN program, an accelerated BSN program for students with a prior bachelor's degree, an an RN to BSN program, which can be completed either full-time or part-time.

All levels of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are available at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on five campuses. The public institution in Omaha was founded in 1869 and chartered as a medical college in 1881. It has been part of the University of Nebraska System since 1902. It now comprises a hospital, dental college, pharmacy college, college of nursing, and college of medicine along with the newer colleges of public health and allied health professions. Graduates become nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. The College of Nursing is known as a culture of nursing leadership with a focus on personal, professional, and scholarly growth. The learning environment is state of the art within a world-class science center. In fact, UMC has connections with over one hundred healthcare institutions in the state. Students therefore are exposed to a variety of experiences.

Undergraduate programs – whether you want to study full or part time, there is a program for you at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Students enjoy simulation using virtual reality, team-based learning, e-learning, and “flipped classrooms”. They can attend several campuses for their coursework. The undergraduate BSN accommodates students who need flexibility. Program options include the traditional BSN on all five campuses. The accelerated BSN is for those already holding a bachelor’s degree. In one year of intensive study, student can become RNs. The RN to BSN is done online for those who are RNs, have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Diploma in Nursing. Courses are offered exclusively online with completion expected in two semesters.

Graduate programs – Students will study on all five campuses in Nebraska with numerous healthcare settings offered for their clinical hours such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, nursing homes, and other facilities. Nationally recognized teachers, researchers and practitioners comprise the exceptional faculty. It is a top-rated program in the US. The programs are in a hybrid format with individual and group online instruction for convenience and flexibility. Among the graduate study options are the PhD degree (post-masters or BSN to PhD), the DNP program (post-master's DNP or BSN-to-DNP degree), and the MSN and PMC program (offered as a BSN-to-MSN degree or post master’s certificate).

The nursing program at Creighton University in downtown Omaha is praiseworthy ranked high in the state of Omaha. This private, Jesuit institution was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878. For more than 60 years, Creighton has been preparing nurses via their highly-rated robust education with hands-on experience in nursing clinicals and a preceptorship. Students master the knowledge and skills needed for the challenging profession. In the College of Nursing, they learn to develop intellectual acumen along with the spiritual values of the Jesuit tradition. The school offer programs at a bachelor’s (BSN), master’s (MSN) and doctorate (DNP) as well as with a variety of post-graduate APRN and a post-master’s NP certificate.

Undergraduate programs – in addition to the traditional BSN, the ABSN is the fact-track option for faster degree completion in twelve months. It is one of the country’s first program of this kind, inaugurated in 1975. Students seeking a BSN enjoy exceptional hands-on learning experiences in multiple specialties at clinical sites such CHI Health, Methodist Health System, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, and community-based sites.

Graduate programs – Experiencing the same superior facilities and renowned faculty of the undergraduate program, students seeking a graduate degree are trained to take on an active role in delivery quality healthcare and shaping public health policy. They may elect to become educators or nursing professionals. For example, the MSN provides advanced knowledge and skills for success in any healthcare environment. They can also pursue an APRN certificate, BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP. At the graduate level, students analyze theoretical concepts from nursing to qualify for advanced nursing practice in the provision and improvement of healthcare. They go on to assume leadership roles in designing, managing and implementing quality, cost-effective, and innovative services in a variety of healthcare settings.

Nursing students can study part or full time for their practical nursing diploma at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. They may go on for their BSN or enter graduate school. NECC is a public institution within the state community college system with four campuses in Norfolk O’Neill, South Sioux City, and West Point. Dating back to 1973, the College was formed by merging Northeastern Nebraska College and Northeast Nebraska Technical College. The Associate Degree nursing program is accredited by the ACEN Board of Commissioners. The preparatory focus produces graduates ready to work with the requisite skills and knowledge to practice in the nursing field on a team in a clinical setting such as a traditional or specialty hospital, a nursing or outpatient care facility, a home healthcare service, a doctor’s office, or a retirement and/or assisted living community. They can elect among dozens of specialties such as pediatrics or geriatrics and acquire the requisite certificates at a later time. Students enjoy a rich campus life laden with activities and opportunities for involvement.

Undergraduate programs – The College has preprofessional nursing programs consisting of two years of coursework. Credits may be transferred to a four-year institution for those seeking a four-year BSN degree. Student have two options: an associate of arts or an associate of science degree, both requiring a minimum of 60 credit hours. The coursework varies with electives in the humanities (English, the fine arts, and math) and the behavioral and social sciences. Both tracks lead to RN licensure according to state laws.

Western Nebraska Community College is a public community college in Scottsbluff, Nebraska with campuses in Sidney, Nebraska, and Alliance, offering convenience and flexibility to state residents. WNCC was previously named Scottsbluff Junior College, Scotts Bluff County College, and Nebraska Western College. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Nebraska Board of Nursing. Graduates are well-equipped to enter the work force as RNs with the required knowledge, skills and hands-on learn experiences.

Undergraduate programs – the ADN offered has a definite focus. Students learn the practices and processes to minimize risk of harm, coordinate patient-centered care, share decision-making and promote effective team functioning. They share values and beliefs consistent with ethical standards and clinical agency policies. It takes four college semesters to complete the core nursing curriculum with general education pre-requisites. Students must attend classes on campus and participate in clinical rotations through the school year. They may be done during the day or evenings (possibly on weekends) as is convenient for the student in area hospitals, provider’s clinics, community-based settings, and long-term care facilities. The Practical Nursing Program Certificate is for those who seek to become an LPN upon licensure. All three campuses offer this track.

Metropolitan Community College is located in Omaha, Nebraska.  Their ADN nursing program is reserved specifically for licensed practical nurses.  It is offered twice yearly - fall and summer.  The fall program is "traditional", whereas the summer program requires that students be available on evenings and weekends.