2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Nebraska

Overview of Nursing Schools in Nebraska

About Nursing Schools in Nebraska

Hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s office in Nebraska are suffering from the nursing shortage. It is important that the nurses are as highly educated as possible to help ensure that the patients receive the most effective care. Nursing schools and hospitals alike are working hard to implement programs that will encourage nurses to seek out higher education. Nursing schools in Nebraska responded to this by introducing more RN and BSN programs and making them more common. Hospital systems have also responded by offering recruitment bonuses for BSNs and tuition reimbursement for nurses who choose to advance their education.

In our Nebraska RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Nebraska RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Nebraska, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Nebraska RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Best Ranked RN Programs in Nebraska

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Nebraska and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 7 ADN degree programs and 9 BSN degree programs in Nebraska. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Nebraska to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Best Nursing Schools (BSN) in Nebraska

There are several options available to registered nurses who wish to pursue higher education and wish to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Both state and private universities administer BSN programs. Available campus programs can be completed on both a part-time or full-time schedule. There are also online programs to choose from. These programs are ideal for busy, working nurses. A typical BSN program meets the challenges of today’s nurses in terms of technology and research advances.

Bryan Health College

Graduate Nursing Program

97.52% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1535 S 52nd St, Lincoln, NE - 68506
• 
  (402) 481-3801

Nurse Admin: Marcia Kube, EdD, RN, CNE

Title: Dean Of Graduate Nursing And Health Professions

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.52%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 42
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 75%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,901
• Percent Admitted: 58%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 53%
• Graduation Rate: 76%

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Department of Nursing

97.22% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  720 North 87th Street, Omaha, NE - 68114-2852
• 
  (402) 354-7000

Nurse Admin: Susie L. Ward, PhD, RN

Title: Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.22%
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 70
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,124
• Percent Admitted: 92%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 63%
• Graduation Rate: N/A

Union College

Division of Nursing

96.05% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  3800 S 48th Street, Lincoln, NE - 68506
• 
  (402) 486-2600

Nurse Admin: Elysia Ockenga, MSN, RN

Title: Nursiog Program Director

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.05%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor, LPN to BSN

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 57
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,600
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $14,286
• Percent Admitted: 98%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 10%
• Graduation Rate: 51%

Clarkson College

Graduate Nursing

95.83% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  101 S 42nd St, Omaha, NE - 68131-2739
• 
  (402) 552-3100

Nurse Admin: Layna Himmelberg, EdD, MSN, CNE

Title: Director Graduate Nursing

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.83%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 69
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $814
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 94%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,625
• Percent Admitted: 57%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 72%
• Graduation Rate: 52%

University of Nebraska Medical Center

College of Nursing

94.36% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  42nd & Dewey Ave, Omaha, NE - 68198-7815
• 
  (402) 559-4000

Nurse Admin: Juliann G. Sebastian, PhD, RN, FAAN

Title: Dean And Professor

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.36%
• Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 1415
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: N/A
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,863,604
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: N/A

Creighton University

College of Nursing

93.80% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE - 68178
• 
  (402) 280-2700

Nurse Admin: Catherine Marie Todero, PhD, RN, FAAN

Title: Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.80%
• Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, CNL, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP 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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 664
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 100%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $22,484
• Percent Admitted: 64%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 18%
• Graduation Rate: 82%

Best Nursing Schools (ADN) in Nebraska

Students at community colleges in Nebraska may be eligible for funds under "Project HELP", which stands for Health Education Laddering Program.  Project HELP allows students who meet strict income guidelines to attend school for specific, in-demand, health-related careers:

• Nursing assistants
• EMTs/Paramedics
• Medication aide
• Medical assistant
• Occupational therapy assistant
• Medical laboratory technician
• Nursing - ADN
• Nursing - LPN
• Health information management services

Northeast Community College

91.10% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  801 E Benjamin, Norfolk, NE - 68702-0469
• 
  (402) 371-2020

Nurse Admin: Karen Weidner,

Title: Director of Nursing Programs

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.10%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

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

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 129
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,750
• Book and Supplies: $1,316
• Percent Received Aid: 91%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $2,848
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 53%

Additional Listings for Nebraska Nursing Schools

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Nebraska

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Nebraska

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Nebraska offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Nebraska  RN Licensing Requirements

Nebraska Health and Human Services System
Dept. of Regulation & Licensure, Nursing Section
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-3121

Website: http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/pages/crlNursingHome.aspx

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $123
License renewal (every two years), RN: $123

Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs: 20 contact hours every renewal period

RN Licensure by Exam

Candidates must complete a 2-4 year program in professional nursing prior to applying to the department. All official transcripts should be sent from any institution where the candidate took courses that were applied toward the nursing degree. Application fees are dependent on what stage the candidate is in the licensure renewal cycle. Following this, the candidate will register separately to take the NCLEX-RN and pay the $200 testing fee. When the candidacy has been accepted, the candidate will be issued an ATT and be able to schedule a testing session.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

A candidate who has obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states can apply to be licensed in Nebraska by endorsement. The candidate will be able to practice under a temporary permit while materials are being received and processed. A notarized copy of the license will also need to be submitted. Nurses must show continuing competency by being a practicing nurse or participating in a refresher course within the last five years.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Internationally educated nurses must have passed a qualifying exam before being authorized to take the NCLEX exam in Nebraska. The Department will accept the CGFNS or the Canadian Licensing Examination.

RN Salaries in Nebraska

Registered Nurses in Nebraska earn an average of $56,920 on a yearly basis. This average covers medical and surgical nurses, home healthcare positions, and psychiatric and substance abuse hospital positions. Traditional offices generally pay less but nurses enjoy Monday to Friday daylight work hours. A registered nurse with a Bachelor’s degree will find a wide array of job opportunities available to them. Some hospital jobs that are available for PSN prepared nurses include positions in management, utilization review, and case auditors, wound care specialists, and nursing educators.

Nebraska Registered Nursing Salaries

The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area has the highest employment rate along with the highest annual median wage. The same area also has the highest hourly mean wage, with Lincoln following closely behind.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.