RN Programs in Nebraska

Nebraska RN Program Guide

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, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Nebraska RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.

The State of Nebraska offers 16 RN programs in 7 different cities. Public institutions offer 7 of the RN programs in the state while there are 0 private, for-profit and 9 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.

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 are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.

Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Nebraska RN Programs.

ADN Programs 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

NCLEX Passing Rates for Nebraska  ADN Programs

Southeast Community College has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Nebraska of 91.89%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $7,209.00 a year.

• ADN Programs Offered in Nebraska: 7
• Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 83.96%
• NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 73.00% to 91.89%

How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Nebraska?

We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Nebraska so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.

When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.

The lowest cost ADN program in Nebraska is offered by Mid-Plains Community College at about $6,004.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 81.52%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by  College of Saint Mary and it will cost about $18,388.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 83.27%.

• Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inNebraska: $8,647.29
• Net-Price Range for Nebraska ADN Programs: $6,004.00 to $18,388.00

Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs

• Average Student Borrowing for Nebraska Schools: $8,658.43
• Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Nebraska: $4,250.00 to $23,970.00

ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions

• Public Institutions: 6
• Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
• Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 1

BSN Programs 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.

NCLEX Passing Rates for Nebraska BSN Programs

Bryan College of Health Sciences wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Nebraska with a score of 92.92%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $22,962.00 a year.

• BSN Programs Offered in Nebraska: 9
• Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 89.37%
• NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 73.22% to 92.92%

How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Nebraska?

We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Nebraska to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.

The lowest cost BSN degree program in Nebraska is offered by Doane College-Lincoln Grand Island and Master and will cost you about $7,366.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of N/A%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Creighton University and will cost you about $27,057.00 and it has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 91.28%.

• Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Nebraska: $19,117.00
• Net-Price Range for Nebraska BSN Programs: $7,366.00 to $27,057.00

Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs

• Average Student Borrowing for Nebraska Schools: $22,404.38
• Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Nebraska: $17,275.00 to $25,000.00

BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions

• Public Institutions: 1
• Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
• Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 8

MSN Programs 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.

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: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data