Olivia Chen, NP
June 23, 2025
Nebraska’s healthcare system depends heavily on Certified Nursing Assistants who are known as CNAs. CNAs provide basic assistance to patients under licensed nurse supervision for bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility care. The patient health condition monitoring duties of CNAs include recording vital signs along with reporting any noticed changes. CNAs work throughout all healthcare settings across Nebraska such as hospitals as well as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private home care services.
Omaha, NE - Private 4-year - clarksoncollege.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Clarkson College's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program offers a robust and flexible training pathway for aspiring healthcare professionals. Delivered through innovative online and on-campus formats, the program ensures comprehensive medical skill development and certification preparation. Students benefit from year-round course offerings, allowing seamless entry into healthcare careers. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on medical training, covering essential patient care techniques, compliance requirements, and professional development strategies. With a focus on practical skills and professional readiness, Clarkson College's CNA program prepares students to excel in diverse healthcare settings, providing a strong foundation for future medical career advancement.
Lincoln, NE - Public 2-Year - southeast.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Southeast Community College's Nursing Assistant program delivers a rapid and comprehensive healthcare training experience designed for aspiring medical professionals. Students can complete the program in an efficient 8-16 week timeline, gaining critical patient care skills applicable across multiple healthcare environments. Uniquely accessible, the program welcomes participants without high school diploma requirements and maintains a minimum enrollment age of 16. Comprehensive curriculum covers essential patient interaction techniques, medical communication protocols, and professional standards. Financially attractive for Nebraska residents, tuition ranges between $369-$438, with flexible hybrid learning formats and multiple campus locations. Graduates are positioned to enter the Nurse Aide Registry and pursue immediate employment opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health services.
Nebraska training programs for CNA certification combine online learning with necessary in-person clinical experience. Through their online platform students have access to theoretical lessons which they can complete at any time. The CNA certification programs use online learning together with practical training to help students who have work and family responsibilities. Students need to attend conventional classroom sessions for performing clinical skills training as well as patient practice. The supervised clinical hours occur in clinical labs together with real healthcare facilities to provide students with complete patient care competency.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Clarkson College |
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| Southeast Community College Area |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 16, no convictions of moral turpitude related to nursing aide duties, and able to speak and understand English |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | Complete a DHHS-approved course of at least 75 hours (classroom instruction, skills lab, supervised clinical practice) plus one hour of Nebraska-specific abuse/neglect training |
| Exam and Application Fees | No state or registry application fees, competency exam costs vary by testing provider |
| Certification Exam | Pass a 50-question written or oral knowledge test (70% passing) and a six-skill practical evaluation |
| Registry Activation Time | Exam results are processed and registry updated approximately three weeks after passing both exams |
| Renewal Requirements | Remain active by working as a paid nurse aide at least once every 24 months, no renewal fee |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs submit an Interstate Endorsement form, complete one hour of Nebraska abuse/neglect training, and are added to the registry within 30 days without fee |
The stable employment status of CNAs in Nebraska comes with a competitive starting wage. The hourly compensation for CNAs spans between $16 and $19 based on their work experience together with their geographical location. The annual earnings for CNAs fall between $33,000 and $40,000 but they can earn additional money through shift premium pay and overtime work. Better pay is found in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities than in small care homes and rural area employers. The growing demand for long-term care services in Nebraska creates solid job opportunities for CNAs because of the aging population. The staffing shortages throughout many facilities create immediate positions available for new CNA graduates. Skilled caregivers are consistently needed by rural communities.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Nebraska | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $33,000 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $15.87 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$40,200 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $33,000 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$27,300 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~3% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~3,100 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Community College Area |
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| Clarkson College |
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Getting certified as a CNA in Nebraska establishes a standard entry point into healthcare career progression. The experience that CNAs gain enables them to move forward in their careers by becoming Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs). Nursing practice observation and patient care experience builds essential knowledge for advancing into complex healthcare roles. The nursing schools welcome CNA applicants through their doors and provide CNA students with accelerated educational paths. CNA workers who finish additional training programs can become medication aides which extends their job duties. Workplaces that hire staff members normally offer educational expense support together with adaptable scheduling choices for maintaining ongoing education. The path to additional education enables Certified Nursing Assistants to shift into roles which provide both greater independence and improved compensation with increased responsibilities. Working as a CNA creates excellent career growth opportunities that serve as an ideal entry point for those who want to develop their nursing careers, patient care skills, and healthcare management expertise.
Additional Nursing Programs in Nebraska
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