Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 26, 2025
Nebraska’s nursing education landscape offers a variety of pathways to suit every stage of your healthcare career. Whether you’re launching your journey as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or specializing as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s community colleges, universities, and health systems provide well‑rounded curricula that blend classroom study with hands‑on clinical experiences. From rotations in Omaha’s leading hospitals to rural practicums on the plains, and with flexible online options for busy learners, Nebraska’s nursing programs prepare graduates with the expertise, credentials, and competitive salary potential to thrive across the Cornhusker State’s diverse medical settings.
Omaha, NE - Private 4-year - clarksoncollege.edu
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Clarkson College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program blends science, humanities, and nursing courses to prepare students for diverse healthcare environments. With small class sizes, experienced faculty, and early hands-on learning, students gain the skills to excel. The program offers a hybrid format, combining classroom and online learning. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The program emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, and compassionate care, setting students on a path to make a significant impact in healthcare.
Lincoln, NE - Private 4-year - bryanhealthcollege.edu
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Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, NE, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program designed for aspiring nurses. This program stands out with its comprehensive curriculum, blending natural sciences, social sciences, communications, and humanities. Unique features include a low clinical faculty-to-student ratio of 1:6 and over 1,200 clinical hours, the highest in the state. Graduates enjoy a 100% NCLEX pass rate as of May 2023 and a job guarantee upon acceptance. With no prerequisites required, students can complete their entire degree at Bryan, preparing for a rewarding career in various healthcare settings.
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Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, NE, offers an Accelerated Nursing Degree, a 12-month BSN program designed for swift entry into nursing. With a 3.0 GPA requirement and prerequisite courses, it's ideal for those with a bachelor's degree or significant college experience. The program boasts a 1:6 clinical faculty-to-student ratio, over 1,200 clinical hours, and a 100% NCLEX pass rate for May 2023 graduates. Graduates enjoy job guarantees at Bryan Health facilities and a starting salary up to $60,000. Prerequisites include courses in anatomy, microbiology, and more, with transfer credits accepted for C grades or better.
Lincoln, NE - Private 4-year - nebrwesleyan.edu
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Nebraska Wesleyan University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a comprehensive 4-year degree that blends clinical and foundational knowledge with liberal arts for a well-rounded education. Students gain over 800 clinical hours, enhancing critical thinking and communication skills in a supportive environment with small class sizes and experienced faculty. The curriculum includes a prep course for the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.0 GPA, prerequisite courses, and clinical readiness. Direct entry options are available for high achievers.
Omaha, NE - Private 4-year - csm.edu
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The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE, prepares students for a rewarding career in healthcare. This campus-based program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for nursing excellence. It focuses on patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Admission requires meeting specific academic standards. Financial aid options are available to eligible students. The program is designed for those seeking to enter the nursing profession with a strong foundation in nursing principles and practices.
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The College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN) program designed for licensed practical nurses aiming to advance their careers. This campus-based program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for higher-level nursing roles. It focuses on bridging the gap between LPN and BSN qualifications, ensuring a smooth transition. The curriculum covers advanced nursing practices, patient care, and healthcare systems. Admission requires an LPN license and meeting specific academic criteria. Prospective students should check the college's website for detailed cost information and application deadlines. This program is ideal for those seeking to enhance their nursing expertise and career opportunities.
Omaha, NE - Private 4-year - creighton.edu
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Creighton University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students for generalist practice in various healthcare settings. With a curriculum of 128 credits, the program emphasizes hands-on experience, critical thinking, and ethical standards in nursing. Admission is direct for freshmen, requiring a high school GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and a strong academic background. The program boasts a 93% NCLEX pass rate over five years, with all graduates employed or pursuing further studies within six months. Financial aid and scholarships are available to make this accredited program accessible.
Nebraska’s LPN programs blend classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and rural health clinics. Students gain practical skills administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Nebraska licensure, graduates bolster the state’s practical nursing workforce, enhancing access to quality care across both metropolitan areas like Omaha and Lincoln and smaller communities.
Nebraska’s CNA courses run approximately six to twelve weeks, merging classroom instruction in hygiene best practices and vital‑sign monitoring with supervised hands‑on practicums. Students practice feeding, grooming, and mobility assistance while maintaining precise care records. After certification, graduates bolster healthcare teams in both urban medical centers and small‑town clinics. Their foundational care enables nurses to focus on advanced treatments.
Nebraska’s RN to BSN pathways blend self-paced online study in areas like nursing leadership, population and community health, informatics and health policy with supervised clinical rotations at both urban medical centers and rural health clinics. Structured in part-time and accelerated options, these programs let RNs keep working while they complete their bachelor’s degree. Earning a BSN sharpens skills in evidence-driven practice and interdisciplinary coordination, meets employer and accreditation standards for degree-prepared nurses, and opens doors to leadership, specialty certification and public health roles statewide. By advancing their education, Nebraska’s nurses are better equipped to address diverse healthcare needs from city hospitals to frontier communities.
Nebraska’s Nurse Practitioner programs take BSN-prepared nurses into advanced-practice roles through comprehensive graduate study and hands-on clinical immersions, typically spanning two to four years, in areas like family health, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered through on-campus cohorts, hybrid models, and fully online tracks at universities and health systems statewide, these MSN and DNP pathways equip nurses for APRN certification and Nebraska licensure. Graduates serve as primary care providers, chronic care coordinators, and telehealth specialists in metropolitan hospitals, community clinics, and the state’s many rural and frontier communities. By supplying expert clinicians to regions with limited physician coverage and enhancing care continuity, NP programs play a crucial role in strengthening Nebraska’s healthcare delivery.
Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry path in rural areas, BSN preferred in Omaha and Lincoln hospitals |
RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Nebraska |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 requirement, RN-to-BSN widely available online for rural nurses |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs have full practice authority statewide |
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs practice independently with full authority |
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