
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
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Clarkson College's BSN program delivers a comprehensive nursing education through an innovative hybrid learning model that strategically integrates classroom instruction with online coursework. Students benefit from intimate learning environments with small class sizes, enabling personalized faculty mentorship and robust academic engagement. The curriculum meticulously balances scientific principles with humanities, cultivating critical thinking skills and compassionate patient care approaches. Aspiring nurses must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for admission, with the program specifically designed to prepare graduates for successful NCLEX-RN examination. Unique program strengths include early clinical exposure, leadership development opportunities, and a holistic approach to healthcare education that empowers students to excel in diverse medical settings.
Lincoln, NE - Private 4-year - bryanhealthcollege.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bryan College of Health Sciences delivers an exceptional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program strategically located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Prospective nursing students benefit from an extraordinary learning environment featuring a remarkable 1:6 clinical faculty-to-student ratio and comprehensive curriculum encompassing over 1,200 clinical training hours. With a phenomenal 100% NCLEX pass rate as of May 2023, the program guarantees employment upon acceptance and provides no prerequisite barriers for entry. Students engage in hands-on learning experiences within the state-of-the-art Simulation Center and receive training at Bryan Medical Center, positioning graduates for immediate professional success with potential starting salaries reaching $60,000.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Bryan College's Accelerated Nursing Degree program offers a dynamic 12-month pathway to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing for career changers and bachelor's degree holders. Designed for ambitious professionals, this intensive program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and prerequisite coursework in anatomy, microbiology, and related sciences. Students benefit from an exceptional 1:6 clinical faculty ratio, generating over 1,200 clinical training hours and maintaining a perfect 100% NCLEX examination pass rate. The program facilitates seamless credit transfers, job guarantees at Bryan Health facilities, and potential starting salaries up to $60,000, making it an attractive option for rapid nursing career advancement.
Lincoln, NE - Private 4-year - nebrwesleyan.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Nebraska Wesleyan University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program delivers a rigorous educational pathway for aspiring nurses, emphasizing comprehensive clinical preparation and academic excellence. Students engage in an intensive curriculum spanning four years, accumulating over 800 clinical training hours across diverse healthcare environments. The program's strategic design integrates liberal arts foundations with advanced nursing skills, preparing graduates for dynamic healthcare challenges. Admission requires a competitive 3.0 GPA, with direct entry options available for exceptional candidates. ACT or SAT entrance exams are standard, complemented by robust NCLEX-RN exam preparation. Small class sizes ensure personalized learning, with experienced faculty guiding students through sophisticated simulation labs and hands-on clinical experiences.
Omaha, NE - Private 4-year - csm.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
College of Saint Mary's BSN program in Omaha offers a comprehensive nursing education that transforms aspiring healthcare professionals. Students receive rigorous training in patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention through a curriculum that strategically balances classroom learning with hands-on clinical experiences. The program provides strong foundational skills for nursing practice, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Prospective students must meet academic requirements and may explore financial aid opportunities. As a Roman Catholic and military-friendly institution, the college supports diverse student backgrounds and career development goals.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The College of Saint Mary's LPN to BSN pathway provides licensed practical nurses an accelerated route to expand their professional credentials. This specialized program bridges critical knowledge gaps, enabling LPNs to advance their nursing expertise and career opportunities. Designed for working professionals, the curriculum covers sophisticated nursing practices, healthcare systems, and advanced patient care strategies. Admission requires an active LPN license and meeting specific academic standards. The program's flexible structure allows nurses to seamlessly transition from practical nursing to a more comprehensive bachelor's level understanding, positioning graduates for enhanced healthcare roles and increased professional mobility.
Omaha, NE - Private 4-year - creighton.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Nestled in Omaha, Creighton University's BSN program distinguishes itself through a comprehensive 128-credit curriculum that prioritizes holistic nursing education. Prospective students encounter a rigorous admissions process involving high school GPA and standardized test scores, ensuring a competitive cohort. The program's stellar 93% NCLEX pass rate underscores its academic excellence, while hands-on clinical experiences prepare students for diverse healthcare environments. Rooted in Roman Catholic traditions, the program emphasizes ethical practice and professional development. With small class sizes, students benefit from personalized instruction and mentorship. The university's hospital on-campus provides unique clinical exposure, enhancing practical skills and professional networking opportunities for aspiring nurses.
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 |
Online Learning - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website