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RN to MSN Programs in Nebraska

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Online RN to MSN Programs in Nebraska

A couple of well-regarded private Nebraska colleges offer online RN to MSN programs. Concentrations and admissions requirements are different for each program, so have a look at the school listings to learn if you’re eligible to apply. Here are a few extra points we wanted to mention:

  • Clarkson College: Clarkson has developed a number of online RN to MSN concentrations, including those in NP specialties, but all candidates should read the State Authorization & Licensure Information section carefully. The graduate nursing program is unavailable in a number of states. If you are eligible to apply, be aware that the RN to MSN pathway will include 1 campus visit for Nursing Health Care Administration and Nursing Education majors and up to 4 campus visits for Nurse Practitioner majors (NP students take part in on-campus weekends that involve hands-on clinical training.)
  • Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health: NMC is part of SARA, but we recommend that non-Nebraska residents check the State Authorization page for full details on the availability of distance programs. Generally speaking, clinical practicums can be fulfilled in a location that’s convenient to students. The format of online courses varies, but many classes include presentations, discussion boards, papers, tests, and other assignments. Some courses utilize weekly virtual class meetings to assist with learning; others allow you to study at your convenience.

Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Nebraska

This ranking of the most affordable Nebraska RN to MSN programs is based on per credit graduate tuition rates. But please use it only as a ballpark figure! You’ll notice that each program in our school listings has a different number of total credits, different fees, and different transfer policies. In addition, a number of them have separate undergraduate tuition rates for bridge coursework (e.g. NMC).

  1. Nebraska Wesleyan University: View Tuition Rates
  2. Bryan College of Health Sciences: View Tuition Rates
  3. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health: View Tuition Rates
  4. Clarkson College: View Tuition Rates

All of these are private schools, so tuition rates are the same for in-state and out-of-state residents (even in online programs). Having said that, Nebraska residents should be sure to ask about partnership & affiliate discounts and scholarships. For example, Clarkson offers a deeply discounted graduate tuition rate to employees of Nebraska Medicine Center.

Nebraska’s Healthcare Landscape

Nebraska is a big geographic state with a small-town feel. So you’ll find plenty of local RNs and APRNs who are willing to talk about the current healthcare situation.

Overall, Nebraska isn’t doing too badly. It approved a Medicaid expansion in 2018. It gets a good grade on the U.S. Rural Health Report Card (35% of the population lives in one of Nebraska’s 80 rural counties). It has been spared some of the trauma of the opioid crisis (drug deaths are low). And Nebraska NPs have considerable independence to practice.

But there’s always room for improvement. One place where future nurse leaders, nurse educators, and primary care NPs can make a difference is public health. According to data from America’s Health Rankings and State of Obesity, Nebraska has high prevalences of obesity and excessive drinking. Diabetes rates increased 25% from 2013-2018 and diabetes & hypertension are often among the leading causes of death.

Some of Nebraska’s healthcare experts are also concerned about access to care in rural areas.

  • According to 2019 HRSA data, Nebraska had 64 critical access hospitals, 144 rural health clinics, and 7 federally qualified health center sites located outside of urbanized areas.
  • Yet data from the Nebraska Rural Health Association (NeHRA) suggested that 39 out of 71 rural Nebraska hospitals had a 2% or less operating margin and 29 rural hospitals had negative operating margins in 2018.

Any closures may put added pressure on nurses working in rural health clinics.

Jobs for Nebraska RN to MSN Graduates

Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) keeps a watchful eye on job & wage data for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary. We especially like the employment maps on these pages, which contain all kinds of useful insights about state hotspots.

Having said that, Nebraska nurses will already know the drill! The primary hubs for APRN jobs in Nebraska are Omaha and Lincoln:

  • Omaha is the major center of employment for Nebraska NPs—almost 60% of nurse practitioners work in the metropolitan area.
  • Omaha employs around 52% of the state’s nursing instructors; Lincoln employs around 28%.

These two cities are also home to the Best Hospitals in Nebraska and nearly all of the state’s Magnet Facilities. Think of names like Nebraska Medicine-Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Bryan Medical Center, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, and CHI Health centers.

Interested in working in an independent practice in a rural area after graduation? Nebraska NPs have full practice authority. Nebraska NPs are recognized as primary care providers and are authorized to prescribe medications that fall within the NP’s scope of practice. After completing 2,000 hours of practice under a transition-to-practice agreement with a physician, Nebraska NPs may practice independently.

Rural NPs can also apply for the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program for Rural Health Professionals. This offers loan repayment assistance to certain healthcare professionals who agree to practice for a minimum of 3 years in a state-designated shortage area of Nebraska.

Career Resources for Future APRNs

Nebraska Nursing Job Boards

  • NNA Career Center: Job listings for Nebraska nurses, including NPs, nurse leaders, and nurse educators
  • NHA Job Link: Openings for healthcare jobs in Nebraska hospitals

Nebraska APRN Salary & Wage Data

Nebraska Nursing Organizations

APRN Licensure

Nebraska Nursing Associations & Coalitions

Nebraska Nursing Specialty Organizations

Nebraska RN to MSN School Listings

3 Schools Found

Bryan College of Health Sciences

Graduate Nursing Program

Lincoln, Nebraska

RN to MSN - Nurse Educator

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Nurse Leader

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

Nursing School Overview

Established in 1926, Bryan is a private College of Health Sciences in Lincoln that's affiliated with Bryan Health. Bryan Health operates the Bryan Medical Center, several outpatient clinics, and the Crete Area Medical Center, a full-service rural health clinic. In addition to offering the RN to MSN, Bryan runs a number of nursing programs, including a well-regarded DNAP and BSN. CRNA students rave about the access to clinical sites & experiences, small class sizes, and solid professors. And BSN alumni love the hands-on experiences, knowledgeable staff, and the emphasis on clinical coursework. Bryan also has one of the most affordable per credit graduate tuition rates in Nebraska for nursing programs.

RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum

Bryan's focused & hybrid program is designed for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. In addition to that academic qualification, candidates should have a minimum of 1 year of experience as an RN, a minimum 3.0 GPA on any undergraduate coursework, and a current, unencumbered RN license in the state where their practicums will occur. The application should also include a sample of academic writing, a goal statement, and 2 professional references. The entire RN to MSN program takes 3 years (3 semesters per year). In the first 2 semesters, students tackle 2-3 bridge courses (8-11 credits). The remaining 7 semesters are devoted to the 33-credit MSN. Both MSN concentrations include practicums and a capstone project. Bryan has developed a blended approach to learning: 75% of the coursework is online and 25% is in a classroom, with 3-4 campus visits per semester.

Clarkson College

College of Nursing

Omaha, Nebraska

RN to MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Nursing Education

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Nursing Health Care Administration

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

Nursing School Overview

Clarkson is a private college in Omaha that offers degrees in health sciences and a variety of nursing programs. In fact, it began its life as the first School of Nursing in Nebraska. It also maintains an educational partnership with Nebraska Medicine that gives Clarkson students access to a variety of clinical skills laboratories and other medical education buildings. According to U.S. News & World Report data, the online nursing graduate programs are small (e.g. average size of 15 students); competitive (e.g. average undergraduate GPA of 3.3); and intimate. NP students participate in on-campus weekends where they receive hands-on training in specified clinical courses and each student is assigned an individual mentor for the EBRP. We particularly like the fact that Clarkson publishes its program outcomes, including graduation rates and certification exam pass rates for FNP and AGPCNP programs. Independent reviews of Clarkson's online graduate programs are almost uniformly positive, with one caveat about an overuse of powerpoints for online learning, and the College seems to have a good reputation in the area. If you're intrigued by the RN to MSN or the RN to BSN, be sure to read up about Clarkson's Nursing Workforce Educational Grant. Nebraska Medicine Center employees are also eligible for a special partnership rate.

RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum

Clarkson's online program may interest folks who are pursuing NP specialties and want to earn a BSN along the way. Check the state authorization page to be sure you can apply. Candidates should have a diploma or associate degree in nursing from a NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited institution, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a valid, encumbered RN license in the state where practicing or clinical experiences will occur. The application will also need to include an essay, 2 professional references, and a current resume; NP applicants will need to fill out an Acute Care Skills Assessment form. Once accepted, students begin by taking BSN coursework. This consists of 12 hours of General Education courses, a 3 hour undergraduate support course, and 7 hours of transition courses. Transfer credits are allowed and work experience can be validated for one 400-level course through a portfolio review. Once all undergraduate requirements have been met, students can exit with the BSN or proceed to the online MSN. The length of the MSN will depend on the concentration - NP specialties are always the longest. The vast majority of the coursework is online. However, Nursing Health Care Administration and Nursing Education students have 1 campus visit and Nurse Practitioner majors have up to 4 campus visits. All RN to MSN students complete an Evidence-Based Research Project (EBRP) as part of the curriculum and take part in designated undergraduate service courses.

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Department of Nursing

Omaha, Nebraska

RN to MSN - Informatics

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Nurse Educator

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

RN to MSN - Nurse Executive

Offered Online

Curriculum InfoCost InfoHow To Apply

Nursing School Overview

NMC is a small, private Methodist college in Omaha that focuses on healthcare and nursing programs. 90% of instructors have advanced or terminal degrees and certifications within their field of expertise and many are involved in the community. For example, NMC's Center for Health Partnerships operates a Mobile Diabetes Unit in partnership with Cosmopolitan International. Because of the university's affiliation with the Nebraska Methodist Health System (MHS), a number of nursing students complete clinical rotations at the Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women's Hospital. NMC also offers a variety of scholarships, discounts, and tuition assistance programs to MHS employees. Reviews of NMC's program on independent websites and message boards are strong. MSN alumni say it's a great school with rigorous coursework and excellent faculty. And BSN students often mention that the nursing instructors go out of their way to help you.

RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum

NMC's online RN to MSN is tailor-made for aspiring nurse leaders and educators. Candidates are expected to have an associate degree or diploma in nursing from a professionally accredited or state-approved program, a minimum 3.0 GPA (applicants with lower GPAs will be considered on an individual basis), and a current and unencumbered RN license. The application will also need to include a written statement and resume. Non-Nebraska residents should check the page on State Authorization. No BSN is awarded in this program. Instead, all RN to MSN students complete 18 credit hours of undergraduate bridge courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better. After that, they can tackle the 36-credit online MSN. This master's degree can be completed in 30 months. Courses are 5-10 weeks long, with one week off before the start of the next course. All MSN concentrations include a capstone and practicums that can be done in the student's home community. There is a rolling application for this program, with starting terms in spring, summer, or fall. Part-time study plans are available.

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