RN to MSN Programs in Nebraska

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

• Annual Mean Wages for Nebraska Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
• Annual Mean Wages for Nebraska Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
• AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members

Nebraska Nursing Organizations

APRN Licensure

• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): Nursing Licensing

Nebraska Nursing Associations & Coalitions

• National Black Nurses Association (NBNA): Nebraska Chapter
• Nebraska Action Coalition (NAC)
• Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA)
• Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA)
• Nebraska Nurse Practitioners (NNP)

Nebraska Nursing Specialty Organizations

• American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Nebraska Chapter (APNA Nebraska)
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Nebraska (AWHONN Nebraska)
• Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NANA)
• Nebraska Association of Occupational Health Nurses (NAOHN)
• Nebraska Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (NAPAN)
• Nebraska Emergency Nurses Association (Nebraska ENA)
• Nebraska League for Nursing (NeLN)
• Nebraska Organization of Nurse Leaders (NONL)
• Nebraska School Nurse Association (NSNA)
• Nebraska State Student Nurses Association (NSSNA)